US film and TV giant Tyler Perry has been sued for $260m (£194m) by an actor who has accused the mogul of sexually assaulting him while working on his TV shows.
Derek Dixon has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles accusing Perry of using his influence in the entertainment industry to create a “coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic” while he was acting on ‘The Oval’ and ‘Ruthless’.
He alleged Perry promised him a successful acting career but then subjected him to “escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, and professional retaliation” when he didn’t reciprocate Perry’s “unwanted advances”.
Tyler Perry’s lawyer denied the allegations and called the lawsuit a “scam” to make money.
“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam. But Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
Attorney Matthew Boyd
Dixon said he met Perry in 2019 at a work event for Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, and the pair talked over several months about an acting career.
The lawsuit stated that Perry also allegedly made numerous sexual comments and remarks about wanting a sexual relationship, and made several advances on Dixon, which he rejected.
Tyler Perry offered Dixon a role in his show ‘Ruthless’, then later in ‘The Oval’. But the lawsuit said: “Mr Perry made it clear to Dixon that if Dixon ignored Perry or failed to engage with the sexual innuendos, Dixon’s character would ‘die’ in the next season.”
The case claimed Perry “always held this over Mr Dixon’s head, implying that [his character] ‘Dale’ would survive if Dixon kept Perry ‘happy'”.
The lawsuit cites several incidents where Perry allegedly sexually assaulted Dixon. The actor accused Perry of interrogating him over his sexual interests in a trailer on the set of ‘The Oval’, before pinning him to a wall and fondling him.
Dixon said he refused the advance and left the trailer. Dixon said to stop the continued harassment, he elected to leave his role on ‘The Oval’ and declined a job from Perry to work as a writer.
Alleged Text Messages Between Tyler Perry, Derek Dixon Surface
Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, screenshots of private text exchanges began circulating online.
These messages, presented as evidence in the court filings, include highly charged content, such as “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?”—which many are interpreting as suggestive of coercion.
The timing of the leak—following public release of the legal complaint—has raised questions about whether it was an intentional move to sway public perception or intimidate involved parties.
Legal observers note that leaking unverified private messages can expose both Perry and Dixon to additional legal risks, including allegations of defamation, privacy invasion, or tampering with ongoing litigation.
Meanwhile, Perry’s legal advisor Matthew Boyd continues to deny all accusations, branding the lawsuit a “fabricated scam.”
The controversy—combining a high-stakes legal claim with a leak of sensitive private messages—has ignited public and media debate about power, consent, and digital ethics in Hollywood.
Neither Tyler Perry nor Derek Dixon has released an official statement regarding the leaked messages. Perry’s legal team and public relations representatives have also remained quiet, which is somewhat expected given the early stage of the controversy.
However, many media insiders believe that a public response is being carefully drafted behind the scenes. Known for his strategic communication, Perry may wait until all facts are gathered before addressing the matter.
This silence, while understandable, has also led to even more speculation and online narratives that could spiral out of control.
This controversy shines a light on the bigger issue of celebrity privacy in the digital age. With smartphones, cloud backups, and social media around the clock, even the most personal moments can be captured, stored, and potentially exposed.
For celebrities like Perry, who value their privacy and carefully manage their public image, such leaks are not just violations — they’re personal attacks.
The Tyler Perry–Derek Dixon text message saga is yet another reminder that no one is truly safe from the reach of digital exposure.
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