Tyler Perry Sued For $260M By ‘Oval’ Actor For Alleged Sexual Assault

The Oval actor, Derek Dixon, has filed a $260,000,000 lawsuit against media mogul Tyler Perry, accusing the acclaimed filmmaker of sexual harassment, assault, and coercion. Per PEOPLE, the suit was filed on Friday (June 13) in Los Angeles and details Dixon’s time starring as Dale on Perry’s BET+ series Ruthless and The Oval.

In the complaint, Dixon alleges that Perry used the promise of career advancement to create what he describes as a “coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic.” He claims the initial excitement of working with one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures quickly turned dark when unwanted advances began to escalate. The actor says that after failing to reciprocate Perry’s alleged sexual innuendos, he experienced retaliation — both physically, played out in storylines of his character, and professionally.

According to Dixon, Perry first offered him a small part on Ruthless in late 2019 after months of text messages that mixed career opportunities with personal conversations. By January 2020, Dixon claims he was sexually assaulted at Perry’s home and a month later, Perry allegedly promoted him to a series regular on The Oval. However, Dixon states that Perry made it known his character’s survival was contingent upon his personal compliance. The complaint references the season one finale, where Dale was shot four times, allegedly symbolizing Perry’s control over Dixon’s future on the show.

Dixon also alleges another incident of groping took place during a cast trip to the Bahamas in October 2020. By December of that year, he allegedly sought medical help, with a physician reportedly diagnosing him with severe symptoms of stress and prescribing him Zoloft for anxiety and depression.

The actor claims that another assault took place in June 2021 during a meeting at Perry’s home to discuss Dixon’s own pilot, Losing It, which Perry allegedly had shown interest in producing. Following the alleged incident, Dixon says his mental and physical health deteriorated, leading to a diagnosis of PTSD. He also asserts that representatives for Perry — referred to in the suit as “fixers” — offered him a raise and a production deal in exchange for his silence and continued participation in The Oval.

Though Dixon ultimately returned to the show, he exited before its final season, citing emotional distress. He claims this move cost him nearly $400,000 in lost income.