Entertainment mogul Tyler Perry has been named in a $260 million lawsuit filed Friday in Los Angeles with claim that he sexually harassed an actor.
The famous movie producer, who is being talked about for his latest Netflix movie "Straw," has now been sued for sexual assault by a cast member in his hit show "The Oval."
Actor Derek Dixon said in legal docs that Tyler Perry, 55, aggressively tried to establish an sexual relationship between them when he appeared on two of Tyler Perry's programs on BET: 'Ruthless' and 'The Oval'.
Dixon's accusations come right on the heels of the movie producer's roaring success with his latest movie, which was dropped on Netflix titled "Straw", the film features Taraji P. Henson as the lead character playing the role of Janiyah Wiltkinson.
Since its release on Netflix, "Straw" has sparked a flurry of talks focused on the filmmaker's talent. While some view the story as his finest movie yet, others think it reinforces the narrative of him portraying one more Black woman who cannot piece her life together in yet another of his movies.
The stats for the movie are living up to the hype as well. In the week of June 2 to June 8, "Straw" reportedly gathered over 45 million hours of viewing from subscribers on Netflix in just two days following its release on June 6.
Data on Netflix also shows that the movie was in the top 10 in 81 countries worldwide.
Tyler Perry's accuser, Derek Dixon, claimed the assault began in 2020 after the filmmaker approached him to offer him a role in one or more of his productions.
Dixon claimed that after Perry took his number and promised to get in touch in 2019, he then offered him a two episode role in a show titled "Ruthless."
Afterward, the producer reportedly invited him to his home back in 2020, with hopes that a friendship between them would lead to more acting roles, he accepted the offer.
While there, Dixon recalled passing the night in the guest room as he was too intoxicated. As the night went on, Perry reportedly got into bed with him and started rubbing his thighs; although he rejected his advances, Perry remaimed determined to persuade him.
Dixon disclosed revisiting Perry in 2020 in Atlanta. What reportedly began as a warm exchange turned into sexual charges as Perry reportedly grabbed the actor's throat and said suggestive words.
The lawsuit also carried evidence of text messages exchanged between Perry and Dixon where he reportedly said, "No straight man would be going on walks with you or cooking dinner for you unless they wanted to f-ck you. I would f-ck you."
Some screenshots from the alleged texts:
After these series of alleged encounters, Dixon claimed he forwarded a complaint to the Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission in June 2024. He even quit "The Oval" based on finding the constant sexual harassment unbearable.
He is now suing the producer and his firm, Tyler Perry Studios, for quid pro quo, workplace sexual harassment, sexual assault, and battery. Dixon also wants $260 million in damages.
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