LagosExplorer reports: Hollywood is in turmoil as billionaire filmmaker Tyler Perry faces a staggering $260 million lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon, who starred in Perry’s hit BET series The Oval. The shocking case has sent waves across the global entertainment industry, with accusations of sexual assault, harassment, and retaliation threatening to damage Perry’s powerful media empire.
Dixon, best known for his role as Dale in The Oval and appearances in the spin-off Ruthless, alleges that Perry used his influence to manipulate and coerce him, promising career opportunities while subjecting him to unwanted advances. According to the lawsuit, the alleged abuse escalated into physical assaults, some of which Dixon claims took place at Perry’s private residence.
The actor further claims that his refusal to submit led to professional retaliation, including being written out of The Oval. Beyond career damage, Dixon details severe emotional and physical tolls, including insomnia, stomach distress, anxiety, depression, burnout, low cortisol levels, and a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dixon first reported his experience to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2024, but says he was left with no choice but to pursue legal action after receiving no resolution. “I will not stay silent,” Dixon said, insisting that his fight is not just about personal justice but also about exposing systemic abuses in Hollywood.
Perry, the billionaire creator of the Madea franchise and owner of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, has strongly denied the allegations. His lawyer, Matthew Boyd, dismissed the lawsuit as a “scam” and vowed to defend Perry’s reputation in court.
The lawsuit comes at a time when Perry, one of the most powerful Black filmmakers in the world, is hailed for his contributions to African-American storytelling and philanthropy. But this legal battle could reshape public perception of a man often celebrated as a Hollywood trailblazer.