Actor From "The Oval" Accuses Tyler Perry of Misconduct; Perry's Legal Team Refutes Allegations

A lawsuit has been filed against Tyler Perry, the creator of the TV drama "The Oval," by actor Derek Dixon. According to the court documents submitted in Los Angeles Superior Court, Dixon alleges that Perry engaged in persistent sexual misconduct and harassment, leveraging his power in the entertainment industry to silence Dixon until now.

Matthew Boyd, representing Perry legally, firmly rejected these accusations in a declaration shared with CBS News on Tuesday.

In Boyd's statement, he described the accusations as a "ploy for extortion," expressing confidence that the fabricated allegations would not hold up.

Dixon was featured in 85 episodes throughout the six-season span of "The Oval" on BET, with his recent roles appearing in the latest installments earlier this year. Dixon's legal action demands a minimum of $260 million in recompense.

The lawsuit accuses Perry of using his prominent standing in show business to forge a manipulative dynamic, offering Dixon career boosts and creative roles while subjecting him to growing sexual pressures when Dixon didn’t welcome the advances.

The accusations detail that during Dixon’s regular appearances on "The Oval," Perry controlled his job, pay, and potential creative projects.

TMZ initially reported the lawsuit on Tuesday, stating that Perry's attention was first caught by Dixon in 2019 at a party hosted by Perry, leading to an audition opportunity.

Dixon began with minor parts in the series "Ruthless" before progressing to a significant role in "The Oval," a political drama created by Perry.

The lawsuit mentions unwanted advances through sexually suggestive text messages from Perry, providing supposed screenshots of these exchanges.

One alleged message read, "What do I need to do for us to have unashamed intimacy?"

Dixon alleges in the lawsuit that the promise of expanded roles in the show coincided with Perry’s escalated sexual demands.

Although Dixon attempted to maintain a cordial relationship while setting boundaries, he claims that Perry insinuated consequences if he failed to engage, like his character being written out of the show.

Further, the lawsuit accuses Perry of physically assaulting Dixon multiple times, involving unwanted stripping of Dixon’s clothing and attempts to violate him.

Despite Dixon's explicit refusals, which were initially ignored, he managed to defuse the situation, switching topics to divert Perry's attention, as the lawsuit narrates.

The day following one such incident, as per the lawsuit, Perry expressed regret and proposed collaborating on a TV project Dixon wanted to produce.

Dixon later received a pay raise, which the lawsuit claims was a strategy to suppress him.

Concern over the potential demise of his character inhibited Dixon from speaking out, according to the legal filing.

Although Perry acquired the rights to Dixon's pilot titled "Losing It," the lawsuit asserts that he never intended to market it but used it as a means to exert control over Dixon.

Dixon reportedly moved from Atlanta, where Perry’s studios are located, to Los Angeles, seeking distance from Perry. However, the unwanted contact allegedly continued.

In 2024, Dixon approached the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission with a formal complaint, yet allegedly, the show’s producers did not initiate an inquiry, prompting Dixon to exit the series.

Individuals who claim sexual abuse are typically anonymous unless they publicly self-identify, as Dixon has.

"The Oval" is among the many series that 55-year-old Perry has spearheaded, alongside his fame from the "Madea" film franchise and his vast influence in TV and cinema work. Perry has acted in films like "Gone Girl" and "Don’t Look Up."