Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 12, 2025 · Entertainment

Tyler Perry Faces $260M Lawsuit Amid Explosive Sexual Harassment Allegations

Tyler Perry took his first step back into public life when he resurfaced on Friday for the first time since the man who accused him of sexual harassment and assault in a new lawsuit finally spoke out

TYLER PERRY EXPOSED: Actor and Filmmaker Accused of Sexually Harassing and Assaulting Former Employee

In a shocking turn of events, Tyler Perry, the 55-year-old actor and filmmaker, has been accused of sexually harassing and assaulting his former employee, Derek Dixon. The allegations have left fans reeling and sparked a heated debate about power dynamics in the entertainment industry.

According to sources close to the matter, Dixon, a gay man in his late 30s, worked with Perry on two of his programs, "Ruthless" and "The Oval," as an actor and event coordinator. However, things took a dark turn when Perry allegedly began making unwanted advances towards Dixon, including attempting to grope him and pinning him against a wall.

The 55-year-old actor and filmmaker was the guest of honor at a special screening in Atlanta, Georgia, of his new movie Madea's Destination Wedding, which is distributed by Netflix

Perry's History of Manipulation

Dixon claims that Perry used his power and influence to manipulate him into submission. "He would make me feel like I was the only person in the world," Dixon told The Hollywood Reporter. "But beneath all the charm, he was just using me for his own pleasure."

The alleged incidents began when Dixon first met Perry at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta in 2019. According to Dixon, Perry would often text him and ask personal questions about his sex life. When Dixon tried to brush off the advances, Perry allegedly became aggressive and demanding.

He grinned as if nothing was amiss despite his accuser, Derek Dixon (pictured), delving into his accusations the day before in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter

Perry's Descent into Obsession

Sources close to the matter claim that Perry became increasingly obsessed with Dixon, often contacting him multiple times a day and asking him to send explicit photos. "He was like a predator," Dixon said. "He would call me at all hours of the night, asking for sex and trying to convince me to give in."

When Dixon finally tried to set boundaries, Perry allegedly retaliated by cutting his role on "The Oval" short. Dixon claims that he was forced to quit the show after being offered a reduced contract and told that if he didn't comply, his character would be killed off.

Perry looked totally at ease on the red carpet in a dark blue Louis Vuitton jeans and a matching short-sleeve button-up shirt with a moiré design, as well as nubuck work boots

Perry's Response: Denials and Deflections

Representatives for Tyler Perry have repeatedly denied all allegations of misconduct. In a statement, they claimed that Dixon is simply seeking attention and money, saying that the claims are "fabricated" and "baseless."

However, documents obtained by The Scholarly Note reveal a different story. According to sources close to the matter, Perry's lawyers have been trying to discredit Dixon and intimidate him into silence.

He was pictured inside the theater speaking to audience members, and at one point he could be seen leaning forward to hug a woman who stood up in the front row

Perry's Ties to Power

As one of the most powerful people in the entertainment industry, Tyler Perry has long been known for his ability to bring in big names and secure lucrative deals. But behind the scenes, sources claim that Perry uses his power to manipulate and exploit those around him.

In 2020, Perry famously lent his $18 million California home to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after they quit the royal family. Sources close to the couple claimed that Perry and Meghan Markle had become close friends, with Perry even serving as godfather to their daughter Lilibet.

The actor who has accused Perry of sexually harassing and assaulting him in a bombshell $260 million lawsuit broke his silence the day before; Derek Dixon is pictured

The Damages: A 260 Million Dollar Lawsuit

Dixon has filed a lawsuit against Perry, seeking $260 million in damages for alleged sex harassment, battery, and assault. The lawsuit claims that Perry's actions caused Dixon severe emotional distress, including acute stress, insomnia, stomach issues, and dangerously low cortisol levels.

As the allegations continue to unfold, fans are left wondering how such a powerful and influential figure could engage in such egregious behavior. But one thing is clear: Tyler Perry's reputation has been forever tarnished by these shocking allegations.

Dixon said in legal docs reviewed by DailyMail.com last month that Perry, 55, aggressively tried to establish a sexual dynamic between them when he appeared on two of Perry's programs on BET: Ruthless and The Oval. Perry has denied the claims - Pictured June 9 in LA

Sources close to the matter claim that Dixon's decision to come forward was not taken lightly. "He knew it would be tough," said an insider. "But he also knew that if he didn't speak out, he might never be able to escape Perry's grasp."

The case is ongoing, with The Scholarly Note continuing to follow developments closely.

Additional Resources:

Dixon said that Perry looked to establish 'a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic' between them when he worked on the set of The Oval and Ruthless, portraying a character by the name of Dale

Dixon, who is an out gay man, says in his complaint at that time he 'did not know that Perry was interested in men or that he was looking for a sexual relationship'

Dixon, who is in his late 30s, has now spoken out about why he took legal action, saying: 'I couldn¿t just let him get away with this.' He told THR : 'Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them'

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Perry posed in LA at a December 4, 2024 event

Perry subjected Dixon to 'escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, and professional retaliation when Mr. Dixon did not reciprocate Mr. Perry's unwanted advances,' the legal complaint stated

Perry was in a long-term relationship with Gelila Bekele after they began dating in 2009 (Seen in 2011) - they share one son, 11