Tyler Perry is facing another lawsuit, but this time it's not about copyright issues or contractual disputes—it's a sexual harassment case.

This comes after a former actor who was cast by Tyler in his series Ruthless and The Oval, Derek Dixon, has dragged the playwright and film-maker to court over what he describes as a pattern of sexual harassment, assault and professional retaliation on Perry’s sets.

Dixon wants $260M in damages.

Dixon said his stint with Tyler Perry was masked in a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic that began in late 2019 and continued until mid‑2021.

Currently, documents obtained by the court from multiple outlets suggest that Dixon first met Perry at a studio event in Atlanta.

There, Perry offered him a mini role in Ruthless, after which he visited the filmmaker in his home following an invitation in January 2020. He claims he had too much to drink, hence was offered a guest room to get rest, only to wake to Perry climbing into his bed and touching his thighs.

Although Dixon rejected the advance that night, he soon secured a more prominent role on The Oval. Dixon alleges that Perry began sending suggestive texts and used Dixon’s character arc as leverage.

The lawsuit describes messages such as “No straight man would be going on walks with you or cooking dinner for you unless they wanted to fk you. I would fk you.” Dixon says he feared losing his job if he refused Perry’s advances.

Matters escalated during a second visit to Perry’s Atlanta home when Perry allegedly asked Dixon, “If you like it rough in bed”, then grabbed him by the throat.

About a year later, Dixon said in June 2021, Perry came to his guest house bedroom, yanked down his underwear, groped his buttocks and coerced him with “Relax and just let it happen.”

After enduring two more years of harassment, Dixon filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in June 2024 and left The Oval.

According to Dixon, his abrupt exit from He says the end of his role cost him nearly $400,000 in earnings. His lawsuit accuses Perry and Tyler Perry Studios of quid pro quo harassment, sexual assault and battery, and seeks $260 million in damages.

Tyler Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, dismisses the claims as “fabricated” and suggests Dixon’s true motive is financial gain. “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,” Boyd said in a statement.

Dixon’s lawyer, Jonathan J. Delshad, responded that the lawsuit “speaks for itself,” leaving the matter poised for a high‑stakes legal battle that could have major implications for one of Hollywood’s most prolific creators.