Derek Alexander Dixon, A trained actor And Writer Who has appeared on BET, Is now In the news. On June 13, 2025, He filed a huge $260 million lawsuit. He says That Tyler Perry sexually harassed and assaulted him. He also claims Perry Punished Him when he refused his Advances. This article explains who Dixon is, What he says happened, And Why This case is important for the way people are treated In the film Industry.
Background: From Raleigh To BET Spotlight
Derek Dixon was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. He studied acting in New York at Marymount Manhattan College and the Terry Schreiber Studio.
He is also a writer and won a big award in 2016 for his plays. Some of his plays include Homewrecker, Red Snow, and Work of Art. Dixon also worked on stage plays like The Lion in Winter, Romeo and Juliet, and The Boys in the Band. He became more well-known when he played Dale in two BET shows: Ruthless and The Oval. These shows made him popular, and he appeared in over 100 episodes.
The Lawsuit: Timeline And Allegations
On June 13, 2025, Dixon filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles. He is asking for $260 million. He says Perry sexually harassed him, touched him without permission, caused him mental stress, and punished him unfairly at work.
Here is a timeline of what Dixon says happened:
- September 2019: Dixon met Perry at the opening of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Perry started sending him flirty text messages.
- November 2019: Dixon joined the cast of Ruthless. The messages got more intense. Then he got a role in The Oval. Dixon says Perry made it clear that if he wanted his role to continue, he had to give in to Perry’s sexual demands.
- January 2020: Dixon says Perry sexually assaulted him in his home in Georgia. He says Perry touched him and forced himself on him in a trailer.
- October 2020: Dixon says Perry groped him again during a cast trip to the Bahamas.
- June 2021: During a meeting about Dixon’s pilot show Losing It, he says Perry assaulted him again.
- December 2020 – June 2024: Dixon says he suffered from PTSD, anxiety, and stomach issues. He was prescribed Zoloft.
- June 2024: Dixon filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). He left the final season of The Oval and says he lost about $400,000.
Coercion And Retaliation
The Quid-Pro-Quo Claims
Dixon says Perry promised him more money, Help With his new TV show, And keeping His character on the Show. But these things were only offered If Dixon gave In to sexual Demands. After Dixon said no, he says Perry removed his role from the show. In the lawsuit, Dixon accuses Perry of many things under California law. These include sexual battery, violence at work, mental stress, and unfair treatment. He is asking for punishment money and wants a jury to hear the case.
Tyler Perry’s Response
Tyler Perry’s lawyer, Matthew Boyd, says the lawsuit is fake. He called it a “scam” and says Perry will not be blackmailed. He says none of the claims are true.
Why It Matters
Power, Consent And Accountability In Hollywood
This case shows how powerful people in Hollywood may take advantage of less powerful workers.
It adds to the #MeToo movement, which talks about sexual abuse in the entertainment world.
Dixon says this experience affected his mental health. He now has PTSD and depression, and he lost a lot of money. He compares his case to other big abuse cases, like Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, and Kevin Spacey. It shows a bigger problem in the film industry.
Conclusion
Derek Dixon’s lawsuit is serious. It talks about abuse of power, mental health struggles, and the need for fairness in the entertainment business. Whether the court finds Tyler Perry guilty or not, this case is a reminder that all workers even in Hollywood deserve to feel safe, respected, and heard.