Actor Derek Dixon, best known for portraying the role of Dave on the Oval and Ruthless
as accused Tyler Perry of sexual harassment and assault. He has filed a lawsuit against Tyler and as per that, Perry abused his power to sexually exploit him. Dixon, who worked in many episodes of ‘the Oval’, seeks $260 million in damages. In this article, we will shed more light on this situation and know the viewpoints of both actors.
Who is Derek Dixon?
Born Derek Alexander Dixon, Derek Dixon is from Raleigh, North Carolina, where he studied at Marymount Manhattan College and acted at The Terry Schreiber Studio in New York. He is best known for his role as Dave in the Oval and Ruthless. Besides that, he is also the co-winner of the 2016 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award.
He is a part of many plays like Romeo and Juliet, Boys in the Band, The Lion in Winter, etc. He is also a writer having written several full-length plays. Those include Work of Art, Green Light, Pictures of People, and Homewrecker. In 2015, he became a part of Working Title Playwrights.
When did Dixon Meet Tyler Perry?
Dixon met Tyler Perry at a party in 2019 when he was working with an events company. Over there, he got the role on ‘the Restless.’ After that, he also received a role on ‘The Oval’, to play the character of Dale. He portrayed the character in more than 100 episodes before quitting the show.
Tyler Perry is Sued by Dixon
Dixon filed a lawsuit on June 13 against Tyler Perry, an actor, writer, and director. Tyler acted in top movies such as the “Madea” franchise as well as the new Netflix thriller “Straw”. As per the lawsuit, Dixon is alleging sexual harassment, work environment harassment, sexual assault and battery, and more on Tyler.
As per the complaint received by USA Today on June 17, Dixon seeks $260 million due to allegedly being targeted by Perry. Dixon says that Tyler sought “a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic with him. He says that Perry approached him with career opportunities and cast him in BET+ show “Ruthless.
Perry Subjected Dixon to Escalating Sexual Harassment
As per the words of Perry, Tyler subjected him to more sexual harassment including assault and battery. After that, there was also professional retaliation when Dixon did not reciprocate Perry’s unwanted advances. Dixon claims that all these led to him quitting season 6.
Tyler Perry’s Lawyer Accuses Dizon of Scamming his Client
Perry’s lawyer denied all the allegations and shared the following statement with USA Today.
“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,” said attorney Matthew Boyd. “But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
Tyler Perry ‘provided vulnerable men with acting positions’, expected ‘gratification’
Dixon says that while meeting his abuser, Tyler Perry, he got the chance to audition for one of his TV projects. After that, in January, 2020, Perry allegedly made his first advancement towards Dixon. He clearly explained all these important details in his lawsuit against Perry.
Perry ‘The Powerful Media Mogul’
Dixon described Perry as a ‘powerful media mogul’ and leveled his claims of alleged “sustained pattern of workplace sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation. Throughout the lawsuit, he provided claims of sexual issues via texts and screenshots.
Dixon’s lawsuit says the following: “Using his influence, Mr. Perry provided vulnerable men with acting positions, roles, show contracts, cars, and money. Once the object of his desire was hooked, Tyler Perry would then put them in fear of losing it all unless they engaged in Mr. Perry’s perverted desire for sexual gratification.”
Nixon’s Claims
Nixon’s lawsuit further continues by saying, “Mr. Perry would easily “’ill off’ a character in a show of an actor who failed to indulge Perry’s sexual fantasies.” In turn, “Fearing about his career’s downfall or end, Dixon put up with these comments and continued to maintain that he was not the sexual type,” the actor alleges.
Dixon Tried to Keep Perry at Bay
As per Nixon’s lawsuit, “Dixon kept informing Perry that he was not into sex in order to keep Perry at bay while at the same time not insulting the person who was dangling his career in front of him.” In the complaint, it is also alleged that Perry never took no for an answer and often followed it up with suggestive texts and other comments. After this Dixon was cast in “The Oval.”
Dixon Also Wrote a Script for a Show
The complaint claims that Dixon also penned a script for a show called “Losing It,” and Perry agreed to help produce the pilot. According to the lawsuit, Dixon visited Perry’s house in June 2021 to discuss the show; but, Perry then used the circumstances to try to sexually assault him in the guest house.
According to the lawsuit, Perry promised once more to make the show, called to apologize a few days later, blamed testosterone supplements, and once more promised. The lawsuit claims Perry purchased the rights to the show but never meant to run it. The lawsuit says Perry was merely using the show as a quid pro quo, dragging its production across Dixon’s head like the sword of Damocles.
Final Thoughts
Derek Dixon’s lawsuit against Tyler Perry exposes grave accusations that challenge power relations in the entertainment business. As the case develops, it will challenge public opinion as well as legal arguments, redefining discussions in Hollywood on consent, impact, and responsibility. Only time will tell if the lawsuit is successful and if it’s true, what happens to Perry’s career after this.
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