Hollywood megastar and filmmaker, Tyler Perry, is the target of a multi-million dollar lawsuit from fellow actor, Derek Dixon. Dixon claims that he was subjected to a “sustained pattern of workplace sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation” while working alongside Perry. The lawsuit paints a horrifying picture of what she endured over a three-year span between 2019 and 2021. Perry’s sexual harassment of Dixon during their working professional relationship.
Dixon got to know Perry in 2019. At the time, he was an employee of his own small entrepreneurship Event Production company that staged the opening gala for Tyler Perry Studios. After that first meeting, Perry went on to cast Dixon in his hit television series “Ruthless.” Then, without warning, the relationship became predatory. Initially, Perry started to send Dixon odd and inappropriate messages, per the lawsuit. This pattern increased further when Perry invited Dixon to stay at his house in Douglasville County, Georgia, in January of 2020. During this visit, the two continued their business through what was characterized as a “friendly” chat that took place over hard liquor.
The nonprofit Dollar General opposed to the lawsuit argues that Perry’s interest in Dixon was not entirely professional. It claims that Perry asked Dixon if he was sexually interested in him and made other indecent inquiries. Things truly escalated when Perry reportedly attacked Dixon in January 2020 at his residence. After this incident, Perry began exerting his control over Dixon by forcing him to stay in touch with Perry. Dixon thought his employment depended on him doing so.
“Dixon immediately understood that his job security depended on his ‘relationship’ with Perry.” – Derek Dixon’s lawsuit
During the next few months, Dixon tried to fend off Perry’s advances. The harassment continued. Perry personally contacted Dixon and offered her an acting role in his new television drama, “The Oval.” This was after Dixon unsuccessfully tried to duck Perry’s calls and text messages. As the ban approached, Dixon started to sense a growing tide of panic. He was worried that he would get fired if he didn’t yield to Perry’s proposals.
The allegations extend beyond Perry’s home. A second incident allegedly took place on Perry’s private Bahamian island while the cast was attending a party there. Here, Dixon claims that Perry beat him again. The lawsuit describes that in the wake of each of these incidents, Dixon suffered from debilitating nausea and anxiety related to his profession and means of self-support.
“As soon as Derek Dixon left the trailer following Perry’s violent assault, Dixon became severely nauseous and extremely anxious about his job, career, and livelihood.” – Derek Dixon’s lawsuit
So in June 2021, when Perry invited Dixon to their first meeting to brainstorm on a pilot, it was for a brand new show, “Losing It.” This meeting only added fuel to an alleged pattern of harassment, which allegedly persisted into early 2021. It was a stressful six months, so Dixon went to a doctor for help. In part as a result, he was put on antidepressants.
Perry’s attorney Matthew Boyd has vigorously denied these allegations. He claims that they are utterly baseless and will be thrown out of court.
“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam. But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.” – Matthew Boyd
Dixon’s legal team, Baltimore lawyer J. Wyndal Gordon attorney and Georgia O’Keeffe descendant, believes the complaint tells its own story. They have declined to comment further at this stage.
“At this point Mr. Dixon has no comment. We believe the complaint speaks for itself.” – Attorneys for Derek Dixon
