Tyler Perry Faces Stunning $260M Sexual Assault Lawsuit from ‘The Oval’ Star

Tyler Perry is under fire after a jaw-dropping $260 million lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles by actor Derek Dixon, who played Dale on BET’s hit shows The Oval and Ruthless. The explosive allegations include sexual harassment, assault, and career retaliation.

THE ALLEGATIONS: WHEN FAME TURNS DARK

According to court documents filed June 13, 2025, Dixon says it all started in September 2019 when he met Perry at a studio launch event. Perry allegedly promised to help Dixon’s career—and it came with disturbing strings attached.

• January 2020: Perry allegedly invited Dixon to his home inside the Tyler Perry Studios compound, where the first assault took place.

• Text Messages & Control: While Dixon became a regular on The Oval, Perry allegedly sent suggestive messages implying his character’s survival depended on sexual compliance.

• Bahamas Cast Trip (Oct 2020): Another alleged assault took place while on a cast vacation, followed by a similar incident in June 2021, just as Dixon was developing his pilot show Losing It.

Dixon says these events left him with severe PTSD, anxiety, and depression, and he began taking Zoloft in late 2020 to cope.

RETALIATION & CHARACTER DEATH?

The lawsuit claims Perry retaliated when Dixon pushed back, including killing off his character as leverage. Dixon says he lost nearly $400,000 in career and brand deals as a result.

He is suing for quid pro quo harassment, sexual battery, emotional distress, and retaliation—and he’s demanding a jury trial.

PERRY’S CAMP FIRES BACK

Attorney Matthew Boyd, representing Perry, slammed the claims as “fabricated lies” and a “shake-down.” The statement made it clear that Perry and his team are confident these “false” allegations will not hold up in court.

BET has yet to release a public statement, and the entertainment world is buzzing with speculation. Dixon’s complaint comes at a time when more actors and creatives are speaking out about abuse behind closed doors in Black-led productions.

Dixon’s filing paints a picture of trauma that went unchecked. He describes insomnia, stomach issues, and emotional trauma—a stark contrast to the glamorous life portrayed on screen.