Derek Dixon breaks silence on $260 million sexual harassment lawsuit against Tyler Perry; fears billionaire will 'continue doing this without any major consequences'
Actor Derek Dixon has broken his silence for the first time since filing a $260 million lawsuit accusing media mogul Tyler Perry of sexual harassment and assault.
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dixon revealed that he filed reasons for coming forward and shared more about the alleged incidents that led to the multi-million dollar legal battle. Perry’s legal team has called the claims a “scam,” but Dixon says the decision to go public was not made lightly.
“Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them,” Dixon told THR. “My goal is to help ensure that the next generation of actors and creatives don’t have to choose between their dreams and their dignity.”
Although refraining from commenting on Perry’s sexuality, he said, “he should not be speaking to any of his employees—whether they be men or women, gay, straight, or bisexual—about their sexual preferences, how often they’re having sex, or physically assaulting them.”
Dixon recounted sharing a pilot script with Perry, who initially expressed interest in producing it. He admitted that his excitement about the project and gratefulness "clouded my self-respect."
One of the most serious allegations in the lawsuit involves an incident Dixon claims took place at Perry’s house. He alleges that during a private meeting about the pilot, the mogul attempted to remove his clothes without consent, which he describes as an attempted sexual assault. Fearing retaliation and damage to his acting career, Dixon said, "I was too afraid to come forward. I knew it would be awful. And I was right."
In June 2024, Dixon resigned from his role on Perry's show, The Oval and filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which remains under investigation. He shared his reason for taking the legal route, saying, "At the end of the day, my absolute fear is that he will be able to continue doing this without any major consequences."
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dixon revealed that he filed reasons for coming forward and shared more about the alleged incidents that led to the multi-million dollar legal battle. Perry’s legal team has called the claims a “scam,” but Dixon says the decision to go public was not made lightly.
“Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them,” Dixon told THR. “My goal is to help ensure that the next generation of actors and creatives don’t have to choose between their dreams and their dignity.”
Although refraining from commenting on Perry’s sexuality, he said, “he should not be speaking to any of his employees—whether they be men or women, gay, straight, or bisexual—about their sexual preferences, how often they’re having sex, or physically assaulting them.”
Dixon recounted sharing a pilot script with Perry, who initially expressed interest in producing it. He admitted that his excitement about the project and gratefulness "clouded my self-respect."
One of the most serious allegations in the lawsuit involves an incident Dixon claims took place at Perry’s house. He alleges that during a private meeting about the pilot, the mogul attempted to remove his clothes without consent, which he describes as an attempted sexual assault. Fearing retaliation and damage to his acting career, Dixon said, "I was too afraid to come forward. I knew it would be awful. And I was right."
In June 2024, Dixon resigned from his role on Perry's show, The Oval and filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which remains under investigation. He shared his reason for taking the legal route, saying, "At the end of the day, my absolute fear is that he will be able to continue doing this without any major consequences."
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