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Tyler Perry emerges for first time since male accuser spoke out amid bombshell $260M sexual harassment lawsuit

BBG News

Tyler Perry made his initial return to public view when he emerged on Friday, marking the first occasion since the individual accusing him of sexual misconduct and abuse in a fresh lawsuit publicly addressed the allegations.

At a unique showing in Atlanta, Georgia, the 55-year-old actor-director was the star attraction for his freshly released film on Netflix titled “Madea’s Destination Wedding.

Despite Derek Dixon airing his accusations against him in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter the previous day, he maintained a cheerful demeanor, as if there were no issues at hand.

‘I couldn’t just let [Perry] get away with this,’ the actor told the publication.

On the red carpet, Perry exuded an effortless cool in a dark blue denim outfit from Louis Vuitton, complete with a short-sleeved shirt boasting a moiré pattern, and finished off with stylish nubuck boots.

In the theater, he was spotted interacting with spectators, and at a particular moment, he appeared to embrace a woman who stood up in the front section.

According to documents obtained by DailyMail.com last month, Dixon claims that Perry, aged 55, attempted to create a sexually charged atmosphere during their appearances on two of Perry’s shows on BET: ‘Ruthless’ and ‘The Oval’.

Perry, who is friends with Oprah and Meghan Markle, firmly asserts that he will not succumb to blackmail, expressing confidence that the alleged unfounded accusations of harassment will be dismissed, according to Matthew Boyd’s statement to DailyMail.com.

Boyd stated about Dixon: ‘This person seemed to have a connection with Tyler Perry, but it now looks like they were just orchestrating a fraudulent scheme.’

In his late thirties, Dixon decided it was not acceptable for the person involved to escape unscathed. He chose to take legal action and expressed this decision by stating: “I simply couldn’t stand by and allow him to go unpunished.

In a conversation with THR, he stated, “It’s fundamental for everyone to perform their duties at work without facing sexual advances from their superiors. My aim is to strive for an environment where the upcoming generation of artists and innovators won’t need to compromise between their aspirations and their self-respect.

In the court filing, Dixon alleged that Perry sought to create an oppressive, sexually manipulative environment during their work together on The Oval and Ruthless, with Perry’s character named Dale being a part of this dynamic.

In another account, he alleges that Perry forced him up against a wall, inappropriately touched him, and also entered his bed without permission in a separate incident.

In the vibrant city of Atlanta during the crisp month of September 2019, I had the distinct pleasure of crossing paths with Perry, a remarkable individual, while serving in my role as an event coordinator at Legendary Events. The occasion? None other than the grand opening party for Tyler Perry Studios – quite an eventful debut indeed!

Dixon alleges that Perry specifically targeted him, inviting him up on stage for a lighting inspection, followed by inquiring whether Dixon was an actor.

In my advice-giving role, I would put it this way: The following day, after exchanging contact information, I received a message from him inquiring about my identity, aspirations, and goals. He asked, “Who are you truly? What’s your vision? What do you aim to achieve?

Later on, Perry offered Dixon an opportunity to try out for Dale in Ruthless, a spin-off of The Oval, and ultimately, Dixon secured the role.

At the time mentioned, Dixon claims he wasn’t aware that Perry was attracted to men or was seeking a romantic or sexual connection.

In December 2020 Perry and the mother of his child Gelila Bekele would split.

Dixon stated that it’s not his place to discuss another person’s sexual identity. Regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, it is inappropriate for the individual to discuss employees’ personal matters such as sexual preferences, frequency of sexual activity, and physically harming them, regardless of whether they are male or female, gay, straight, or bisexual.

In January 2020, as stated in his complaint, Dixon alleges that Perry extended an invitation for him to visit Perry’s residence in Douglasville County, Georgia. It is alleged that they both consumed alcohol during their visit.

Perry supposedly informed Dixon that he was too intoxicated to drive home, and proposed the guest house instead. Later on, according to Dixon, Perry got into bed with him and started massaging his thigh. Immediately, Dixon jumped out of the bed and exclaimed, “I’m not in the mood for this!” and remained standing until Perry left the room. Dixon believed that his response during that night made it plain that he was not interested.

According to Dixon, Perry started reaching out to him daily, calls or texts that he chose not to respond to. He asserts that Perry texted him expressing his desire to widen his part in Ruthless, aiming to become a permanent cast member on The Oval instead.

In February 2020, Dixon shared in court that Perry proposed a continuous role for him on The Oval. (Eventually, he took on the character of Dale across 85 episodes spanning five seasons from 2021 to 2025.)

In the finale of The Oval’s first season, Dixon pointed out that Perry demonstrated an immense amount of power through leaving his character Dale with an uncertain future.

According to the actor’s court document, Mr. Perry communicated to Dixon that should Dixon choose to disregard Perry or refrain from responding to his suggestive remarks, Dixon’s character would essentially be eliminated or written out in the upcoming season.

According to the legal document, Perry repeatedly harassed, assaulted, battered, and retaliated against Dixon due to Dixon not returning Perry’s unwanted romantic advances.

In his legal claim, Dixon asserted that Perry’s harassment took place following the shooting scene where Dixon’s character, Dale, was depicted being shot on set.

According to the statement made in the lawsuit, it is claimed that the entertainer forcefully and inappropriately touched the actor’s rear end in a sexually suggestive manner. This alleged incident also occurred during a Bahamas vacation with the cast in October 2020.

As a devoted follower, I can share that Dixon asserted Perry’s communications, whether through calls or texts, often escalated significantly. The influential figure is said to have frequently requested images from me, and became irritable when I didn’t respond promptly.

During the pandemic outbreak when The Oval’s production was halted, Perry reportedly motivated Dixon to draft a comedy pilot script, and expressed his desire to approve the project. This action, according to Dixon, made him disregard some red flags.

The texts in Dixon’s grievance contain references to Perry describing Dixon as having a “fuller build,” suggesting that Dixon should allow someone to embrace and intimately connect with him, and inquiring about Dixon’s preferences regarding being restrained following the filming of a scene where his character was choked.

In simpler terms, Dixon states that one day on the set, Perry invited him into his trailer for a drink, an offer Dixon felt he couldn’t refuse. Later, Perry allegedly asked if Dixon was attracted to him. Dixon replied that he wasn’t particularly sexual at the time and wasn’t seeking anything romantic.

He asserts that as he was departing and they hugged, Perry allegedly shoved him up against a wall and inappropriately touched his rear end. Subsequently, he contends that Perry would emphasize the need for maintaining a professional demeanor following such actions.

In the complaint, Dixon asserts that Perry’s actions towards him grew increasingly confrontational, as evidenced by a text from the tycoon which stated: “You should not disregard me. I am entitled to more. I demand constant attention.

Another read: ‘What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?’

According to Dixon, Perry allegedly inquired on the set whether Dixon required a punch in the stomach to give the performance that Perry desired.

In late 2020, Dixon was found to be experiencing severe symptoms of acute stress, sleeplessness, digestive problems, and critically low cortisol levels, which were attributed to the sexual harassment and assault he had endured.

He also said he was subsequently prescribed the antidepressant Zoloft in December of 2020. 

In the complaint, Dixon states that Perry extended an invitation to his residence in June 2021, a visit that made him apprehensive, yet he felt compelled to attend.

He mentioned that if there was another attempt, he felt confident he could manage the situation and calm it down as he often does.

According to him, they drank together once more, and Perry asked him to stay in the guest house – a situation preceding an alleged event that made Dixon feel like he was on the verge of being sexually assaulted.

‘He asked me for a goodnight hug and as I complied, he unexpectedly and forcefully yanked down my underwear and inappropriately touched my bare bottom. When I tried to readjust myself, he held onto my wrists to prevent me from doing so. I was shocked by the situation unfolding.’

I said “No,” “Cease,” and “I don’t desire this,” but he persisted. Instead, he urged me to calm down and let it continue, assuring me that he wouldn’t harm me.

Or more casually:

I told him to stop three times, made it clear I didn’t want it, but he kept going. He just tried to reassure me, telling me to chill out and go with the flow, claiming he wasn’t going to hurt me.

Dixon managed to escape from the predicament by telling Perry that he was famished and requesting a pizza from him instead.

According to him, they dined in the living room, after which Dixon retreated to the guest house. Later, he is said to have entered the bathroom of the guest house, then dozed off on the floor.

Over the coming days, Dixon mentioned that he reached out to a legal professional who advised him that resigning from The Oval would be necessary if he decided to pursue any legal proceedings.

He mentioned it to a fellow worker, who in turn told him about the downside of quitting that he’d face. With Dixon admitting, “I was scared to speak up. I knew it wouldn’t be pleasant. And I turned out to be correct.

Dixon said he avoided Perry for the next several months, turning down a yacht trip.

Additionally, he asserts that Perry’s production team communicated to him their intention to film the pilot imminently, and furthermore, he was told by the lead actor’s legal representatives that he was the sole cast member being offered an increase in pay.

According to Dixon, he chose not to speak up since he believed the pilot would be replaced, allowing him to seek fresh employment. It’s said that Perry is the one who supposedly shot the pilot in March 2022, but Dixon alleges in his complaint that Perry’s contract with Viacom forbade him from marketing the show for two years.

In a court document, Dixon explained that in January 2023, he informed Perry that he intended to move to California to create some space between them, and this decision cost him approximately $400,000 because it led to his absence during the final season of The Oval due to relocation.

In June 2024, Dixon left The Oval and lodged a sexual harassment claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. According to him, he had a deal for the series that would earn him approximately $400,000. At this time, the case is still being reviewed.

Dixon stated that he made an effort to settle the matter quietly with Perry, but those attempts did not work out successfully.

In simpler terms, he expressed concern that the individual might carry on with such actions without facing significant repercussions.

Representatives for Tyler Perry have been reached out to by DailyMail.com, with the response being that he continues to deny all allegations raised by Dixon.

In the lawsuit, Dixon alleges that Perry committed sexual harassment, battery, assault, among other actions, and is seeking a total of $260 million in compensation as a result.

Known by The Sunday Times as one of the influential figures in the film and television world, as well as one of the wealthiest, Perry generously made his $18 million California residence available to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following their departure from the royal family in 2020.

Before they knew each other, neither Markle nor Perry were acquainted, yet they have since developed a strong friendship. Interestingly, he serves as the godfather for their daughter Lilibet.

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2025-07-12 16:23

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