Derek Dixon Details Alleged Harassment by Tyler Perry and Fear of Character's Demise
Actor Derek Dixon, who recently filed a lawsuit against Tyler Perry alleging sexual harassment, stated that the entertainment magnate jeopardized his position on the show The Oval should he refuse to tolerate the alleged misconduct.
“For me, [my character Dale being killed off] signified that if I failed to please him, my character’s demise on the series could become permanent,” Dixon, 35, revealed during an interview on ABC News on Tuesday, September 9. “In my view, this was his method of asserting dominance over us and our professional lives. He has no qualms about eliminating a cast member.”
Dixon, an actor on BET’s The Oval between 2019 and 2024, claimed that he was often subjected to harassing communications from Perry, 55, throughout his time on the television program.
“I experienced immense anxiety. The frequency of calls and texts escalated to nearly a daily occurrence,” he asserted. “[I was living in] perpetual apprehension, thinking, ‘Failure to respond will result in job loss. I’ll be terminated or written off the series.’ This significantly exacerbated my anxiety and depression.”
An Overview of Derek Dixon: What to Know About the Performer Initiating Legal Action Against Tyler Perry
In June, Dixon filed a $260 million lawsuit against Perry, alleging quid pro quo sexual harassment, sexual battery, sexual assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and retaliation by the show's creator. Perry, via his legal counsel, strongly refuted these claims. (Us Weekly sought a statement.)
“This person approached Tyler Perry, seemingly with the sole intention of orchestrating a deceptive scheme,” stated Perry’s attorney Matthew Boyd in a press release to ABC News on Tuesday. “Tyler will not be extorted, and we are convinced that these fabricated harassment accusations will not succeed.”
Dixon, however, stands by his account of what transpired and additionally claimed on Tuesday’s televised interview that Perry once touched him inappropriately, instructing him to “simply tolerate it.”
Alleged Victim of Tyler Perry Speaks Out Almost a Month After Sexual Assault Lawsuit
“At that instant, unless one has experienced a situation where their bodily autonomy is violated, it’s difficult to grasp the range of emotions one feels,” Dixon explained. “It felt as though every possible reaction — flight, fight, or freeze — coursed through my mind. I was unsure how to react.”
Dixon asserted that Perry subsequently expressed regret for his conduct and pledged assistance in developing Dixon’s independently written television screenplay.
“In my opinion, it’s profoundly offensive,” Dixon stated, further explaining that he repeatedly emphasized his desire to ease the tension. “[My pilot episode] has not progressed. He retains ownership of its rights, preventing me from marketing it elsewhere.”
Perry had also previously contended in his own declaration that Dixon was attempting to extort him through the allegations made in the lawsuit.
“My aim was to hold him responsible for his actions,” Dixon stated, refuting the claims of extortion. “I believe his conduct was improper, and there needed to be a consequence that would discourage him from repeating it with another individual [or] performer in the future.”
He proceeded, “For me, justice would entail feeling that I’ve brought about a positive alteration, and that such an incident will not befall another actor working for him or elsewhere in the entertainment field. That is what I would consider justice.”
