The lawsuit rocking Hollywood just took a new turn. Derek Dixon, an actor who appeared on Tyler Perry’s hit BET series The Oval, is going on national television to double down on his shocking allegations against the billionaire filmmaker.
Dixon, who is suing Perry for $260 million over alleged sexual assault and harassment, sat down with ABC News’ Linsey Davis to share his story in his first televised interview.
Derek Dixon’s Emotional Account
In a preview clip released ahead of the full ABC News Live PRIME broadcast, Dixon revisited the first alleged encounter with Perry.
“I got into bed and then I noticed that he climbed into bed with me as well and started rubbing my leg,” Dixon recalled. “I jumped up out of bed.”
He added:
“Unless someone has been through something where they have their control over their bodies taken away, you don’t really understand the kind of feelings that you get in that moment.”
The Allegations in Court
Back in June, TMZ first reported on Dixon’s lawsuit against Perry and Tyler Perry Studios.
The actor alleges that in January 2020, he was invited to Perry’s Atlanta home for drinks. Dixon claims he became intoxicated and fell asleep in a guest room — only to be awakened by Perry allegedly climbing into bed with him and touching his thighs.
According to the lawsuit, Dixon says he rejected Perry’s advances, but the encounter left him traumatized.
He is suing for quid pro quo harassment, workplace harassment, sexual assault, and battery, seeking $260 million in damages.
Tyler Perry’s Response
Perry’s team has vehemently denied the allegations, branding the lawsuit as nothing more than a “scam.”
Despite the denials, Dixon’s public interview marks the first time he has gone on the record in front of cameras — a move likely to draw even more attention to a case already dominating entertainment and legal headlines.
The Road Ahead
As the case moves forward, the stakes are incredibly high. Tyler Perry — one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood, with a sprawling Atlanta studio and a billion-dollar empire — faces explosive claims that could test his carefully crafted image as an industry giant and philanthropist.
Meanwhile, Derek Dixon is stepping into the spotlight, risking public scrutiny and industry backlash to share his story.
The full interview airs tonight on ABC News Live PRIME.
