00:00Tyler Perry, the billionaire filmmaker, actor, and media mogul is reportedly facing a $260 million
00:05lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon, who alleges a series of sexual assault, harassment, and career
00:11retaliation. According to the complaint filed June 13th, obtained by Fox News Digital, Dixon claims
00:18Perry created a chorus of sexually explodive dynamic on the sets of The Oval and Ruthless,
00:24shows where Dixon played the character Dale. The complaint alleges Perry promised Dixon career
00:28opportunities, such as producing a pilot episode and casting Dixon in a show, but those promises
00:34allegedly masked a pattern of escalating abuse once Dixon didn't reciprocate Perry's advances.
00:39Matthew Boyd, attorney for Tyler Perry and Perry's production company, told Fox News Digital that
00:45Dixon seems to have gotten close to Perry as part of a scheme, stating,
00:49Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.
00:54According to TMZ, Dixon claims he first met Perry at an event in 2019 where the filmmaker,
01:01quote, picked him out of the crowd and asked for Dixon's number. During this interaction,
01:05Perry allegedly told Dixon he might have a role for him, but in January 2020, things allegedly took
01:11a turn, as Dixon states Perry invited him to his Atlanta home, under the impression they'd be
01:16building a professional relationship. But instead, after Dixon drank too much and fell asleep in the
01:22guest room, the actor alleges Perry climbed into bed and began touching his thighs. Dixon also
01:27claims Perry once asked about the actor's sexual preferences and allegedly confessed to Dixon that
01:33Perry, quote, has sex with men. The report continues to state Dixon felt pressured to comply,
01:38fearing that outright rejection of reporting Perry would cost him his job. This all led Dixon to file
01:44a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in June 2024, and eventually quit
01:50the Oval, claiming he could no longer tolerate the alleged harassment. Online, some say it's brave
01:56of Dixon to speak up, especially after quitting a role reportedly worth $400,000, with others
02:02questioning the timeline and why Dixon would continue to stay around Perry after the first
02:08alleged assault. One thread user wrote,
02:10The fact that he went and complained to the EEOC first, before filing suit, I will see how he
02:16responds, but this isn't positive, I know that. While another stated, why did he keep going to his
02:22house? I know what the lawsuit said, but I just don't get continue to put yourself in those situations.
02:28The case includes charges of quid pro quo harassment, sexual battery, retaliation, and more.
02:35Along with the $260 million, Dixon is also demanding a jury trial.
02:40But what's your take? Share your thoughts below and follow us everywhere at What's Trending.
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