Tyler Perry Accuser Says He Was ‘Too Afraid’ to Come Forward

Previously silent following his lawsuit filing, Derek Dixon, the accuser of media magnate Tyler Perry, has finally spoken out. The lawsuit, filed on June 13 in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges sexual harassment and assault by Perry. This $260 million lawsuit is one of the most substantial legal claims against him to date, underscoring its significance in the entertainment industry.

Here’s what Tyler Perry accuser, Derek Dixon, said about the lawsuit and allegations.

Tyler Perry accusers opens up for first time after lawsuit

For the first time since filing a lawsuit against Tyler Perry, actor Derek Dixon, renowned for his role as Dale in The Oval, has offered his perspectives publicly.

In a digital conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Dixon expressed that sharing accusations against Perry was an incredibly “daunting” experience. However, he bravely decided to share his story due to the strong feeling of needing to expose the truth. He stated, “I couldn’t simply stand by and let him escape this.

Later on, Dixon detailed his initial encounter with Perry, which occurred in September 2019 at the grand opening of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. At that time, Dixon held the position of an event coordinator for Legendary Events. It is said that Perry approached him during the function and requested him to ascend the stage to check the lighting setup. Upon this, Perry inquired if Dixon was an actor. When Dixon confessed he wasn’t actively pursuing acting, Perry responded, “Yes, you are. I can sense it.” The following day, Perry is said to have started messaging him, reportedly fostering a closer relationship. Dixon alleges that this interaction subsequently evolved into a series of manipulative actions and inappropriate advances.

After filing the lawsuit, the accuser of Tyler Perry has been met with a mix of responses. This includes hostile online comments as well as sympathetic messages of support, plus accounts from others who share similar tales of discomfort with Perry. Dixon emphasized that such reactions are among the reasons why many men hesitate to speak up.

In simpler terms, “He expressed concern that efforts to handle such situations quietly often fail to bring about the required transformation. His ultimate worry is that there may be no significant repercussions for him to stop doing this.

Responding to the accusations, Perry’s lawyer, Matthew Boyd, firmly refuted them. “Tyler won’t be intimidated, and we are assured these false claims of harassment will not succeed,” Boyd stated in a release to People, labeling the lawsuit as a “scam”.

Dixon is demanding a jury trial and $260 million in damages.

If you’ve been through a sexual assault or know someone who has, help is ready. Reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or find support online at rainn.org – they’re there to offer confidential aid.

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2025-07-11 11:44