‘Ruthless’ Actor Derek Dixon Speaks Out on Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Tyler Perry: “I Couldn’t Stay Silent Anymore”

Derek Dixon, best known for his role as Dale on Tyler Perry’s Ruthless and The Oval, is speaking out publicly for the first time since filing a $260 million lawsuit against the media mogul — a move he says has been “terrifying,” but necessary.

In an email interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dixon said he felt compelled to act. “I couldn’t just let him get away with this,” he said.

“Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them,” he continued. “My goal is to help ensure that the next generation of actors and creatives don’t have to choose between their dreams and their dignity.”

Dixon filed the lawsuit on June 13 in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging Perry created “a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic” during his time working for him. According to the complaint, Perry initially promised Dixon creative opportunities — such as producing his pilot and casting him in his shows — but allegedly subjected him to escalating harassment, assault, and retaliation after Dixon rejected those advances.

The filing includes disturbing allegations, including that Perry “pinned Dixon against the wall of Perry’s trailer and aggressively groped Dixon’s buttocks in a sexual motion,” along with multiple alleged assaults at Perry’s home.

Dixon is suing for sexual harassment (quid pro quo), sexual battery, sexual assault, retaliation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and more. He is requesting a jury trial and $260 million in damages.

Perry’s legal team has denied the allegations. Attorney Matthew Boyd released a statement to People, reiterating the initial response: “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam. But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”

Dixon, meanwhile, says the fallout has already been severe. “This is why people, especially men, don’t come forward,” he told THR. “I was too afraid to come forward. I knew it would be awful. And I was right.”

He claims he did attempt to resolve the situation privately before filing, but said, “There are always attempts to resolve situations like this privately, but they never result in the type of change necessary to protect further victims. At the end of the day, my absolute fear is that he will be able to continue doing this without any major consequences.”

Dixon admitted he tried to convince himself that this kind of behavior was “part of the industry,” but ultimately, “I couldn’t stay silent anymore.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit RAINN.org.