Actor Derek Dixon, best known for his role as Dale in Tyler Perry’s political drama The Oval and its spinoff Ruthless, has spoken publicly for the first time since filing a $260 million (£192m) lawsuit against the media mogul in June. Perry has denied all allegations.
In an interview with ABC News, Dixon described the experience as deeply challenging, citing the shame often associated with sexual assault.
“Just trying to think what you could have done better and having to deal with the judgment of how you could’ve ended it better without being in that situation,” he said.
Allegations Against Perry
According to the lawsuit, Dixon alleges that Perry began sending him sexually suggestive text messages shortly after he joined The Oval in 2020, eventually escalating to unwanted physical advances.
One message, which Dixon shared, allegedly read:
“What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex? Have y’all found that in therapy yet? I would hope that you would let someone hold and make love to you.”
Dixon claims the first incident occurred in January 2020, when Perry invited him to stay in his guest house after drinks. He alleges that Perry later climbed into his bed and began rubbing his leg, prompting him to leave.
Despite the encounter, Dixon continued his role on The Oval, appearing in 85 episodes between 2021 and 2025. However, he said the dynamic changed after his character was shot in the second season.
“I realised if I don’t make him happy, I could stay dead on the show,” he recalled.
He further alleges that Perry later pushed him against a wall in his trailer, grabbed his buttocks, and on another occasion at Perry’s Atlanta home in 2021, pulled down his underwear against his will.
Career Fallout
Dixon said he cut ties with Perry in early 2024 and officially left The Oval that September. He also claims another series he had written, Losing It—which Perry owns the rights to—was shelved after its pilot.
Perry’s Response
Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, rejected the allegations, calling them “fabricated” and “a scam.” Representatives for Perry have not yet issued additional comments.
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