Derek Dixon, who filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Tyler Perry in June, recently shed light on why he is seeking a staggering $260 million in damages from the renowned filmmaker. "Part of that sum encompasses my lost job, my forfeited income, and the demise of a show," Dixon revealed to ABC News on Tuesday, September 9, marking his first television interview since initiating the legal action. "The other facet of that figure serves as a deterrent—a way to halt a billionaire who seems unwilling to rein in their own actions."
Dixon, who portrayed the character Dale in "The Oval" and "Ruthless" from 2021 to 2025, alleges that his initial encounter with Perry, 55, took place in 2019. Matthew Boyd, an attorney representing Tyler Perry and TPS Production Services, vehemently denied the allegations in a statement to PEOPLE. "This appears to be an individual who ingratiated himself with Tyler Perry with what now seems to be the sole intent of orchestrating a scam," Boyd asserted. "However, Tyler will not be coerced, and we are confident that these contrived claims of harassment will crumble."
When queried about his emotions surrounding the filing of the lawsuit and the subsequent allegations, Dixon confessed to ABC News' Linsey Davis, "It's been arduous. Discussing this is a vulnerable act, I believe, for anyone. There's a profound sense of shame attached, I think." Dixon further elaborated, "You constantly ruminate on what you could have done differently, grappling with the scrutiny of how others might perceive your handling of the situation without having been in your shoes."
In July, Dixon opened up to The Hollywood Reporter in an email interview, describing the ordeal of suing the entertainment titan as "terrifying" but asserting that he "couldn't simply allow him to evade accountability." "Everyone deserves the right to go to work and perform their duties without their superior attempting to coerce them into a sexual relationship," Dixon emphasized. "My objective is to contribute to ensuring that the next generation of actors and creatives won't have to make a choice between pursuing their dreams and upholding their dignity."
In the $260 million lawsuit, Dixon is steadfast in his request for a jury trial.
