'I couldn't stay silent anymore'
Share this @internewscast.com

Actor Derek Dixon from “The Oval” has stepped forward after filing a major $250 million lawsuit against Hollywood filmmaker Tyler Perry, accusing him of sexual assault and harassment.

“I couldn’t just let him get away with this,” Dixon shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “Everyone should be able to work without their superior trying to initiate unwanted sexual advances.”

“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 claimed he was “too afraid to come forward” over fears of negative attention saying, “This is why people, especially men, don’t come forward.”

“I knew it would be awful. And I was right,” he added.

The actor was then asked if he had tried settling the dispute with Perry in private.

“Efforts are often made to resolve these issues quietly, but they rarely lead to the changes needed to safeguard future victims,” he told the publication. “My biggest fear is that he might continue this behavior without facing significant repercussions.”

Dixon claimed that for a long time, he tried to bury his alleged experience, telling himself it “was part of the industry, or that I had to accept it to keep working.”

“But eventually, I couldn’t stay silent anymore,” he added.

In court documents obtained by The Post last month, Dixon sued Perry, 55, for alleged sexual assault and sexual harassment in a complaint filed with the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles.

The actor claimed Perry “took his success and power and used his considerable influence in the entertainment industry to create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic” between them when he worked on the set of “The Oval” and “Ruthless.”

The “Madea Goes to Jail” star quickly denied the allegations.

“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,” Perry’s attorney Matthew Boyd told The Post last month. “But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”

In his filing, Dixon claimed that he was almost raped by Perry while once again visiting the entertainment mogul’s Georgia home in June 2021.

He alleged that Perry pulled down his underwear and groped his butt after asking for a “good night” hug.

“Rather than arguing, Dixon complied, at which point Perry reached out and yanked Dixon’s underwear down from behind,” the lawsuit read. “Perry then began to vigorously grab, grope, and play with Dixon’s buttocks in a sexual manner. Dixon was naked, stunned and seized by tremendous fear.”

“Dixon started to tell Perry that he ‘did not want [his] underwear down,’ that Dixon ‘didn’t want to be naked,’ and that Dixon ‘didn’t want this,’” the suit alleged.

“Dixon quickly reached to pull his underwear back up. As soon as he did, Perry grabbed Dixon’s reaching arm with a tight grip and held fast.”

According to the court documents, Dixon was able to distract Perry and change the subject before the alleged incident went any further.

Besides his many accusations against Perry, Dixon also included several years’ worth of alleged text message exchanges between the pair in his filing.

Dixon is suing Perry and Tyler Perry Studios for quid pro quo sexual harassment, work environment harassment, sexual harassment, workplace gender violence, sexual battery, sexual assault, retaliation, and more.

He is also seeking $260 million in damages.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Rev. Jesse Jackson health: Civil rights activist recovering as Rainbow PUSH Coalition hosts annual Thanksgiving event, family says

Rev. Jesse Jackson on the Mend: Civil Rights Icon Recuperates as Rainbow PUSH Coalition Celebrates Annual Thanksgiving Event

Thursday marked a significant milestone as the Rainbow PUSH Coalition hosted its…
Fuzzy Zoeller, two-time major champion haunted by racist joke about Tiger Woods, dies at 74

Golf Legend Fuzzy Zoeller, Known for His Major Wins and Controversial Tiger Woods Remark, Passes Away at 74

Fuzzy Zoeller, celebrated for his vibrant personality and two major golf victories,…
Pei-Yun Chung: 'Dine-and-dash diva' accused of skipping out on bills at high-end Brooklyn, New York City restaurants

Brooklyn’s ‘Dine-and-Dash Diva’ Allegedly Leaves High-End Eateries Without Paying

NEW YORK — A social media influencer, notorious for allegedly evading payments…
Treat our holiday workers with respect

Extend Respect to Holiday Employees: A Call for Decency in Seasonal Work Environments

The holiday season is often associated with family, celebration, and joy. However,…
Animal shelters and EveryPet team up for Duval County pet microchip clinic Saturday

Microchip Your Pet: Join EveryPet and Duval County Shelters for a Life-Saving Clinic This Saturday!

In a collaborative effort, the Jacksonville Humane Society and Jacksonville Animal Care…
NY Jets cornerback Kris Boyd says he's back in the hospital after NYC shooting

NY Jets Cornerback Kris Boyd Returns to Hospital Following NYC Shooting Incident

New York City is once again the focus as New York Jets…
National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom dies from wounds in DC attack

Tragic Loss: Honoring National Guard Member Sarah Beckstrom After DC Attack

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Thursday, President Trump shared that one of the…
Putin calls Trump’s peace plan a ‘starting point’ as he warns Ukraine to pull back or face 'force'

Putin Labels Trump’s Peace Proposal a ‘Foundation’ While Urging Ukraine to Retreat or Confront ‘Force

Putin arrives for meeting in Kyrgyzstan Russian President Vladimir Putin convened with…
Trump administration to reexamine green cards issued to people from 'every country of concern'

Trump Administration’s Green Card Review Targets High-Risk Countries: What You Need to Know

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph B. Edlow, a…
Ex-FBI special agent explains Afghan vetting failures in wake of National Guard ambush: ‘Ticking time bomb’

Former FBI Special Agent Analyzes Afghan Vetting Shortcomings Following National Guard Ambush: A ‘Ticking Time Bomb

The recent attack on two National Guard members close to the White…
Game Over? Trump Cracks Down on All Immigration From Third-World Countries - ‘You Won’t Be Here for Long’

Trump Implements Stricter Immigration Measures Targeting Developing Nations – ‘You Won’t Be Here for Long’

In a passionate late-night address, President Trump responded to the recent terrorist…
US passenger goes missing while on shore during Caribbean cruise

U.S. Passenger Disappears During Caribbean Cruise Shore Excursion: Urgent Search Underway

A 55-year-old American woman disappeared during a Caribbean cruise tour after stepping…