Derek Dixon accuses Tyler Perry of creating a “coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic” in a lawsuit filed this week.
Leaked screenshots of alleged text exchanges between Tyler Perry and actor Derek Dixon have surfaced, following Dixon’s $260 million lawsuit accusing Perry of sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation during his time on BET’s The Oval.
In the alleged messages, Perry wrote: “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?” and “I would hope that you would let someone hold you and make love to you. You are missing the best years of your life, my friend.”
Dixon claims Perry used his power as creator and executive producer to coerce him into sexual acts, threatening to remove his character if he refused. He also alleges Perry once “forcibly pulled off Mr. Dixon’s clothing, groped his buttocks, and attempted to force himself on Dixon,” to which Dixon says he responded by clearly saying “No.”
Perry’s legal team has denied all allegations, calling them fabricated and insisting that Perry “will not be shaken down.” The case is currently pending in Los Angeles Superior Court.
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