Shocking alleged text messages have emerged as central evidence in a \$260 million lawsuit filed against filmmaker Tyler Perry by actor Derek Dixon.
The texts, which include statements like “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?” and “I don’t like being horny,”have stirred deep concern across the entertainment industry.
Dixon, known for his role in BET’s The Oval, claims Perry used his influence to send repeated sexually suggestive messages while dangling career opportunities in return.
These messages, now released by foreign media, form the heart of what Dixon calls a disturbing pattern of manipulation and power abuse.
According to the complaint, the relationship began in 2019 when Perry cast Dixon in Ruthless after meeting him at an events company in Atlanta.
The lawsuit states that soon after, Perry started sending texts referencing sex in casual but suggestive ways.
One message reportedly read, “I love how I feel right now, but I don’t like being horny.”
These remarks, Dixon alleges, were part of a long-term effort to groom and pressure him into unwanted intimacy.
“Using his influence, Mr. Perry provided vulnerable men with acting positions, roles, show contracts, cars, and money,” the suit claims.
“Once the object of his desire was hooked, Tyler Perry would then put them in fear of losing it all unless they engaged in Mr. Perry’s perverted desire for sexual gratification.”
Dixon said the situation escalated when Perry invited him to his home in January 2020.
After being told he was too drunk to drive, Dixon accepted an offer to sleep in a guest room.
However, the night took a disturbing turn.
“Before he knew what was happening, Dixon felt someone else slip into bed behind him and start rubbing his body around his inner thigh in a highly sexual and suggestive manner… Dixon turned around and saw that Tyler Perry was in bed with him,” said attorney Jonathan Delshad.
The actor claims he tolerated continued harassment, including more text messages and sexual advances, out of fear that his role on The Oval a gay, homeless store clerk would be cut.
During filming, Perry allegedly invited Dixon into his trailer, offered drinks, and later groped him without consent.
Dixon said he didn’t know who to report to, claiming he was unaware of any human resources department at Tyler Perry Studios.
Later, Dixon was reportedly offered a \$6,000 per-episode raise and a deal for his own show only for the project to stall due to a contract Perry’s studio had with Paramount Global.
After declining to return for the next season, Dixon says he was warned by Perry that discussing his reasons with anyone would breach his contract.
The Tyler Perry lawsuit has raised serious concerns about abuse of power and manipulation within the entertainment world.
