Alleged Tyler Perry–Derek Dixon texts leak sparks controversy
Photo: AFP
Actor Derek Dixon filed a $260 million lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging that filmmaker Tyler Perry subjected him to years of sexual harassment, assault, and professional retaliation. According to court documents, Perry allegedly abused his power by casting Dixon in Ruthless and The Oval, then escalating unwanted contact—from explicit texts to physical assaults—after Dixon resisted.
This is shocking! An actor, Derek Dixon, has hit Tyler Perry with a huge lawsuit filled with claims of harassment and sexual assault. pic.twitter.com/uqxZc7HtKd
Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, screenshots of private text exchanges began circulating online. These messages, presented as evidence in the court filings, include highly charged content—such as, “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?”—which many are interpreting as suggestive of coercion. The timing of the leak—following public release of the legal complaint—has raised questions about whether it was an intentional move to sway public perception or intimidate involved parties.
Legal observers note that leaking unverified private messages can expose both Perry and Dixon to additional legal risks, including allegations of defamation, privacy invasion, or tampering with ongoing litigation. Meanwhile, Perry’s legal advisor Matthew Boyd continues to deny all accusations, branding the lawsuit a “fabricated scam.”
The controversy—combining a high-stakes legal claim with a leak of sensitive private messages—has ignited public and media debate about power, consent, and digital ethics in Hollywood. With both parties maintaining silence and the case still progressing, industry watchers and audiences alike remain alert for developments.