Tyler Perry Accuser Recounts Details of Alleged Assault Incident in New Interview

The man who accused Tyler Perry of sexual assault and harassment is appearing on ABC News to recount the alleged incident.

Derek Dixon, who filed a lawsuit against Perry in June, chatted with Linsey Davis about his first alleged sexual encounter with Perry in 2020.

“I got into bed, and then I noticed that he climbed into bed with me as well and started rubbing my leg, and I jumped up out of bed,” Dixon alleged.

“Unless someone has been through something where they have their control over their bodies taken away, you don’t really understand the kind of feelings that you get in that moment.”

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In June, The Oval actor claimed Tyler invited him to his Atlanta home in 2020. Dixon said he accepted, hoping to build a friendship that would result in more acting work. According to court docs, Dixon claimed he got drunk and fell asleep in the guest room, and Perry got into the bed as well. When Perry began touching Dixon’s thighs, Dixon rejected the advances, court docs allege. Still, Perry, per court docs, wouldn’t take no for an answer.

After landing the role of Dale in The Oval, Dixon alleged that Perry started sending him sexually suggestive text messages, asking if he was interested in men. Fearing that flat-out rejecting Perry would ruin his career, Dixon said he told Perry he wasn’t the “sexual type.”

Dixon alleged that later in 2020, Perry initiated a sexually charged conversation that led to the latter grabbing him by the throat while saying to him, “Look how excited you just got.”

Dixon is suing Perry for quid pro quo, workplace sexual harassment, and sexual assault and battery, and is requesting $260 million in damages. Perry has since denied the accusations, calling them a “scam.”

Dixon first opened up about the lawsuit in July, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them,” he said to the outlet. “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’s ABC News interview airs tonight on ABC News Live PRIME.