Who Is Derek Dixon? The Oval Actor Accusing Tyler Perry Of Sexual Harassment
Last Updated:
Tyler Perry has been sued by The Oval actor Derek Dixon for $260 million, alleging sexual harassment and assault, among other complaints.
Filmmaker Tyler Perry has found himself in hot water with a fresh lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment. Derry Dixon, who is an actor on Perry's The Oval, has alleged that the filmmaker made sexual advances after inviting him to his Atlanta home in January 2020. The actor, though, rejected Perry's advances. In his lawsuit, Dixon claimed that he met the director at an event in 2019, and in his words, Perry picked him out of the crowd and asked for his phone number for a possible role.
As per Page Six, things took a different turn when Dixon visited Perry's home in 2020, where he drank too much and slept in one of the director's guest rooms. The court documents reveal Dixon's claims that Perry got into bed with him and started touching his thighs. Although he rejected the advances that night, Perry remained interested.
Things escalated after getting cast in The Oval when Dixon started receiving sexual messages. The actor is seeking $260 million in damages over workplace sexual harassment, sexual assault and battery, and quid pro quo.
But who is Derek Dixon? Read further to know about him.
Who Is Derek Dixon?
Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, Derek Alexander Dixon studied at Marymount Manhattan College and later acted at the Terry Schreiber Studio in New York. He is best known for his performance as Dale on The Oval, featuring in 85 episodes of the show. Dixon has also worked in another Tyler Perry-directed American drama titled Ruthless.
Derek Dixon is also known for his elaborate career in theatre, performing in plays like The Lion in Winter, Romeo and Juliet, and The Boys in the Band. He has written several full-length plays, such as Red Snow, Homewrecker, Pictures of People, Works of Art and Green Light. In 2015, Dixon joined the Working Title Playwrights and was then announced as the winner of the 2016 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award.
Back when he met Tyler Perry at a party in 2019, Dixon was working with an event company and was reportedly offered a role on The Restless.
First Published:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Fans criticize Beyoncé for shirt calling Native Americans 'the enemies of peace'
The T-shirt worn during a concert in Paris featured images of the Buffalo Soldiers, who belonged to Black U.S. Army units active during the late 1800s and early 1900s read more A T-shirt worn by Beyoncé during a Juneteenth performance on her 'Cowboy Carter' tour has sparked a discussion over how Americans frame their history and caused a wave of criticism for the Houston-born superstar. The T-shirt worn during a concert in Paris featured images of the Buffalo Soldiers, who belonged to Black U.S. Army units active during the late 1800s and early 1900s. On the back was a lengthy description of the soldiers that included 'their antagonists were the enemies of peace, order and settlement: warring Indians, bandits, cattle thieves, murderous gunmen, bootleggers, trespassers, and Mexican revolutionaries.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Images of the shirt and videos of the performance are also featured on Beyoncé's website. As she prepares to return to the U.S. for performances in her hometown this weekend, fans and Indigenous influencers took to social media to criticize Beyoncé for wearing a shirt that frames Native Americans and Mexican revolutionaries as anything but the victims of American imperialism and for promoting anti-Indigenous language. A spokesperson for Beyoncé did not respond to a request for comment. Who were the Buffalo Soldiers? The Buffalo Soldiers served in six military units created after the Civil War in 1866. They were comprised of formerly enslaved men, freemen, and Black Civil War soldiers and fought in hundreds of conflicts — including in the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II — until they were disbanded in 1951. As the quote on Beyoncé's shirt notes, they also fought numerous battles against Indigenous peoples as part of the U.S. Army's campaign of violence and land theft during the country's westward expansion. Some historians say the moniker 'Buffalo Soldiers' was bestowed by the tribes who admired the bravery and tenacity of the fighters, but that might be more legend than fact. 'At the end of the day, we really don't have that kind of information,' said Cale Carter, director of exhibitions at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston. Carter and other museum staff said that, only in the past few years, the museum made broader efforts to include more of the complexities of the battles the Buffalo Soldiers fought against Native Americans and Mexican revolutionaries and the role they played in the subjugation of Indigenous peoples. They, much like many other museums across the country, are hoping to add more nuance to the framing of American history and be more respectful of the ways they have caused harm to Indigenous communities. 'We romanticize the Western frontier,' he said. 'The early stories that talked about the Buffalo Soldiers were impacted by a lot of those factors. So you really didn't see a changing in that narrative until recently.' There has often been a lack of diverse voices discussing how the history of the Buffalo Soldiers is framed, said Michelle Tovar, the museum's director of education. The current political climate has put enormous pressure on schools, including those in Texas, to avoid honest discussions about American history, she said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Right now, in this area, we are getting pushback from a lot of school districts in which we can't go and teach this history,' Tovar said. 'We are a museum where we can at least be a hub, where we can invite the community regardless of what districts say, invite them to learn it and do what we can do the outreach to continue to teach honest history.' Historians scrutinize reclamation motive Beyoncé's recent album 'Act II: Cowboy Carter' has played on a kind of American iconography, which many see as her way of subverting the country music genre's adjacency to whiteness and reclaiming the cowboy aesthetic for Black Americans. Last year, she became the first Black woman ever to top Billboard's country music chart, and 'Cowboy Carter' won her the top prize at the 2025 Grammy Awards, album of the year. 'The Buffalo Soldiers play this major role in the Black ownership of the American West,' said Tad Stoermer, a historian and professor at Johns Hopkins University. 'In my view, (Beyoncé is) well aware of the role that these images play. This is the 'Cowboy Carter' tour for crying out loud. The entire tour, the entire album, the entire piece is situated in this layered narrative.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But Stoermer also points out that the Buffalo Soldiers have been framed in the American story in a way that also plays into the myths of American nationalism. As Beyoncé's use of Buffalo Soldiers imagery implies, Black Americans also use their story to claim agency over their role in the creation of the country, said Alaina E. Roberts, a historian, author and professor at the University of Pittsburgh who studies the intersection of Black and Native American life from the Civil War to present day. 'That's the category in which she thought maybe she was coming into this conversation, but the Buffalo Soldiers are even a step above that because they were literally involved in not just the settlement of the West but of genocide in a sense,' she said. Online backlash builds ahead of Houston shows Several Native influencers, performers, and academics took to social media this week to criticize Beyoncé or decry the shirt's language as anti-Indigenous. 'Do you think Beyoncé will apologize (or acknowledge) the shirt?' an Indigenous news and culture Instagram account with more than 130,000 followers, asked in a post Thursday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Many of her critics, as well as fans, agree. A flood of social media posts called out the pop star for the historic framing on the shirt. 'The Buffalo Soldiers are an interesting historical moment to look at. But we have to be honest about what they did, especially in their operations against Indigenous Americans and Mexicans,' said Chisom Okorafor, who posts on TikTok under the handle @confirmedsomaya. Okorafor said there is no 'progressive' way to reclaim America's history of empire building in the West, and that Beyoncé's use of Western symbolism sends a problematic message: 'That Black people, too, can engage in American nationalism.' 'Black people, too, can profit from the atrocities of (the) American empire,' she said. 'It is a message that tells you to abandon immigrants, Indigenous people, and people who live outside of the United States. It is a message that tells you not only is it a virtue to have been born in this country, but the longer your line extends in this country, the more virtuous you are.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Taylor Swift holds hands with Travis Kelce in NYC while her ex escalates drama with shady public comments
Taylor Swift flaunts love with Travis Kelce in NYC (Image sia PEOPLE) Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are keeping the summer romance alive in the most New York way possible — with quiet, fashionable, and very exclusive dinner dates. The high-profile couple was recently spotted enjoying a private evening out at San Vicente in West Village, joined by none other than Swift's brother, Austin. Tucked away in the club's ultra-discreet, no-photo interior, the trio 'sat alone quietly,' a source told Page Six, adding that 'no one bothered them.' Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce win the internet while her ex continues his messy meltdown For Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, both 35, privacy seems to be the new luxury. San Vicente, a members-only spot that recently opened its New York location, is already known for hosting Hollywood elite like Jennifer Aniston, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Prince Harry. It's also famed for enforcing a strict no-photos policy, making it a go-to for celebrities seeking refuge from the relentless gaze of paparazzi. The couple didn't just enjoy a dinner — they made a fashion statement. Swift arrived in a $3,490 pink-and-white Balmain houndstooth dress with gold chain straps and matching buttons, accessorized with a beige purse and Christian Louboutin heels. Kelce complemented her look in a crisp white short-sleeve dress shirt, black pants, and black loafers. Earlier in the week, they were seen stepping out hand-in-hand in matching white outfits, capturing attention yet again. Their recent city rendezvous follows a week spent in Nashville, where Swift not only showed up to support her NFL beau at his Tight Ends University event but also surprised everyone with an impromptu performance of 'Shake It Off' at the 'Tight Ends and Friends' benefit concert — her first public performance since the end of the blockbuster Eras Tour. That concert alone helped raise over $900K for charity, including Kelce's own foundation, 87 & Running. While their public appearances reflect joy and stability, a familiar ghost from the past seems determined to hover. Matty Healy, Swift's ex and frontman of The 1975, stirred headlines after throwing shade at her latest album The Tortured Poets Department during his Glastonbury set. 'I'm probably the best songwriter of my generation. The best, what do we say, A and gentlemen, is what I am,' Healy declared sarcastically, before launching into 'Chocolate. ' Though he later claimed he was joking, the timing didn't go unnoticed by Swifties. Despite the lack of a ring, speculation around a possible engagement continues to mount. Nilesh Rakholia, founder of Abelini jewelry, told Daily Mail, 'Knowing Taylor, the ring itself, or the way it's revealed, might contain subtle nods or 'Easter eggs' for her fans.' As they inch closer to their rumored two-year anniversary, Swift and Kelce seem unfazed by external noise — choosing instead to indulge in intimate dinners, public hand-holding, and quiet gestures of support that say more than any headline could. Whether wedding bells are on the horizon or not, the couple continues to write their love story one glamorous NYC outing at a time. Also Read: 'I did marry a farmer': Hailee Steinfeld wants to trade glam for a garden in dream farm life with Josh Allen Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
US runner Chris Robinson's private moment turns into powerful career twist with viral modeling offer
An unexpected event happened at an international track meet, and it has turned into a new opportunity for U.S. sprinter . During a recent race, his outfit malfunctioned, causing a viral moment. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But now he has a chance to turn that exposure into a modeling gig. This twist is surprising and shows how one moment can change everything. Chris Robinson lands modeling offer after race wardrobe slip On June 25, 2025, Ostrava, Czech Republic's Golden Spike event saw American runner Chris Robinson participate in the 400-meter hurdles. His shorts tore during the race; he quickly undressed while still running top velocity. Robinson came first in 48. 05 seconds, less than 0. 06 seconds ahead of Matheus Lima of Brazil, despite her mistake. The video of this wardrobe accident spread quickly online. Soon after, underwear brand Shinesty reached out to offer Robinson a modeling job. They specialize in pouch-style briefs and said Robinson's experience made him a perfect fit. Another company, Krakatoa Underwear, also offered support and gear designed for athletes after their CEO praised Robinson's handling of the mishap . Chris Robinson turns viral moment into opportunity and wider talk The viral clip became headline news, and people all over social media had a reaction. The Independent's Indy100 wrote about how commentators described the slip as an 'equipment failure,' while also admiring his focus under pressure. They praised him for keeping his stride, saying he overcame the challenge with mental strength. This moment sparked debate about athlete professionalism and body image in sports. But for Robinson, it led to something positive, a potential new career path outside the track. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Shinesty's 'Magnum Pouch Ball Hammock' brief, 47% larger than standard, suits his needs and matches the attention he received . Also Read: Robinson, a 24-year-old nicknamed 'The Anomaly,' had a strong college history at the University of Alabama before turning pro this year . The unexpected exposure and modeling offer show how an unplanned moment can open a surprising door. Fans are now watching to see if Chris Robinson will step into fashion as well as athletics.
