Latest news with #Ruthless'
Los Angeles Times
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Beat ‘em or buy ‘em. Fox News and others chase online audiences with podcaster deals
As legacy news brands turn to podcasters to court online audiences, another digital media upstart has been invited to sit at the grown-ups table. Fox News Media this week signed a licensing deal with the makers of 'Ruthless,' a popular conservative podcast, a move aimed at expanding the network's digital reach. The five-year-old podcast is co-hosted by public affairs and digital advocacy consulting firm Cavalry LLC's founding partners Josh Holmes, Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook, as well as Shashank Tripathi, a commentator known by the pseudonym 'Comfortably Smug.' It will operate under the Fox News Digital division led by Porter Berry. The co-hosts will also get exposure on the Fox News Channel. The move is another sign of traditional media outlets looking for ways to appeal to audiences who are no longer in the pay-TV universe. Faced with a slow but steady decline in audience levels due to competition from streaming, upstart digital operations are seen as a route to reach those consumers. Podcasts — particularly those hosted by comedians such as Joe Rogan and Andrew Schulz — proved influential in the 2024 presidential election as more traditional news outlets felt their relevance waning. 'Ruthless' has gained a large following among men aged 18 to 45, a group that is spending less time with traditional TV, where Fox News is the most-watched cable channel and often tops broadcast networks in prime time. The podcast is regarded as the conservative answer to 'Pod Save America,' the popular digital program led by four former Obama aides, which is produced by Los Angeles-based Crooked Media. Recent 'Ruthless' episodes covered anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles and Elon Musk's proposal for a new political party. Fox News Media has a stable of podcasts hosted by the network's on-air talent such as Will Cain. But 'Ruthless' is the first outside entity to join its digital platforms, and similar deals could follow. Fox News has a multiyear deal with 'Ruthless,' which will share in the revenue the podcast generates across the network's various platforms. The 'Ruthless' partners will retain editorial control over the podcast, although their right-leaning worldview is in keeping with other commentators on Fox News. They will also serve as Fox News contributors appearing on the TV network's programs. Others media giants have gotten into the more freewheeling online sphere by working with podcasters and YouTubers. ESPN reached into the digital media space when it picked up sports commentator Pat McAfee's program — a hit on YouTube — for its TV networks. McAfee retains control of the program, which is licensed by the Walt Disney Co. unit. Earlier this year, Fox News parent Fox Corp. acquired Red Seat Ventures, which provides ad sales, marketing and production support for digital content creators, many of them aimed at politically conservative audiences. There may be more such deals ahead. The Fox News announcement follows reports that David Ellison, whose company Skydance Media has a merger agreement with Paramount Global, has engaged in talks about acquiring The Free Press, a popular digital news site launched by former New York Times opinion writer Bari Weiss. The entity, which produces Weiss' current affairs podcast 'Honestly' and uses the independent newsletter publishing platform Substack, would operate separately from Paramount Global's CBS News division, according to one person familiar with the discussions who was not authorized to comment publicly.
Los Angeles Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Actor who sued Tyler Perry for sexual harassment says he ‘couldn't stay silent anymore'
Derek Dixon, the actor who raised allegations of sexual harassment against Tyler Perry, has broken his silence after suing the producer and media mogul for $260 million last month. In his first interview since filing the bombshell lawsuit in June, 'The Oval' actor Dixon told the Hollywood Reporter, 'I couldn't just let [Perry] get away with this.' Dixon alleged in his complaint that when he worked for Perry from January 2020 to June 2024, the multi-hyphenate entertainer 'sustained a pattern of workplace sexual harassment, assault and retaliation,' according to court documents reviewed by The Times. Dixon briefly appeared in BET's 'Ruthless' before landing a role in Perry's 'The Oval,' appearing in 85 episodes from 2021 to 2025. 'Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them,' Dixon said to THR in a story published Thursday. '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.' Seeking a response from Perry, The Times was referred Friday to the initial statement from Perry's attorney Matthew Boyd, which denies Dixon's allegations. 'This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,' Boyd said in the statement. 'But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.' Dixon recalled to the trade outlet how he initially came to work for Perry and further spoke on the producer's allegedly incessant attempts to spark a sexual relationship with his employee. In his suit, Dixon describes sexually suggestive text messages Perry allegedly sent, including one where he asks the actor 'What's it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?' More damning were the allegations of sexual assault Dixon raised against Perry in his lawsuit. The 46-page complaint detailed multiple incidents, including one at Perry's guest house in Georgia when the producer pulled down Dixon's underwear and groped his buttocks. Dixon's complaint also alleged Perry sexually assaulted him during a previous stay at his guest house and during a meeting in the director's trailer. According to the lawsuit, Dixon refused Perry's advances and walked a fine line, keeping his interactions with Perry professional but friendly enough to remain in his good graces. Recalling the alleged assault in the trailer, Dixon said it would seem Perry would back off and 'say things like 'We need to just be business.'' 'And I would think, 'Great. Yes.' Every time I thought it would stop,' he said. Dixon claims in his lawsuit that Perry leveraged his standing in the entertainment industry — specifically his ability to bring the actor's own TV series to life — 'to create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic.' The suit also says Dixon 'woke up' in June 2024 and realized Perry was never going to be serious about helping Dixon 'grow his career.' The actor reported the alleged abuse he experienced to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Though the lawsuit claims the complaint was not investigated, THR reports the case is pending. He told the magazine he felt compelled to sue Perry because 'I was an employee, and he was my boss.' He added: 'For a long time, I convinced myself that it was part of the industry, or that somehow I had to accept it to keep working. But eventually, I couldn't stay silent anymore.' Since suing Perry, Dixon told THR he has received mixed reactions, including threats online and support from people who claim they experienced similar misconduct by Perry. He also said he decided to publicly accuse Perry as he feels attempts to settle matters privately 'never result in the type of change necessary to protect victims.' Despite going public with his allegations against Perry, Dixon said he fears that the producer 'will be able to continue doing this without any major consequences.'
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tyler Perry 260 million dollar lawsuit: Derek Dixion speaks out for the first time since accusations, says 'I couldn't stay silent…'
Derek Dixon recently made his first public statement after filing a $260 million lawsuit against the director and actor. He had shared earlier last month that Perry had been involved in alleged sexual harassment, assault and retaliation, among other things. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Dixon opens up for the first time since filing the lawsuit Derek Dixon, who starred in Perry's 'The Oval' and 'Ruthless', issued his first statement since he filed an official lawsuit against the director for s*xually harassing and assaulting him as well. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor shared his side of the story and shared that filing the lawsuit was one of the most terrifying things that he had to do. He shared that although he was scared, he could not let Perry "just let him get away with this'. He continued, sharing that "Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have s*x with them. 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'. The 'Ruthless' actor opens up about the reaction The actor even addressed how the reactions he has been receiving after coming out about the assault have been extremely mixed. He stated in the interview that "This is why people, especially men, don't come forward. I was too afraid to come forward. I knew it would be awful. And I was right'. While being asked whether any solutions were sought out for the matter before he went public, the actor responded that attempts to resolve such situations are always made. He continued, saying that even if a solution is reached, it does not provide any relief or help to the person affected the most by the matter. He also delved into how he had put this off for so long, and had tried his level best to reassure himself that whatever happened to him was 'normal'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The actor then later shared that he reached a point where "eventually, I couldn't stay silent anymore'. Tyler Perry issues statement against Dixon's comments In a statement issued to People, Tyler Perry's side denied all allegations and shared that the director and actor will not be shaken down by this. His attorney, Mathew Boyd, shared that "This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam'. He continued his statement that 'Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail'.
Los Angeles Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Tyler Perry hit with $260-million sexual harassment lawsuit from ‘The Oval' actor
Tyler Perry is facing legal backlash to the tune of $260 million from an actor who appeared in his BET drama 'The Oval' and is accusing the media mogul of quid pro quo sexual harassment, sexual battery and retaliation, among other counts. Perry's accuser, actor Derek Dixon, filed his lawsuit against the billionaire film and TV producer in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday. The actor claims Perry leveraged his power and standing in entertainment 'to create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic with Mr. Dixon — initially promising him career advancement and creative opportunities,' according to court documents reviewed by The Times. Tyler Perry Studios and the And Action production company are listed as co-defendants. A representative for Perry did not immediately respond to The Times' request for comment but his attorney Matthew Boyd dismissed the lawsuit as a 'scam,' according to a statement shared with multiple outlets. 'Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail,' the statement said. In his 46-page complaint, Dixon says he met the 'House of Payne' creator in September 2019 when he was working as event staff for one of Perry's parties. The multi-hyphenate entertainer offered Dixon the chance to audition for his show 'Ruthless' a month after their first meeting. Perry claimed he would 'change [Plaintiff's] life' and offered him a small role in the TV series, 'setting up the first stage in a series of escalating quid pro quo offers,' the lawsuit alleges. From January 2020 to June 2024, Perry 'sustained a pattern of workplace sexual harassment, assault and retaliation,' the lawsuit alleges. Dixon appeared in 85 episodes of Perry's presidential drama 'The Oval' from 2021 to 2025, according to IMDb. Dixon accused Perry of relentlessly probing him about his sex life, making suggestive comments and expressing jealousy about his interactions with other men during the duration of their work together. The complaint features multiple screenshots of alleged conversations between Dixon and the media mogul, including messages in which the director asks 'What's it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?' and likens the actor to a rose but says he is 'so blocked that you refuse to be smelt [sic] or opened.' The lawsuit — which evokes cases against Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, Kevin Spacey and other high-profile Hollywood figures accused of sexual harassment — also details multiple occasions where Perry allegedly groped the actor. The first was in January 2020 when Dixon stayed the night in a guest room at Perry's home in Georgia and allegedly felt Perry 'slip into bed behind him and start rubbing Dixon's body around his inner thigh in a highly sexual and suggestive manner.' Dixon also accuses Perry of 'violently' grabbing his throat in March 2020, groping his buttocks in a trailer later that year, and pulling down his underwear and groping his buttocks again in June 2021. The complaint underscores that Dixon repeatedly refused Perry's advances and walked a fine line, keeping his interactions with Perry professional but friendly enough to remain in his good graces. He claims the threat of Perry killing off his character constantly loomed over his 'Oval' tenure. In addition to casting Dixon in his series, Perry also expressed interest in helping the actor develop a show, the lawsuit says. Dixon distanced himself from Perry after the alleged June 2021 assault, the lawsuit says, but the producer's 'fixers' reached out with a new storyline for his 'Oval' character and a pay raise. They also allegedly told Dixon he could not tell his castmates about the new perks. Perry allegedly continued to ask Dixon about his sex life through the years that followed and in March 2024 plans to pitch Dixon's show began to fall apart. After Perry offered Dixon a writing spot on one of his series in June 2024, Dixon 'woke up and realized Perry was never going to be serious about helping Dixon' grow his career, the lawsuit says. Dixon claims he reported the alleged sexual harassment to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission but the complaint was not investigated. Dixon left 'The Oval' and Perry allegedly retaliated by telling Dixon he could say only that he was taking medical leave. 'Defendant made the leave of absence unpaid and therefore terminated Plaintiff's employment causing Dixon additional loss of income and insult,' the suit says. The lawsuit also includes allegations of work environment harassment, workplace gender violence, sexual assault, negligent retention and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
India Today
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Actor Derek Dixon sues Tyler Perry for $260 million over alleged sexual assault
Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million lawsuit over allegations of sexual assault and harassment, filed by fellow 'The Oval' actor Derek to a report in the Associated Press, in the lawsuit, Perry allegedly abused his power to sexually exploit Dixon. It claims that Perry created a "coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic" between them while Dixon was working on the filmmaker's shows 'The Oval' and 'Ruthless'.advertisementThe complaint further alleges that Perry "initially promised him career advancement and creative opportunities, such as producing his pilot and casting him in his show, only to subject him to escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, and professional retaliation when Mr Dixon did not reciprocate Mr Perry's unwanted advances."Perry's lawyer, Matthew Boyd claimed that the allegations are false. 'This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam," Boyd said in a statement on Tuesday. 'But Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail,' he further added. The lawsuit claims that Perry and Dixon first met in 2019, when the 'Ruthless' actor was a part of the event staff at a party hosted by Perry. The filmmaker later offered an audition to then appeared in a small role in the series 'Ruthless' before getting a bigger role in the political drama 'The Oval'.The lawsuits also contain several screenshots of Perry sending unwanted sexual text messages to Dixon. 'What's it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?' one of the messages says.'The Oval' actor filed a complaint in 2024 with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; however, he quit the show after not getting any 55-year-old actor has written and directed many television series, including 'The Oval'. His first major creation was the 'Madea' film franchise, and he has since built a major production empire in both television and film. He has also appeared in movies such as 'Gone Girl' and 'Don't Look Up'.
