Actor Derek Dixon has filed a lawsuit against American filmmaker Tyler Perry, seeking KSh 33.7 billion in damages.

The lawsuit was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday, June 13, as reported by People.

Dixon accused Perry of subjecting him to years of sexual harassment, assault and professional retaliation.

Court documents have it that Perry allegedly used his position to cast Dixon in the shows Ruthless and The Oval, but then escalated unwanted contact, including explicit texts and physical assaults, after Dixon resisted.

Following the lawsuit, private text messages between Perry and Dixon were leaked online, causing massive reactions.

These messages, which are included as evidence in the court filings, contained explicit and suggestive content and implied coercion.

The timing of the leak has raised questions about whether it was a strategic move to influence public opinion or intimidate the involved parties.

Reactions to the leaked messages have been mixed:

@Bigbrother_all:

"They don’t prove anything."

@GOD_d3ss:

"Seems like flirting a little and boring conversation. But people are so easily swayed, they'll believe any narrative put out about a black man."

@Bobbyfree21:

"These texts sound like an older guy trying to help a gay guy who is afraid to be gay because of his religious upbringing. 🤔 Seems like he's just being supportive."

@FriendlyTexas83:

"These messages just come across like two friends talking. And I don’t even care about Tyler Perry."

@Nonny_Mpata:

"But this sounds like they were flirting with each other. It doesn’t seem one-sided at all."

@DJBattyBoy:

"He never once told Tyler to stop and he’s claiming harassment."

@d2dz2:

"Seriously, if that’s considered assault, I’d be locked up for half the things I post, and that’s just the public ones 🤣 Those chats are so weak, it’s embarrassing."

@Eye_Of_Horus_01:

"So where’s the evidence? I don’t see any harassment in the texts."

Meanwhile, Perry's legal representative, Matthew Boyd, has strongly denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit a “fabricated scam.”

As reported by The Independent, Bowd also indicated that Perry will not be shaken down by the claims.

Separately, Perry apologised for not being able to host President William Ruto at his studio on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

During the visit, Ruto was accompanied by his family, US Ambassador Meg Whitman, and other members of his delegation.

The group was warmly received by American television personality Steve Harvey, who gave them a tour of Perry's studio complex.

Source: TUKO.co.ke