Meghan Markle’s close friend Tyler Perry, who is also Princess Lilibet’s godfather, is being sued for sexual assault and harassment by a former co-star. Perry, who vehemently denies the claims, is the subject of a new lawsuit from Derek Dixon, who worked with him on his drama series, The Oval.
Court documents seen by The Sun allege that Perry, 55, sexually assaulted and sexually harassed the claimant, along with accusations of sexual battery among “other allegations”. It is believed the pair first met at an event in 2019, where they exchanged numbers, leading to a series of alleged events.
Dixon first filed a complaint in June 2024 with the Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission, and quit his job on The Oval, a move in which he claims is due to the alleged sexual harassment.
He is now suing the star and Tyler Perry Studios over the accusations and seeking $260million in damages.
Tyler Perry’s team have denied everything and said in statement to People Magazine: “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam.
“But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
This news is likely to be a shock for Meghan Markle, 43, who has been close friends with Perry since he offered his California home to the duchess and Prince Harry in 2020 when they needed somewhere safe and private to stay after quitting royal life.
Perry handed the couple the keys to his £13k ($18 million) estate to the couple, and they sought refuge there with their son Prince Archie before buying their Montecito home months later.
They had never before met Perry when he exchanged this kind gesture to the couple.
In 2021, after giving birth to their daughter Princess Lilibet, Harry and Meghan asked Perry to be her godfather. They have stayed close ever since, with Perry being close to his four-year-old royal goddaughter.
On the Let’s Talk Off-Camera With Kelly Ripa podcast in 2023, Perry spoke about Lilibet. He said: “She’s so adorable. Oh, she’s so beautiful. She’s just so beautiful.”