If a recent lawsuit and years of rumors and innuendo are to be believed, filmmaker and billionaire Tyler Perry may not be in contention for any “boss of the year,” awards. An actor who worked for Perry, after being “discovered” by the director at an event at his Atlanta studio, says he was subjected to sexual harassment, sexual assault and threats while working for the 55-year-old.

Derek Dixon played the character of Dale on Tyler Perry’s BET series “The Oval,” a role he began in 2021. His lawsuit, filed on June 13, in Los Angeles, asks for $260 million in damages.

The suit follows an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint he filed in 2024, after which the producers of the show took no action, according to Dixon.

The story Dixon tells reveals a side of Tyler Perry the public rarely sees. Most know him as an actor, director and philanthropist — a confident, assured man grounded in faith, morality and personal integrity. For many African American writers of a certain generation, relatives within Perry’s core audience often encouraged them to “get a job with Madea.” (Glad I never made that trip.) Perry, who often performs in drag, became an icon in the African American church community, where questions about his private life were largely set aside in favor of focusing on the moral messages in his films and stage plays.

The Tyler Perry described in the lawsuit — the one who allegedly propositioned Dixon repeatedly — is a very different character. Text messages purportedly sent from the studio head’s phone show an insecure man desperate for attention and willing to use his power and influence to get it. Dixon, who claims he attempted to ignore the advances, says he was threatened with losing his position on the show if he didn’t give in. The descriptions of the alleged assaults aren’t fit for this space and, if true, they speak to a disturbing abuse of power that starkly contrasts with the public image Perry has cultivated.

This isn’t the first actor to allude to Perry’s alleged bad behavior. Another performer posted a video last year about his ordeal working for someone who fit Perry’s profile, garnering thousands of views and the support of some of his fellow actors. A few months later, the actor, Christian Keyes, decided to keep quiet and deleted the video.

Far too many workplaces — Hollywood included — can become houses of pain for the people who keep them running. This case matters beyond showbiz gossip because it reflects power dynamics that exist in boardrooms, newsrooms and offices everywhere.

We should hold the powerful to the same standards we hold ourselves, and never mistake a well-lit stage for a healthy workplace behind the scenes.

If you’re navigating a toxic environment, remember this: Your dignity matters more than any title or check. You deserve to be safe, seen and respected. And you’re not alone.