“The Oval” Actor Braxton Wells Accuses Tyler Perry Studio VP of Sexual Assault—And Says He Got a $500K NDA Payoff
Hollywood drama just hit a new high.
Braxton Wells, known for his role on The Oval, has taken to Instagram to accuse Mark E. Swinton, Vice President of Scripted Programming at Tyler Perry Studios, of sexual assault. In a viral video, Braxton claims that Swinton “groomed and raped me” while abusing his power—booking Braxton from L.A. to Georgia under false pretenses, taking him out to dinner, then allegedly drugging and assaulting him at Swinton’s home. The actor is now calling out Tyler Perry for allegedly allowing a “predator in your house” and covering it up.
A $500,000 Payoff—and a Chilling NDA
Things get darker. Braxton also shared a settlement agreement reportedly worth \$500K, signed by Tyler Perry Studios. The studio denied liability, but Braxton claims the payout came with a strict non-disclosure agreement (NDA) demanding his silence. This settlement was finalized before fellow Oval actor Derrick Dixon filed his \$260 million lawsuit spilling even more alleged abuse.
Braxton says he accepted the money under pressure and even consulted Dixon’s legal team—who allegedly turned him away due to Georgia’s statute of limitations.
A Proud Whistleblower
In his emotional post, Braxton calls out Tyler Perry directly, saying:
“Yahweh Elohim sees all… No contract or celebrity circle will stop Yahweh’s judgment.”
He’s urging federal authorities to revisit the case and consider criminal charges against Tyler Perry Studios for allegedly shielding a high-ranking executive and coercively silencing victims.
What Derrick Dixon’s Lawsuit Adds
This scandal closely follows Derrick Dixon’s blockbuster $260 million civil suit that dropped weeks ago. Dixon, also from The Oval, alleges Tyler Perry sexually harassed and assaulted him—detailing incidents like uninvited advances, groping in Perry’s home, and heavy retaliation when Dixon resisted.
Perry’s team responded, calling Dixon’s lawsuit “fabricated” and a “scam,” but notably avoided directly addressing many of the most serious claims.
Why It Matters
- Power imbalance: Wells paints Swinton as someone who abused studio authority and emotional leverage.
- Industry silence: An alleged half-million-dollar hush deal suggests internal cover-up.
- Ripple effect: Wells hopes his public confession will push the justice system and lead to criminal charges or federal investigation.
- Culture shift: This adds momentum to calls for transparency in Hollywood—particularly within historically sheltered spaces like Tyler Perry Studios.
What’s Next?
Braxton Wells has made his case public—but it’s unclear whether law enforcement or federal prosecutors will open a criminal inquiry. Tyler Perry Studios has not yet commented.
With Braxton’s bombshell dropping amid Derrick Dixon’s massive lawsuit, scrutiny on Tyler Perry and his internal leadership is only growing. If more victims come forward, this could ignite real change within Hollywood’s executive ranks.
Stay tuned. Because this story? It’s far from over.