Billy Masters 06.26.25
"To be very clear, I am in 'Pirates!' until the end of the run of 'Pirates!'...I told my agents, 'I have to take August off... unless 'Oh, Mary!' calls. And then went, 'Oh, Mary!' called."
- Jinkx Monsoon announces she'll be the latest Mary on Broadway starting on August 4th.
Just as we were closing in on the one-year anniversary of his arrest, Austin Wolf finally appeared in court for his preliminary hearing. As you'll undoubtedly recall, the Feds raided the gay porn superstar's home on June 28, 2024 and arrested him for sending and receiving hundreds of child sexual abuse videos. People kept asking for updates. Curiously, the preliminary hearing kept getting delayed in one-month increments...until last week. Wolf (real name: Justin Heath Smith) was on one side of the courtroom. The Assistant District Attorney was on the other. The charges were read, which included interstate commerce, enticing a minor to engage in activity in the facility of another individual, and oral sex with an individual younger than 17 years old. And then, Wolf pled guilty!
However, he made no mention of the child sexual abuse videos. "In late 2023 or early 2024, I induced a 15-year-old to engage in a sex act, I don't remember through text or [social media], but phones were definitely used. I know what I was doing was wrong. I apologize. I knew it was wrong when I did it. I don't blame anyone else for my conduct. It was another person engaging in the conduct. I take full 100 percent responsibility for my actions and I am prepared for the consequence," said Wolf in what sounds like a very carefully crafted statement. We're told the child sexual explotation charges will be dropped in light of his admission of guilt to the more serious crime. The minimum mandatory charge is 10 years in prison. He will be sentenced on September 9th.
In a curious codicil to this story, one unknown man was in the courtroom. After the hearing, he identified himself as a "former fan" of Austin Wolf. "I wish I could get a refund on all the money I spent on his videos."
While Wolf was in court, Tyler Perry was slapped with a $260 million lawsuit by actor Derek Dixon, who had the role of gay store clerk in "The Oval". According to the lawsuit, "Mr. Perry took his success and power and used his considerable influence in the entertainment industry to create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic with Mr. Dixon—initially promising 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." According to Dixon, he met Tyler while working at a party in 2019. Perry asked if he was an actor, and they exchanged numbers. There were quite a few texts (which Dixon has saved), and Tyler eventually gave him a role in the series "Ruthless". A month later, he gave Dixon a new car, allegedly because Tyler didn't like Dixon's Jeep! At no point did Dixon sense any quid pro quo. But he claims that Perry said his ideal relationship would be a male who he could provide for, who would be loyal, but emotionally detached. "Whoever ends up with me is gonna be a happy motherfucker." Where do I apply?
A few months later, Derek was at Tyler's for dinner. They drank a bit too much, so Perry suggested Derek spend the night in a guest room. Here is the lawsuit's account of what happened: "Dixon was tired and did not have pajamas and so he got into bed only wearing underwear. Before he knew what was happening, Dixon felt someone else slip into bed behind him and start rubbing Dixon's body around his inner thigh in a highly sexual and suggestive manner. Dixon turned around and saw that Tyler Perry was in bed with him." Derek allegedly told Tyler he wasn't really into sex and left quickly the next morning. Shortly thereafter, he got this text from Tyler: "I would hope you would let some one hold you and make love to you. You are missing the best years of your life my friend. Trust me. I hope you get past that block in your mind soon." Dixon told Tyler he was a devout Christian. Tyler responded, "What's it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?" Buddhism was mentioned as an option.
Shortly thereafter, Derek's role transitioned to Perry's other series, "The Oval". Around that time, Tyler asked if Derek was a top or a bottom. Dixon doesn't reveal his response, but claims Perry said he was a top. "When you have a big dick and when you hit the G-spot right on these bottoms, they go crazy." Around his birthday, Perry said that all he wanted was "Biscuits and BJ's", but all he ever got was "Biscuits" (which sounds good to me).
Derek pitched a pilot he wanted to shoot and Perry showed interest—and asked him to come to his house. They discussed the show over numerous alcoholic beverages. Derek tried to leave, but Perry wanted to show him a weight monitor he had. He instructed Derek to strip to his underwear to try it, which he did. Perry then allegedly pulled down Derek's underwear and slapped his buttocks. According to Derek, he protested but Tyler said, "Relax...just let it happen." The lawsuit describes the scene: "Dixon was naked, and being groped by a large, drunk, and sexually frustrated 6'5" man who had Dixon in his clutches." And then he came up with an idea—he told Perry he "couldn't do anything sexual because he was so hungry." So Tyler ordered a pizza—probably Domino's, because it would be there in 30 mins or less! Dixon then locked himself in the guest bathroom. The next day, Perry apologized for his actions and blamed it on the alcohol.
After more harassing calls and texts, Dixon started to believe Tyler was promising to produce his pilot in order to let the statute of limitations run out. He reported the situation to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and also said he would not return to "The Oval"—a decision he says cost him close to $400K. Dixon claims Tyler told him he'd be in breach of contract if he told people why he quit. Dixon claims to be coming forward to help other people, and claims that Perry "has been using his power and influence to molest, abuse, and sexually assault impressionable and vulnerable employees and actors who look to him for guidance and mentorship while pursuing their dreams." How conveniently he forgets about the car, the jobs, and the pizza!
After two heavy subjects, let's turn to youth suicide. OK, certainly not a lighter subject. Over these many decades, I've written about the work done by The Trevor Project—the suicide prevention hotline specifically focusing on LGBTQ+ youths. I was unaware of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You know how you can call 911 in case of an emergency? Well, apparently you can call 988 if you're having suicidal thoughts or concerns for someone else. And if you press 3, you would be connected to someone specifically catering to LGBTQI+ people under 25...until July 17th. The hotline, which is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is a subsidiary of the US Health and Human Services Agency (HHS). They have determined that there's no need to specifically "silo LGB+ youth services"—note that the government took the "T" out (they also took out the "Q", the "I", and any other letters that follow). They claim this is to "focus on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the Press 3 option". They also say, "Anyone who calls the Lifeline will continue to receive compassion and help." That remains to be seen. Critics claim the exclusion of the "T" only underscores the administration's attempt to erase the trans community. Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black said, "Suicide prevention is about people, not politics." They will continue to be available to those in need.
Our "Ask Billy" question come from Linda in Maine: "I remember a while ago you wrote about seeing a production of 'Gypsy' with a Mama Rose who wasn't white. But everyone says Audra is the first. Am I crazy?"
You may be—I'm no doctor. But you are also correct. Audra is not the first woman of color to play Mama Rose. She is, however, the first to do so on Broadway. You're obviously a longtime reader because Leslie Uggams played the role at the Connecticut Repertory Theatre in 2014. Uggams has also been the lead in "Hello, Dolly!", "Anything Goes", "Cabaret", "Mame", and even "Master Class"—a play also based on a real-life Caucasian woman (Maria Callas). Should you be curious, footage of Uggams in "Gypsy" can be found on BillyMasters.com.
When the Big Bad Wolf is staying put in the pokey, it's definitely time to end yet another column. It's also a good time to let Tyler Perry know that this writer is not only available, but loves pizza and biscuits! That said, I'm not what one would call discreet, as you'll see on www.BillyMasters.com—the site that makes for good bedtime reading! If you have a question for me, send it to [email protected] (along with roses of assorted colors) and I promise to get back to you before I give anyone a refund. Until next time, remember, one man's filth is another man's bible.