Grammy-nominated R&B singer Brian McKnight is facing legal action from his daughter Briana McKnight for defamation. Briana claims Brian posted a video on his social media in 2019 where he falsely accused her of having sexual intercourse with an older cousin when she was a minor.
The case has since gone to court, and Briana has been awarded damages after proving that her reputation was harmed.
The Allegations
According to court documents, Briana McKnight filed a lawsuit against her father, Brian McKnight, stating the R&B singer “maliciously defamed he.” Briana claims her father posted a video on his social media in 2019 where he falsely accused her of having sexual intercourse with an older cousin when she was a minor.
Briana claimed that her father’s statement was libel per se, which is when a jury may assume that the plaintiff’s reputation was harmed. She also added Brian’s actions were motivated by “animosity.”
The Court Case
Briana had to share her sexual history with a judge to prove that Brian lied. The judge ruled in Briana’s favor, and Brian had to pay damages.
Many fans took to Twitter to express their support for Briana and disappointment in Brian’s actions.
One fan on Twitter said, “Brian McKnight is TRASH!! HAPPY SHE WON HER CASE!!!” Another fan wrote, “Every day I learn how much of a vile human Brian McKnight is, shocking.”
The defamation case involving McKnight and his daughter brings to mind a recent incident involving rapper Nicki Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty, who was falsely accused of rape. Fans were outraged after a video revealed the false accusations and their impact on Petty’s reputation.
Brian McKnight’s situation is not unique in the entertainment industry. Rapper 50 Cent has had a difficult relationship with his son and has been estranged from him for years.