Brian McKnight has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Rickey Smiley Morning Show and others.
He is alleging false and damaging accusations about his behavior as a father. In the lawsuit he is seeking $25,000 in compensatory damages for each claim along with punitive damages.
It all stemmed from interviews in late 2025, including one interview with McKnight’s ex-wife, Julie McKnight, and another where McKnight Jr. made allegations about his father on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show.
McKnight claims the host failed to remain neutral during the interview with Julie McKnight and that the show aired unverified claims about his behavior as a father.
McKnight received a default judgment in a defamation case against his ex-wife Julie McKnight, which she later moved to vacate.
How do you feel about him suing?
