Rihanna Dragged Into $500 Million Legal Dispute Over Documentary Labeling Chris Brown A ‘Sexual Abuser’

Rihanna’s name is being dragged into Chris Brown’s $500 million defamation lawsuit.

via: In Touch

The producers behind the 2024 documentary Chris Brown: A History of Violence, along with Warner Bros. (who own Discovery, where the film aired), submitted new evidence in court, obtained by In Touch, as part of their effort to dismiss Chris’ defamation lawsuit.

As In Touch first reported, Chris, 35, sued the producers and studio, along with a woman who had a sexual assault lawsuit against Chris thrown out, for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The musician claimed the film falsely labeled him as a “serial rapist and sexual abuser.” He claimed the film featured a woman who had previously accused him of sexual assault.

Chris said the woman’s claims were “determined to be entirely fabricated, leading to the withdrawal of her attorneys and dismissal of the case on August 25, 2022, after a Miami Beach Police detective uncovered text messages sent by [Jane] that exposed her dishonesty.” The singer said despite this, the producers still included her in the documentary.

Chris’ lawyer added, “Mr. Brown has never been found guilty of any sex related crime (rape, sexual battery, sexual assault etc.) but this documentary states in every available fashion that he is a serial rapist and sexual abuser.”

As In Touch first reported, Warner Bros. and the producers denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

A lawyer for the companies argued, “[Chris’] claims are barred, in whole or in part, to the extent that any statements and/or alleged implications that form the basis for the claims could be interpreted as asserting verifiable facts, those facts are not materially false and/or are substantially true.”

Now, in newly filed court documents obtained by In Touch, Warner Bros. and the producers submitted a series of news articles about Chris’ legal troubles over the years.

Their lawyer said, “All of these exhibits consist of news articles, or other media, published online about the work at issue in this case and its subject matter, namely the Documentary and the widely publicized reporting of Chris Brown’s criminal history and violence towards women, and are being introduced to demonstrate that the Complaint arises from acts in furtherance of Defendants’ free speech rights.”

The defendants pointed the court to articles about Chris Brown’s arrest for domestic violence after he assaulted Rihanna, 37.

Chris pleaded guilty to felony assault. Per his plea deal, he was ordered to five years of probation and domestic violence counseling. Rihanna previously spoke about forgiving Chris for the incident.

Another article entered into evidence referred to a five-year restraining order that Karrueche, 36, was granted in 2017. The documentary producers also point to an alleged fight that Chris had with Frank Ocean.

Another defendant, Michelle Taylor, fired back at Chris’ lawsuit this week.

In court documents, obtained by In Touch, Michelle, who spoke during the documentary but claimed she did not utter any of the statements Chris takes issue with in his complaint, also referenced Chris’ past troubles.

She noted that one of the statements he had a problem with arises from “widely-reported, fully disclosed, and undisputed facts regarding [Chris’] highly-publicized assault of his ex-girlfriend Rihanna, as well as numerous incidents of [Chris] threatening or violently assaulting others—all of which are discussed in detail in the Documentary.”

Chris has yet to respond to Rihanna and Karrueche being name dropped in the case.

Chris’ lawyer, Levi G. McCathern, II previously told In Touch, “Warner Bros.’ statements are nonsense. I informed them that the storyline they were promoting was false. Despite this, they proceeded forward, motivated solely by greed. It is ridiculous to take the position that their actions do not constitute malice.”