Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner Score Legal Victory in Defamation Case Against Ray J
A judge has allowed Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner to continue their defamation lawsuit against Ray J. The lawsuit alleges Ray J maliciously defamed them by suggesting they were or should be targets of a racketeering investigation. This is the latest development in their ongoing legal battle.
Judge Steven Ellis rejected Ray J's attempt to dismiss the case under California's anti-SLAPP statute, which shields speech from meritless lawsuits. The judge determined the statements, made during a 2025 TMZ interview and subsequent livestream, could reasonably be seen as accusing the women of criminal activity.
The litigation stems from an October 2025 filing. While a trial is scheduled for March 2028, Ray J's attorney Howard King announced an immediate appeal that will halt proceedings. Separately, Ray J's cross-complaint regarding a settlement breach has been routed to arbitration.
This ruling may influence how public figures pursue legal action against critics, potentially emboldening similar defamation suits in the entertainment sphere. It could also highlight the tension between free speech protections and reputational harm, affecting how commentators and media outlets frame allegations about celebrities. Observers may see this as a signal that courts are willing to let juries decide the limits of such public disputes.