Chris Brown has filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros and production company Ample over the documentary Chris Brown: A History of Violence, which includes allegations of sexual assault that he vehemently denies. The documentary, released in October last year, features testimony from an anonymous dancer, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, who alleged that the singer raped her aboard a yacht in Miami in 2020. Brown’s legal team has branded the claims as “baseless” and “sensationalized,” accusing Warner Bros of prioritizing profit over journalistic integrity and recklessly tarnishing his reputation.
The lawsuit, filed in a Los Angeles court today Tuesday 22nd January, seeks $500 million in damages. Brown’s lawyers claim that they had warned the documentary’s producers about the misleading and discredited nature of the allegations, including evidence tampering. Despite these warnings, they argue, Warner Bros released the film without regard for the impact on Brown’s life and career. Neither Warner Bros nor Ample responded to requests for comment.
This isn’t the first time the allegations from Jane Doe have surfaced. She initially sued Chris Brown in 2022, seeking $20 million in damages, claiming that he had drugged and raped her during a party at a property owned by music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. However, a judge dismissed the case, leaving the allegations unresolved in the public eye.
Chris Brown’s legal troubles are not new. The Forever singer’s history includes several high-profile incidents, such as pleading guilty to assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009, for which he served probation and completed community service. In 2014, he admitted to punching a man outside a Washington, D.C., hotel. He also faced accusations in 2016 from a model who claimed he assaulted her in Las Vegas, though police cited insufficient evidence to pursue charges. In 2017, a court ordered him to stay away from his ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran after she alleged he threatened her life. Despite these incidents, Brown’s legal team asserts that he has never been found guilty of any sexual crime.
The documentary also revisits allegations from a rape inquiry in Paris, where Brown was released without charge, adding to what his legal team describes as a “pattern of unsubstantiated claims.” His lawyers argue that the inclusion of such allegations in the documentary undermines not only Brown’s efforts to rebuild his reputation but also the credibility of genuine survivors of violence. Levi McCathern, Brown’s attorney, stated that the actions of Warner Bros and Ample were damaging not just to his client but to the broader discourse around sexual violence.
In a move to demonstrate solidarity with survivors, Chris Brown has pledged to donate a portion of any damages awarded from the lawsuit to organizations supporting victims of sexual violence. His legal team maintains that the documentary’s portrayal was a calculated act of defamation, driven by a disregard for the truth and a focus on financial gain. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for both the “Loyal” singer’s career and the responsibilities of media companies when reporting on allegations against public figures.
Check out the post below in which Chris Brown sues Warner Bros:
