Singer-songwriter Brian McKnight is in the headlines again in relation to his ex-wife and older children.
The “Back at One,” has officially filed a defamation of character lawsuit targeting The Rickey Smiley Morning Show and North Carolina radio personality Karen Clark, per HotNewHipHop.
The complaint stems from the public scrutiny surrounding the relationship between McKnight and his two eldest adult children. In January 2025, Clark conducted an interview with his ex‑wife, Julie McKnight on Foxy 107.1. The episode aired from the station’s Raleigh studio and was also posted on its YouTube channel.
McKnight claims that the interview painted him as an “emotionally abusive, mentally abusive, and neglectful father.” He further asserts that Clark co-signed with Julie McKnight’s accusations, nodding along instead of remaining neutral. He added the long-time radio host should have provided him a chance to respond or added a disclaimer.
McKnight points to specific moments in the interview where Julie claims she and their kids were “asked to leave our house at two and three years old,” and says she’s been “putting out fires” with their adult children over what she calls his “lies” about their family.
The lawsuit also calls out Urban One’s nationally syndicated Rickey Smiley Morning Show. It claims that the December 15, 2025 episode features a clip from an outside interview with McKnight’s eldest son, Brian McKnight Jr. In the clip McKnight Jr. claimed his dad refused to tell Niko he loved him as he was dying from cancer in May 2025.
McKnight is seeking $25,000 in compensatory damages for each claim, as well as punitive damages.
Neither Rickey Smiley nor Karen Clark have released a formal statement regarding the litigation as of Tuesday afternoon.
The lawsuit arrives after the singer faced years of publich backlash for his decision to “disown” his eldest children, whom he has referred to as “evil” and “product[s] of sin.” This stance has led to several high-profile clashes, including canceled concert dates and public rebukes from other celebrities, such as Tyrese Gibson and Marc Lamont Hill.