“Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris says in new court papers that a lawsuit brought against him by his sister alleging breach of contract should be dismissed and that she should be ordered to pay him attorneys’ fees, if applicable, as well as his costs in defending the case.
Colette Barris alleges in her Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit filed Dec. 12 that her sibling broke a commitment in which they had agreed to avoid disparaging each other when he told a third party in 2022 that his sister is a woman with no talent.
In a seven-page answer filed Wednesday with Judge Michael P. Linfield, Kenya Barris’ attorneys argue that all of the plaintiff’s claims are uncertain and backed by insufficient evidence. The same lawyers also maintain Colette Barris waived any rights she had to make the allegations and that she consented to and ratified her sibling’s conduct.
Kenya Barris, 49, is a film and television writer, producer, director and actor. Colette Barris has been a teacher for 35 years at Los Angeles Unified high schools and middle schools and has been assigned to Cheviot Hills High School for the past six years.
“She has a well-earned, sterling record as an educator,” Colette Barris’ court papers state.
In December 2020, Kenya Barris sought a domestic violence restraining order against the plaintiff, alleging that she had abused his children, Colette Barris’ court papers state.
Two months later, the siblings reached an agreement for Kenya Barris to drop his restraining order request and he promised not to disparage her in the future, but he broke that commitment in June 2022 by making unflattering comments about his sister to a third party, according to her court papers, stating that his sister is a “no-talent hack.”
Kenya Barris is represented by attorney Bryan J. Freedman, whose clients also include Don Lemon and Tucker Carlson.