Kardashians Take The Stand Against Chyna With One Win So Far
Everyone was warned, "don't go against the family," but that doesn't mean everyone will listen. The Kardashians are probably one
Victoria Liotta
Everyone was warned, "don't go against the family," but that doesn't mean everyone will listen. The Kardashians are probably one of the most powerful families in the spotlight and, anyone who tries to put up a fight against them is daring. Lucky for us, the industry is full of bold people, specifically ones who want to take a crack at the very famous family.
One popular name who's been matched up in headlines with the Kardashians lately is Blac Chyna. The model is no stranger to the family and actually hasn't shared much of the spotlight with them since her separation from Rob Kardashian. However, she filed a lawsuit against the family years ago that has recently become the big talk of the media. A statement made by her attorney, Lynne Ciani, in October 2020 revealed, "Blac Chyna will seek millions in compensatory and punitive damages from Kris [Jenner], Kim [Kardashian], Khloe [Kardashian], and Kylie [Jenner] for defamation, intentional interference with contract, and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage."
At the time, Ciani claimed that Chyna's reality television career was "permanently damaged" as a result of the Kardashian family. Although, according to most recent news, it doesn't seem that the judge agrees.
Going After The Kardashians Once And For All
Blac Chyna initially filed against the family in 2017 after believing that the Kardashians used their "power and influence over the E! network to kill the second season." At first, she named Kris, Khloe, Kylie, Kendall Jenner and Kourtney Kardashian. Since originally filling however, she's named Kim, Kris, Khloe and Kylie in the lawsuit.
Two months after filing a lawsuit against the Kardashians a judge ordered for the production company behind Rob & Chyna, Bunim/Murray Production, to turn over all footage shot for season 2. And, in April 2022, Chyna tweeted, "I am so thankful that a jury will finally listened to what really happened behind closed doors- the lies that were told and the damage that was done. At the end of the trial, I'm going to be able to proudly tell King and Dream that I did everything I could to right the wrong that was done to me. And that, in life, it is my hope that they will be able to stand up for themselves when it matters too."
The Kardashian's most definitely tried to dismiss the lawsuit because let's be real, they don't have time for court. But, in October 2020 the judge denied their request due to Chyna's "substantial evidence." And, in April 2022 when referring to the trial, Chyna tweeted, "I plan to re-focus my attention on my trial against Kris Jenner and her daughters Kim, Khloe, and Kylie which starts in 13 days." She expressed her sadness over the situation writing, "what they did was so wrong," explaining how cancelling her "#1 hit show" hurt her not only financially but emotionally too.
The Evidence Takes The Stand
The unreleased season 2 recordings of Rob & Chyna were used as evidence when the mother of two filed the lawsuit against the Kardashians. So, naturally, Keeping Up With the Kardashians video footage was also submitted as evidence to fight against Chyna's claims. Clips include Rob discussing his relationship with Chyna and his family meeting Dream for the first time.
Alongside clips from the show was documents of text messages and emails send from Kris, Kylie and Khloe which include accusations of Chyna abusing Rob. An email from Kylie revealed her concern that Chyna "will proceed with using and physically abusing my brother." Kris accused Chyna of abusing Rob as well writing, "she beat the s–t out of Rob's face." But, Chyna's lawyers are attempting to prove that these messages are defamatory against her.
One of Chyna's toughest battles in court is her truth about pointing a gun at Rob's head in December 2016. When she took this stand this past April she claimed that her actions were done in a joking manner. (weird flex, but okay). Chyna also revealed that the gun was not loaded and her finger wasn't on the trigger.
Khloe also testified in April 2022 claiming that she was focusing her energy on protecting Rob from the "outrageous/ chaotic/ violent behavior" that his relationship with Chyna instigated. During her court appearance she added in, "We were all considering now being part of such toxicity." Following that, an email from 2016 that was sent by Khloe was read to the court. The Good American co-founder stated, "We are even considering not moving forward with our show if theirs continues, that's how strongly we feel this is damaging to our family."
Kim was called out for a misleading text that read, "Chyna can never be on her show." However, she clarified that she meant to write "our show" but, because she typically texts through voice notes, sometimes wrong words get written.
Most recently, due to lack of evidence, the judge found Kim to be not guilty of defaming Chyna.
Judge Drops Defamation Claim Against Kim
With Chyna after multiple members of the Kardashian klan, there's no saying that she might get a payout from one of them but, Kim Kardashian will not be on that potential list. The KKW Beauty founder received a major victory in court when the judge granted her lawyer's motion to drop the defamation claim against her.
Michael Rhodes, the attorney for the Kardashian-Jenner family, issued a document of the judges decision which read, in part, "There is no evidence that defendant Kim Kardashian took a 'responsible part' in the publication of the alleged statements by the other defendants."
Chyna's lawyer was quick to retaliate that "to support a claim for defamation, [Blac Chyna] need only establish that the individual defendants took a 'responsible part' in the publication of the defamatory matter."
But, the judge ruled otherwise.