Chris Brown’s $500 Million Defamation Lawsuit Over “History of Violence” Documentary Dismissed

A judge has officially thrown out Chris Brown’s massive defamation lawsuit tied to the 2024 documentary Chris Brown: A History of Violence.

The docuseries, which aired on Investigation Discovery, examined Brown’s past controversies, including long-standing allegations of abuse and sexual misconduct. Following its release, Brown filed a $500 million lawsuit against Warner Bros. and production company Ample, accusing them of knowingly presenting false and defamatory claims.

At the time, Brown’s attorney Levi McCathern publicly criticized the companies, accusing them of prioritizing corporate interests over personal reputations and arguing that they ignored evidence disputing the allegations featured in the film.

However, according to Billboard, Judge Colin Leis dismissed the case after personally reviewing the entire documentary. In his ruling, the judge stated that the filmmakers acknowledged inconsistencies raised by Brown, including the presence of disputed text messages, and concluded that the documentary amounted to a “fair and true” presentation of statements and court records tied to the allegations.

As of now, Brown has not publicly commented on the dismissal. He does retain the option to appeal the ruling should he choose to pursue the matter further.

The documentary’s official description frames the project as an exploration of Brown’s life from childhood through superstardom, examining cycles of abuse, survivor experiences, and the psychological aftermath of violence—while questioning how an artist with such a controversial public history has maintained global success.