Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner Lose Bid to Keep Ray J Settlement Private

A judge rules against the Kardashian-Jenner family's attempt to seal details of their settlement with Ray J over his sex tape claims.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:50am

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Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner have lost their legal bid to keep the details of a settlement they reached with singer Ray J confidential. The Kardashians sued Ray J for defamation last year after he accused them of waging a decades-long campaign against him over their 2007 sex tape. Ray J countersued, claiming the Kardashian-Jenner family violated a 2023 settlement agreement by discussing the tape on their reality show. A judge has now denied Kim and Kris' request to seal the settlement terms, ruling they did not present enough evidence that public disclosure would cause them harm.

Why it matters

This ongoing legal saga between the Kardashian-Jenner family and Ray J highlights the continued fallout from their infamous sex tape scandal, which has followed them for nearly two decades. The judge's decision to unseal the settlement details could shed new light on the behind-the-scenes negotiations and power dynamics between the two sides, as well as the Kardashians' efforts to control the narrative around the tape's release and their family's response to it.

The details

In their lawsuit, Kim and Kris accused Ray J of making defamatory statements about them, including claims that they are the subject of a federal criminal investigation. Ray J countersued, alleging the Kardashian-Jenner family violated a 2023 settlement agreement by discussing the sex tape on their Hulu reality show. The settlement was reportedly worth $6 million, with Ray J agreeing to never speak about the tape again. However, the Kardashians sought to keep the terms of that deal confidential, which the judge has now rejected.

  • In October 2022, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner sued Ray J for defamation.
  • In April 2023, Kim, Kris, and Ray J reached a $6 million settlement agreement over the sex tape.
  • In March 2026, a judge denied Kim and Kris' request to keep the settlement details sealed.

The players

Kim Kardashian

A reality TV star and entrepreneur who was the subject of a high-profile sex tape with Ray J in 2007.

Kris Jenner

Kim Kardashian's mother and the family's matriarch, who was also involved in the legal dispute with Ray J.

Ray J

A singer who was Kim Kardashian's partner in a 2007 sex tape, and has since accused the Kardashian-Jenner family of a decades-long campaign against him.

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What they’re saying

“The agreement resolved highly sensitive matters that the parties explicitly agreed to keep confidential in order to protect their families from public disclosure and respect these sensitive matters.”

— Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner's lawyers

“The allegations in the Hulu personalities' lawsuit are a 'public relations charade' filled with 'malicious falsehoods' and it is 'not about defamation' but 'about publicity, power and punishment.'”

— Ray J's legal team

What’s next

The judge has ordered Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner to file unredacted versions of the 2023 settlement agreement with Ray J, which will make the details of that deal public.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions and legal battles between the Kardashian-Jenner family and Ray J over their infamous sex tape, which continues to haunt them nearly two decades later. The judge's decision to unseal the settlement terms could lead to further revelations about the behind-the-scenes negotiations and power dynamics between the two sides.