R&B veteran Brian McKnight is already claiming victory in his defamation lawsuit against ex-wife Julie McKnight, despite the case not being officially settled. After Julie failed to appear in court, Brian filed a motion for default judgment and took to social media to celebrate. In a video shared online, the singer puffed on a cigar and declared, “The verdict is in,” claiming he’d won $8.8 million in damages — even though the court has yet to confirm the ruling.

The lawsuit stems from allegations in Julie’s book Mama Bear: Beautifully Blended, in which she described Brian as an abusive husband and neglectful father. In his celebratory clip, Brian danced and clicked his heels while a voicemail (allegedly from Julie), played in the background, instructing him not to contact their late son, Niko, who passed away from cancer at 32. The court had given the parties 21 days from October 6 to respond, leaving the final outcome still pending.

However, Brian’s son, Brian McKnight Jr., condemned his father’s public celebration, especially since it coincided with his late brother’s birthday. Taking to Instagram, McKnight Jr. criticized his father’s behavior, calling him “a very hurt and emotionally unavailable person” who “still hasn’t handled the death of his own mother.” He added that choosing to post such content on his brother’s birthday showed a deep lack of maturity and empathy, reigniting family tensions that have long simmered in public view.