The creator of the hit TV show Black-ish starring Anthony Anderson and Tracy Ellis Ross, Kenya Barris has found herself in some legal trouble as a man claims that the show is based on his life.
Bryan Barber claims that he and Kenya are old acquaintances who both worked as writers and both came up with the idea for a show that centered around a successful and affluent black man and his family living and working in a very ‘white-centric’ space.
According to TMZ, the lawsuit filed against Barris says that Barber and her formed a partnership in 2006, and came up with a script focusing on the “black experience” … through the eyes of a “successful, creative and affluent black man” working in the mostly white entertainment industry.
He also claims that “Black-ish” has tons of similarities to the OG show idea — such as the lead character driving a luxury car, wearing high-end clothes, and marrying a bi-racial doctor named “Rainbow.”
Barber is therefore suing Barris and the production company for at least $1 million and for writer and creator credits on the show.
YARA SHAHIDI, MARSAI MARTIN
Kenya Barris and her representatives are yet to respond to the allegations. The new season of Black-ish will premiere on the 21st of September.