R&B artist Brian McKnight is suing singer Jaguar Wright

The R&B artist who plays We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort in Fort McDowell this summer addresses claims Wright made about him online.

By Amy Young

May 12, 2025

Image: Brian McKnight on the red carpet at Celebrity Fight Night XXV at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona.

Brian McKnight on the red carpet at Celebrity Fight Night XXV at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Gage Skidmore

What happens on the ground matters — Your support makes it possible.

We’re aiming to raise $7,000 by August 10, so we can deepen our reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now: grassroots protests, immigration, politics and more.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$7,000

$1,800

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "21251496",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "21327862",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "16759093",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "17980324",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "21934225",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25          
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "17980324",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17012245",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

R&B singer Brian McKnight is Arizona-bound this summer for a show at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort in Fort McDowell. That seems a less complicated endeavor than the current defamation lawsuit the singer filed May 1 against Jaguar Wright.

In the lawsuit obtained by TMZ, McKnight sued Wright over comments that she had made about him and his ex-wife, Julie McKnight. On her social media platforms, Wright alleged that Julie was a victim of domestic violence and verbal assault perpetrated by McKnight. She also claimed that he paid sex workers not only to have intercourse but also to let him hurt them during the act.

Wright also alleges that she is Julie McKnight’s cousin. Brian McKnight has publicly said he has seen no evidence of a family connection between the two women.

Wright has a history of using social media to make allegations about various celebrities. In 2024, Vibe published a list of her most controversial claims.

Amy Young is the Music Editor at Phoenix New Times. She joined the New Times staff in May 2025 after more than a decade of covering arts and music for the publication. In her role, Amy writes about music, searches for compelling news and works with writers who are also dedicated to bringing quality music and music-related stories to readers across the Valley and beyond. Previously, Amy worked for the Arizona Republic, Hearst Connecticut Media Group and Newsbreak.

A message from Music Editor Amy Young: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Phoenix's music, events and entertainment scenes.

Support Today