American Express has filed a lawsuit against singer and reality TV personality Ray J, seeking nearly $140,000 in unpaid debt. The legal action comes just weeks before the artist was arrested at his California home on suspicion of making criminal threats during a tense confrontation with his estranged wife.
Financial and Legal Woes Mount for Singer
Court documents reveal that American Express filed the lawsuit for $139,849.85 on November 19 in Los Angeles Superior Court. The credit card company named the 44-year-old artist, whose real name is William Ray Norwood Jr., as a defendant alongside his streaming venture, Tronix Network. The legal filing claims that Ray J has failed to make payments on the debt since May of this year.
As of the latest reports, Ray J has not formally responded to the lawsuit. A representative for the star has been contacted for comment regarding the financial litigation.
Chaotic Livestream Leads to Arrest
The news of the lawsuit followed a highly publicised domestic incident. On November 27, Ray J was arrested at his Porter Ranch, California home in the early hours of the morning. The arrest was connected to a chaotic Instagram Live stream broadcast around Thanksgiving, which documented a heated argument with his estranged wife, Princess Love.
During the livestream, the 'Wait a Minute' vocalist appeared to brandish and load a handgun while exchanging harsh words with Love, 41. The couple, who share a seven-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son, argued over parenting and personal behaviour. Ray J claimed Love was trying to 'take his kids' and alleged she was drunk, accusations she later denied on social media.
Princess Love stated that Ray J pointed the gun at her, a claim he has disputed. Following the incident, he was taken into custody and later released after posting a $50,000 bond.
A History of Headlines and Estrangement
This recent turmoil adds to the couple's long-running personal struggles. Princess Love initially filed for divorce from Ray J in November 2022, with the divorce proceedings ongoing. In a statement last year, she said, 'It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of our decision to divorce.'
Ray J remains best known for his early 2000s relationship with Kim Kardashian, which gained notoriety after a private sex tape from 2003 was leaked in 2007. He later referenced the relationship in his 2016 single 'I Hit It First', seen as a jab at Kardashian's then-husband, Kanye West.
The singer, who is the brother of artist Brandy, has built a career across music and television, appearing on shows like 'For the Love of Ray J' and 'Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood'. However, his current legal battles, encompassing both significant debt and serious criminal allegations, mark a turbulent period for the star.
