Ryan Seacrest May Actually Have to Answer Some Questions Under Oath in the Blac Chyna vs. Kardashian-Jenner Lawsuit

Blac Chyna has added another big name to her lawsuit against the Kardashian-Jenner family: Ryan Seacrest.

How (and why) did he get caught up in this mess?

Well, Chyna is attempting to prove the TV host and producer was involved in the cancellation of her show, Rob & Chyna. Seacrest was an executive producer of the E! reality series, which ran for one season in 2016. She now claims he “had direct involvement in, and has personal knowledge of, the specific events that gave rise to this litigation.” She has asked the court to have him submit a deposition, and he was served with a subpoena in December 2018. She is also asking the court to award her $3,255 for any costs associated with her motion.

However, Seacrest is refusing to appear in person for a deposition and has said he had “little to no direct involvement with the production of Rob & Chyna.”

Chyna has been battling the family since her split with Rob Kardashian, specifically Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner. She claims the family leaked unflattering stories about her to the press, and accuses Rob Kardashian of assault, battery, and defamatory statements.

Leaked emails did show that Khloe and Kylie had corresponded about pulling the show. “I feel very strongly about canceling Season 2 of Rob & Chyna,” Kylie wrote in December 2016. “The only reason Chyna wants to be with my brother is for this show. She does not love Rob and their relationship is too fake and destructive.”

The court ruled in November 2018 that the case would go to trial — and Chyna has a good shot at getting Seacrest to answer some questions before then.

Los Angeles-based lawyer Christopher Melcher, founding partner of family law firm Walzer Melcher, explained to Personal Space that Seacrest’s team is most likely currently disputing the claims and planning what next steps will likely be.

“Ryan objected and said that he had nothing material to add because although he was listed as an executive producer of the show, he’s saying in a statement he probably provided to the subpoenaing party that he wasn’t involved in the cancellation of the show so there’s no reason for him to be deposed,” he explained. “He’s trying to put the burden back to them.”

But here’s what could happen:

“There is a broad right to conduct discovery in California to obtain facts and documents in a lawsuit. This includes the right to take a deposition under oath of third parties,” Melcher said. “This would require Ryan to appear for questioning. He has objected because he claims he has no knowledge of anything that will help Chyna’s case. The next step is for the judge to rule whether he has to attend the deposition. Judges usually order witnesses to be deposed, so he will have to convince the judge that he has nothing to add to the case. Most likely the judge will order Ryan to submit answers to written questions in lieu of a deposition, or attend a short deposition session.”

And, he added, “The way the two parents here handled their breakup had repercussions beyond the family law issues they face. This goes to show why couples need to handle their affairs better so their children and their business interests are not damaged.”