Divorce proceedings for television producer Kenya Barris and Dr. Raina “Rainbow” Barris are underway.
Kenya Barris, the co-creator of “black-ish” that aired on ABC for eight seasons, filed for divorce in June, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The couple was married in 1999. The Barrises have been living separately for nearly two years — since Sept. 9, 2020, according to court documents.
Court documents also indicate that Raina Barris responded to Kenya Barris’ divorce petition on July 21. and she is not only seeking spousal support but also primary physical custody and joint legal custody of their four adolescent four children: Lola, 16; Beau, 14; Kass, 12; and Bronx, 6.
Kenya Barris requests joint physical and legal custody of the children and agrees that Raina Barris should receive monthly spousal support. While the couple does not agree on the type of custody that will be provided for the children, they both agree that their marriage has ended, listing the same dates of separation.
Raina Barris also requested that Kenya Barris pay her legal fees associated with the divorce proceedings and that his right to spousal support be terminated as “the full nature and extent of [Rain’s] separate property has not yet been determined” and “the full nature and extent of community and quasi-community property assets and obligations are not presently known.” Raina Barris noted that she would amend her response to the petition once the property was determined.
This is not the Barris couple’s first experience with divorce proceedings. In 2014, Raina Barris filed for divorce, but dismissed the petition a year later. Five years later, in 2019, Kenya Barris filed, but also dismissed his petition. Within one year, the couple was separated.
Kenya Barris’ net worth is estimated to be worth more than $75 million, according to Celebrity Networth.
He began his career in television as a writer on shows such as “The Game,” “Girlfriends” and “Soul Food.” He went on to co-create and produce “America’s Next Top Model with Tyra Banks” and wrote the screenplay for “Girls Trip.” The critically acclaimed show “black-ish” as well as the spin-offs “grown-ish” and “mixed-ish” helped position Kenya Barris as a well-sought-after director and producer.
Kenya Barris made his acting debut in “#blackAF,” a series developed for Netflix that was part of a three-year deal worth $100 million. However, the streaming service and Kenya Barris ended their partnership, citing creative differences.
Raina Barris is an anesthesiologist who wrote “Keeping Up With the Johnsons: Bow’s Guide to Black-ish Parenting.”
The divorce is ongoing.
