KJ Barnes

KJ (second from left, seated) and BJ's parents at BJ's Baptism

KJ is Benjamin Jason "BJ" Barnes' sister, hailing with his family from Asheville, North Carolina. It is not known what the initials "KJ" stand for, but KJ has a complicated relationship with her brother, over his marriage to Judy Gemstone. BJ's family was raised in a non-religious household, and their upbringing and family dynamic clashes with the heavily religious Gemstone family. Because Judy and BJ got married in a secretive ceremony at Walt Disney World, Judy stages BJ's baptism ceremony and reception as a substitute. KJ has a rocky relationship with her sister-in-law, due to Judy deciding not to let BJ's family stay with them at their house in the Gemstone compound, where Baby Billy Freeman and Tiffany are also staying. This upsets KJ, as her family would have to stay in a local hotel instead of lodging for free with BJ and Judy. KJ and Judy go at each other's throats during BJ's baptism, and this creates a massive fight within BJ's family over how Judy treats them. KJ's disdain for BJ's clothing choices also creates friction, and creates an uneasy dynamic between the two now-joined families. KJ is played by actress Lily Sullivan, who is engaged to BJ's actor, Tim Baltz, in real life.

## Season 2

KJ is introduced in season 2, attending her brother BJ's baptism in the episode "As to How They Might Destroy Him". The relationship between Judy and BJ's family gets off to a rocky start, as Judy elected to not host BJ's family because of her aunt Tiffany's presence, who Judy describes as "feral". This upsets KJ, as they had to stay at a nearby hotel. The service and reception rub BJ's family the wrong way, as Judy sings a song with pointed references to BJ leaving his family, and adopting hers as a result of his baptism and marriage to Judy. Judy also mocks their nonreligious background, remarking to her father Eli, that "[BJ's family] are from Asheville, Daddy, they hate God." This is in reference to BJ's hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, famous for being a liberal and artsy city that's primarily not religious, surrounded by an area that's known for high levels of religious adherence. BJ's family seems to respect his choice of conversion to Christianity, but tacitly disapproves of him being involved with the volatile Gemstone clan.

After BJ changes into his pink velvet romper and cummerbund, he presents himself to his family, walking with Judy to "Dance Hall Days", much like a senior prom. KJ believes BJ is wearing the outfit humorously or ironically, mocking it much to BJ and Judy's chagrin. Characterizing it as a "onesie", BJ has to correct KJ in telling her that, "It's not a onesie. It's a romper with a cummerbund." Between KJ's mocking of BJ's outfit to Judy's constant antagonizing towards KJ, tension builds up. Judy even has an awkward confrontation with KJ in the women's bathroom, where Judy constantly tries to get KJ to admit she has sexual feelings for her brother, to no avail and substantially creeping KJ out. Eventually, BJ and his family have a full blown fight, which results in BJ's outfit being torn. BJ also loses his temper and tries to throw a piece of a life-sized cake in BJ's likeness, missing his family members and accidentally hitting Eli. Eli loses his temper and decries the entire event for its decadence, opting to leave the reception. While storming out through the hallway, Eli is cut off by Kelvin Gemstone and his God Squad, still angry over Eli's refusal to let Kelvin and the squad travel to Israel. While Eli and Kelvin engage in their altercation, this takes all of the attention away from BJ's dysfunctional family and disagreement, pretty much laying the issue to rest.

KJ is later seen with her and BJ's parents at the final church service scene at the end of the episode, attending the service administered by Eli.