Will Smith begins the new year in a legal battle with a former violinist, Brian King Joseph. In her complaint, the professional singer accuses Smith of sexual harassment and retaliation. It is reported that Smith’s lawyers have responded to these allegations.
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Why Is Brian King Joseph Suing Will Smith?
According to PEOPLE, Joseph filed his complaint in the California Supreme Court on December 30. He also named the actor’s company, Treyball Studios Management Inc., in the lawsuit.
Joseph says Will Smith was like that “deliberate repair and improvement” to be sexually exploited after the world tour invitation, ‘Based on a True Story: 2025.’ That happened in November 2024. Months later, in March 2025, during the release of the album, the violinist says that “a series of traumatic events” happened. Smith’s full tour ran from June to September.
Another incident involved the unauthorized entry of his Las Vegas hotel room by an unknown person. There were no signs of forced entry. But the violinist says she has faced “threats of sexual violence” after allegedly receiving a handwritten note which read, “Brian, I’ll be back…just us.” “Stone F” reportedly signed the note, which also has a drawn heart. Apart from this paper, Brian Joseph King says he found “wipes, a bottle of beer, a red backpack, a bottle of HIV medicine with someone else’s name on it, an earring and discharge papers” from a person whom Joseph does not know. This discovery reportedly scared Brian into thinking that someone unknown would return to his room to “perform sexual acts.”
Joseph’s complaint says he reported the break-in and his belongings to hotel staff, local emergency services and Will Smith’s management. It is not clear how the first two agencies responded, but it is alleged that a member of Smith’s tour management team “shamed” Brian and fired him. Another violinist was later hired to replace Joseph, by PEOPLE.
What Does a Violinist Want?
It is not clear whether Brian King Joseph is seeking financial compensation for damages, but the complaint says he suffered in many ways. The violinist said the incident in March 2025 caused “great emotional distress” followed by “economic loss, reputational damage and other damages.” Joseph is allegedly experiencing “PTSD and other mental illness as a result of the termination.”
Will Smith’s Lawyer Responds to Allegations
Allen B. Grodsky, who represents Will Smith, spoke to PEOPLE about the lawsuit. He and his client deny Brian King Joseph’s allegations.
“Mr. Joseph’s allegations about my client are false, baseless, and absurd,” Grodsky said in a Jan. 1. “They are absolutely denied, and we will use all legal means available to address these claims and make sure the truth comes out.”
Twenty-nine days before Brian sued Will Smith, the actor’s wife was also sued. Jada Pinkett Smith’s ex, Bilaal Salaam, has filed a lawsuit seeking $3 million after allegations that he verbally threatened her. Amidst the news, a source told PEOPLE that the Smiths felt “really angry” about the lawsuit, calling it “a lot of deception.”
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