Will Smith has had a storied career, both as an actor and as a musician. Recently, however, he has become the subject of a lawsuit with claims of s3xual harassment and wrongful termination. Smith’s legal team has also since spoken out about the suit. Notably, the case was filed by a former contestant on America’s Got Talent.

A Complaint Was Filed Against Will Smith Back In December

Smith first gained recognition as “the Fresh Prince,” one half of a pop duo with DJ Jazzy Jeff. He then gained a wider audience playing a fictional version of himself on the sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Following this, Smith would establish himself as a Hollywood leading man. This includes films like Bad Boys, Men in Black, Independence Day, The Pursuit of Happyness, Suicide Squad, and Aladdin.

 
Will Smith – YouTube
According to People, a musician, professional violinist Brian King Joseph, is suing Will Smith and his company, Treyball Studios Management, Inc., for s3xual harassment, with claims of wrongful termination and retaliation. Joseph had filed his complaint at the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, on December 30. 

Joseph may be familiar to fans of America’s Got Talent. The Washington, D.C. native appeared on Season 13 of the show back in 2018. At the time, he placed as a top-three finalist.

According to the complaint, it was alleged that Smith “was deliberately grooming and priming Mr. Joseph for further s3xual exploitation” after inviting him on his global tour, Based on a True Story: 2025, back in late 2024.

Smith’s Attorney Has Also Released A Statement Concerning The Case

Alleged “traumatic series of events” amid the tour were also detailed. At one point, it was alleged that Joseph once discovered someone had entered his Las Vegas hotel room with no signs of forced entry.

A handwritten note was also reportedly found, reading, “Brian, I’ll be back…just us,” with a drawn heart and signed, “Stone F.” This was in addition to “wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, a bottle of HIV medication with another individual’s name, an earring, and hospital discharge paperwork belonging to a person unbeknownst to” Joseph. This was said to be evidence “of a s3xual threat of violence.”

It was then claimed Joseph was later “shamed” by a member of the tour management team after sharing the incident with hotel staff, local authorities, and Smith’s own management team. He was then told he was terminated, with another violinist hired to take over his role on the tour.

Speaking with the outlet, Smith’s attorney Allen B. Grodsky shared, “Mr. Joseph’s allegations concerning my client are false, baseless, and reckless. They are categorically denied, and we will use all legal means available to address these claims and to ensure that the truth is brought to light.”

Joseph claimed that what happened left him with “severe emotional distress, economic loss, reputational harm, and other damages.” This also included “PTSD and other mental illness as a result of the termination.”

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