Will Smith sued for sexual harassment by musician Brian King Joseph
Will Smith has been accused of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation by violinist Brian King Joseph, who has moved to sue the actor.
The suit, filed on December 31st, lists Smith, as well as Treyball Studios Management, as defendants.
As per Variety, the suit accuses Smith of “predatory behavior” and “deliberately grooming and priming Mr. Joseph for further sexual exploitation.”
The suit alleges that the incidents occurred while both were taking part in his Based on a True Story: 2025 Tour.
The suit also alleges that Smith hired Joseph in November 2024 for a singular show in San Francisco. After this, he was invited to join the 2025 tour and play on his first full-length album in two decades, Based on a True Story.
Smith would allegedly share comments with Joseph, such as, “You and I have such a special connection that I don’t have with anyone else.”
At a show in Las Vegas in March 2025, Joseph stayed in a hotel booked for the band and crew members. He goes on to allege that his bag, which contained his hotel room key, went missing before management found and subsequently returned it.
In the lawsuit, Joseph claimed that management was the “only individuals with access to [his] room.”
Later that evening, Joseph allegedly discovered that someone had “unlawfully” entered his room and left behind possessions such as a bottle of HIV medication with another individual’s name, wipes, and a note which said, “Brian, I’ll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F.”
Spooked, Joseph allegedly considered this to be a threat from “an unknown individual [who] would soon return to his room to engage in sexual acts.”
After reporting the incident to Smith’s representatives and a non-emergency police line, Joseph alleges that he was later “shamed” for the incident.
Joseph was then allegedly terminated as management, and in the lawsuit, it’s alleged that management suggested he had made the whole incident up.
As a result, Joseph allegedly suffered from PTSD and economic loss. Therefore, he is suing for retaliation, wrongful termination, and sexual harassment.
Smith and Treyball Studios Management have yet to respond to the lawsuit.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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