Will Smith is facing a lawsuit filed by Brian King Joseph, a violinist who toured with him, alleging sexual harassment, wrongful termination, intimidation, and retaliation. The civil complaint was filed on December 31 in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Joseph claims that Smith and his company, Treyball Studios Management, engaged in a pattern of "grooming and priming" him for sexual exploitation after he joined Smith's "Based on a True Story: 2025" tour in November 2024. He alleges that Smith made comments about having a "special connection" with him that he didn't have with anyone else.
The lawsuit stems from an incident in March 2025 in Las Vegas, where Joseph says he found evidence of a potential sexual assault in his hotel room, which was booked by Smith's company. According to the complaint, Joseph returned to his room to discover a handwritten note that read, "Brian, I'll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us [drawn heart]," signed "Stone F.". He also found wipes, a beer bottle, HIV medication with another person's name on it, and hospital discharge paperwork belonging to someone he didn't know. Joseph reported the incident to hotel security and tour management. However, he claims that instead of investigating, tour management accused him of lying and blamed him for the incident. Joseph was fired days later. Tour management told him that he was fired because the tour was simply "moving in a different direction". Joseph believes he was terminated in retaliation for reporting the hotel incident.
Joseph's lawsuit suggests that Smith's prior interactions with Joseph were part of a pattern of predatory behavior. The lawsuit also alleges that Smith was involved in the decision to fire him and that the response to his complaint violated state protections for employee whistleblowers. Joseph is suing for sexual harassment, wrongful termination, intimidation, and retaliation. He seeks personal and financial damages, alleging that he suffers from psychological damage and PTSD as a result of the ordeal. The lawsuit includes claims under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act, the state whistleblower statute, and civil-rights laws that prohibit retaliation and intimidation based on sex or perceived sexual orientation.
As of January 1, 2026, Smith has not publicly addressed the allegations.
