Violinist Brian King Joseph has filed a lawsuit against Will Smith, alleging sexual harassment and wrongful termination following an incident during Smith's "Based on a True Story" tour in March 2025. The lawsuit, filed on December 30, 2025, in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that Smith engaged in "predatory behavior" and created a hostile work environment.
Joseph, a former "America's Got Talent" contestant, alleges that the problems began in March 2025 during the tour's Las Vegas stop. He states that he returned to his hotel room to find it had been unlawfully entered. According to the complaint, Joseph discovered a disturbing scene, including a handwritten note that read, "Brian, I'll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F.," along with other items such as wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, HIV medication prescribed to someone else, an earring, and hospital discharge papers belonging to an unknown person. Joseph says he reported the incident to hotel security and Smith's tour management. He alleges that instead of receiving support, he was accused of lying and "shamed" for what happened.
The lawsuit further claims that Joseph's employment was terminated shortly after he reported the incident. He was allegedly told that the tour was "moving in a different direction," but he was then replaced by another violinist. Joseph argues that his termination was retaliatory and wrongful. He is suing for retaliation, wrongful termination, and sexual harassment, seeking damages to be determined by a jury. Joseph claims to have suffered PTSD and financial losses as a result of the alleged harassment and subsequent termination.
In addition to the hotel room incident, the lawsuit details other instances that Joseph considered inappropriate. He claims that Smith told him they had "such a special connection that I don't have with anyone else". Joseph alleges that Smith had been "grooming and priming" him for "further sexual exploitation" since they first met in November 2024. The complaint also mentions an occasion when Smith's management team allegedly lost Joseph's bag, which contained his hotel room key.
Smith's attorney, Allen B. Grodsky, has vehemently denied the allegations. In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Grodsky stated that "Mr. Joseph's allegations concerning my client are false, baseless, and reckless". He added, "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".
The lawsuit is seeking damages for the alleged emotional distress, loss of earnings, and harm to Joseph's career. The case is expected to draw significant media attention as it progresses through the legal system.
