Will Smith and his Company Sued for Sexual Harassment by Former Violinist

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After largely moving past the 2022 incident and enjoying a successful return to Hollywood with new films and music, Will Smith is now facing a new legal challenge. A recent lawsuit alleges sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation against both Smith and his management company, Treyball Studios Management Inc.

Although Smith wasn’t directly involved in the incident, violinist Brian King Joseph claims Smith was intentionally manipulating him for potential future sexual abuse. According to the lawsuit, Smith invited Joseph to join his 2025 global tour, titled Based on a True Story, after Joseph performed at a show in San Diego in November 2024. Joseph also alleges that Smith told him they shared a unique and special connection unlike any other.

In his lawsuit, Joseph details events from March 2025 during the tour, claiming Smith’s team lost his bag, which contained his hotel key. He alleges this led to a disturbing series of incidents, including discovering someone had been in his room. Evidence left behind suggested a sexual threat, including a handwritten note signed “Stone F.” with a heart drawing, reading, “Brian, I’ll be back…just us.” Joseph also states he found several unusual items in his room, such as wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, HIV medication prescribed to someone he didn’t know, an earring, and hospital discharge papers for an unfamiliar person. He claims he was afraid the intruder would return to his room and force him into sexual activity.

Will Smith’s Legal Team Refute All Lawsuit Claims


Netflix

According to the lawsuit, Joseph tried to report the incident to several people, including hotel staff, Smith’s team, and the non-emergency police line. He alleges that the tour management then embarrassed him and fired him, bringing in a replacement violinist to finish the tour.

Predictably, Smith and his company‘s lawyers quickly dismissed the lawsuit, stating that Joseph’s accusations are completely false. They released a statement to PEOPLE saying:

We strongly deny Mr. Joseph’s claims about our client. These accusations are completely untrue and irresponsible. We will pursue every legal option to defend our client and reveal the facts.

Joseph is suing for significant emotional and financial damages, claiming the termination caused him PTSD and other mental health issues, as well as harmed his reputation. Smith’s lawyers plan to strongly defend against these claims. This case is particularly unwelcome for Smith, who was just beginning to move past a previous career controversy, and is not how he wanted to start 2026.

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2026-01-02 16:25