Electric violinist sues Will Smith, alleging sexual harassment, wrongful termination

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Actor Will Smith and his company, Treyball Studios Management Inc., are facing a lawsuit from an electric violinist who alleges she was wrongly fired and subjected to retaliation and sexual harassment. Smith’s lawyer has released a statement denying these claims.

Brian King Joseph is suing Smith, claiming he was hired to perform on the 2025 Based on a True Story tour but was then fired before the tour officially started in Europe and the U.K.

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Joseph, a top three finalist on Season 13 of “America’s Got Talent,” hinted on Instagram before filing a lawsuit that he’d landed a significant tour with a well-known performer. He mentioned “something happened” that he couldn’t detail due to legal reasons, posting about it in a video on December 27th.

He emphasized that it’s unacceptable to face consequences like being fired, blamed, or threatened for reporting sexual misconduct or safety concerns at work. He acknowledged many others may be afraid to come forward, saying he understands and recognizes their experience, and promised to share more information soon.

According to a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles County, Joseph claims they began working with Smith in November 2024. Joseph performed at two of Smith’s concerts in San Diego and was then asked to contribute to Smith’s album, “Based on a True Story,” which came out on March 28th.

Following his San Diego shows, Joseph shared a video on Instagram expressing his gratitude. He wrote about how amazing it was to perform alongside such talented musicians and called the experience a dream come true. He reflected on his journey from playing music on the streets to performing on larger stages, describing it as magical and promising more to come. He finished by saying he was incredibly thankful to everyone who helped make it happen.

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According to the lawsuit, during the album’s production, Smith and Joseph started spending more time together privately. Smith reportedly told Joseph they shared a unique and special connection unlike any he had with others, suggesting a close relationship.

According to the lawsuit, Joseph performed with Smith and the team in Las Vegas on March 20th at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Smith’s team arranged accommodations for everyone. Joseph left his bag – which included his room key – in the van transporting performers to rehearsal. After asking someone to retrieve it, the bag disappeared for a few hours before being recovered, according to the suit.

Late that night, Joseph returned to his room and found signs someone had been inside without his consent, as stated in the official report.

Evidence found at the scene included a handwritten note addressed to the plaintiff, Brian, which said, ‘I’ll be back no later than 5:30, just us (with a heart drawn), Stone F.’ Other items found among the belongings were cleaning wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, a bottle of HIV medication labeled for someone else, an earring, and hospital paperwork for an individual the plaintiff didn’t recognize.

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According to the complaint, Joseph feared someone he didn’t know would come back to his room and sexually assault him.

Joseph, worried about his own safety and the safety of everyone working with him, immediately contacted hotel security and the representatives for Treyball and Smith. He also documented the situation with photos, asked for a different room, and reported the incident to the police through their non-emergency number. Hotel security checked for any signs of a break-in but found none, and Joseph returned home the following day.

A few days later, instead of continuing on the tour, a representative from Treyball told me they were “changing course,” and that his help wasn’t needed anymore. What really upset me was how they handled it – they actually tried to blame him! They accused him of making the whole thing up, demanding to know why he’d lie about what happened. He was completely stunned and didn’t even bother responding, feeling that the evidence and reports from Las Vegas clearly showed what had actually occurred.

As a big fan, it’s really upsetting to hear what Joseph is going through. According to the lawsuit, everything that happened in Las Vegas and right after really took a toll on him – emotionally, financially, and even with his public image. It sounds like losing his job was incredibly stressful, and he’s now dealing with serious health issues, including PTSD and other mental health struggles. It’s just awful to see someone go through all of that.

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According to the lawsuit, the evidence indicates that Willard Carroll Smith II intentionally manipulated Joseph in preparation for further sexual abuse. The lawsuit claims the events leading up to the hotel incident, Smith’s previous comments, and the circumstances surrounding the intrusion demonstrate a pattern of predatory behavior, not just a one-time occurrence.

Because of the holiday, The Times couldn’t get a response from Will Smith’s representatives or lawyer. However, Smith’s attorney, Allen B. Grodsky, told Fox News on Thursday that the accusations made by Mr. Joseph are untrue, unfounded, and irresponsible. He stated they completely deny the claims and will pursue all available legal options to prove the truth.

Lawyer Jonathan J. Delshad has filed lawsuits on behalf of actors who claim Tyler Perry sexually assaulted them. These actors allege that after refusing Perry’s unwanted advances, they were not offered future work by the film and television producer.

Joseph is asking the court to award him both financial compensation for his losses and additional damages to punish the responsible party. He also requests that the court cover his legal fees, with the exact amount to be decided during the trial.

Last summer, the Based on a True Story tour included 26 performances across Europe and the U.K. Nine of those were headlining concerts, and the other 17 were at various festivals.

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2026-01-03 03:01