Is Will Smith facing his biggest legal crisis yet? Inside Mention sexual harassment lawsuit
Will Smith. Image Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Actor and musician Will Smith is facing renewed legal scrutiny after a professional violinist filed a lawsuit accusing the Oscar winner and his company of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation.
The lawsuit, filed on December 30, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, was brought by Brian King Joseph, a Washington, D.C.–based violinist who toured with Smith during his Based on a True Story: 2025 global concert tour.
Smith’s legal team has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “false, baseless, and reckless.”
Who Is Brian King Joseph and Why Is He Suing Will Smith?
Brian King Joseph is a well-known professional violinist who gained national attention after placing in the top three on America’s Got Talent season 13 in 2018.
According to the complaint, Joseph joined Will Smith’s tour in November 2024 and performed during multiple tour stops. The lawsuit alleges that Smith and his management company, Treyball Studios Management, Inc., engaged in conduct that Joseph claims amounted to sexual harassment and grooming.
Joseph alleges that Smith “was deliberately grooming and priming” him for further exploitation while he was employed on the tour.
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Alleged Hotel Room Incident in Las Vegas
The lawsuit centers on an alleged incident in March 2025, while the tour was in Las Vegas. Joseph claims that he returned to his hotel room to find evidence that someone had entered without signs of forced entry. According to the complaint, Joseph discovered what he describes as “evidence of a sexual threat of violence,” including a handwritten note that read, “Brian, I’ll be back… just us,” signed “Stone F” with a drawn heart.
Additional items allegedly found in the room included wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, an earring, hospital discharge paperwork belonging to another individual, and a bottle of HIV medication bearing a different person’s name. Joseph claims the discovery caused him to fear that an unknown individual would return to the room to engage in sexual acts with him.
Termination and Retaliation Allegations
After reporting the incident to hotel staff, local non-emergency police, and Smith’s management team, Joseph alleges that he was shamed by a member of the tour’s management and subsequently terminated from the tour.
The lawsuit further claims that another violinist was quickly hired to replace him in the same role, which Joseph argues supports his claim of retaliation.
Joseph says the termination resulted in severe emotional distress, economic loss, reputational harm, and mental health struggles, including symptoms consistent with PTSD.
Will Smith’s Response Through His Lawyer
In a statement provided to PEOPLE on January 1, 2026, Smith’s attorney Allen B. Grodsky categorically denied the allegations.
“Mr. Joseph’s allegations concerning my client are false, baseless, and reckless,” Grodsky said. “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.”
Smith himself has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.
Context: Ongoing Legal Issues Surrounding the Smith Family
The complaint comes just weeks after a separate $3 million lawsuit was filed against Jada Pinkett Smith by a former associate, alleging verbal threats. Sources close to the couple previously dismissed those claims as opportunistic.
Will Smith’s Based on a True Story tour ran from June to September 2025, following the release of his album of the same name earlier that year.
As of now, no criminal charges have been filed, and the case remains a civil lawsuit.
FAQ
What is the Will Smith lawsuit about?
Will Smith is being sued by violinist Brian King Joseph, who alleges sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation during Smith’s 2025 tour.
Who filed the lawsuit against Will Smith?
The lawsuit was filed by Brian King Joseph, a professional violinist and former America’s Got Talent finalist.
What incident led to the lawsuit?
Joseph alleges he found disturbing items and a handwritten note in his Las Vegas hotel room, which he claims constituted a sexual threat of violence.
Has Will Smith denied the allegations?
Yes. Smith’s lawyer has categorically denied all claims, calling them false and reckless.
Was Will Smith charged with a crime?
No. This is a civil lawsuit, and no criminal charges have been filed.
Did Brian King Joseph get fired from the tour?
According to the lawsuit, Joseph claims he was terminated after reporting the incident and that another musician was hired to replace him.
What tour is involved in the lawsuit?
The allegations are tied to Smith’s Based on a True Story: 2025 global tour.
What happens next?
The case will proceed through the California civil court system unless it is dismissed or settled.