Will Smith has been sued by tour violinist Brian King Joseph, who alleges sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation. The suit was filed on December 30, 2024, in the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles, naming Smith and Treyball Studios Management as defendants. Joseph claims that Smith engaged in “predatory behavior” and was involved in “deliberately grooming” him for sexual exploitation prior to Smith’s upcoming tour, Based on a True Story: 2025.
According to the lawsuit, Joseph was hired by Smith in November 2024 for a performance in San Diego. Following this engagement, Smith reportedly invited Joseph to join his tour and contribute to his forthcoming album. The suit details a concerning interaction in which Smith allegedly told Joseph, “You and I have such a special connection that I don’t have with anyone else.”
Allegations from Las Vegas Incident
Joseph describes a “traumatic series of events” that transpired in Las Vegas in March 2025, where Smith was performing. The incident reportedly began when Smith’s management misplaced Joseph’s bag, which contained his hotel room key. Upon returning to his hotel room, Joseph claims to have found evidence suggesting that someone had entered without forced entry. He discovered a handwritten note stating, “Brian, I’ll be back… just us,” signed “Stone F,” along with various personal items that did not belong to him, including wipes, a beer bottle, an earring, and medication for HIV.
Joseph expressed fear that an unknown individual would return to his room with harmful intentions. He reported the incident to hotel security, Smith’s representatives, and the police. A few days later, the lawsuit alleges that a member of Smith’s management team “shamed” Joseph regarding the incident and indicated that he was being terminated, suggesting that Joseph had fabricated the situation.
Claims of Emotional Distress and Legal Response
The lawsuit outlines that Joseph has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues as a consequence of his termination and the circumstances surrounding the hotel incident. Joseph claims that the overall situation reflects a pattern of predatory behavior rather than an isolated event. The complaint states that he has experienced significant emotional distress, economic loss, and damage to his reputation due to the alleged actions and subsequent termination.
In response, Allen B. Grodsky, an attorney representing Smith, issued a statement through People, categorically denying the allegations. He described Joseph’s claims as “false, baseless, and reckless,” asserting that they intend to utilize all legal avenues to address the lawsuit and reveal the truth.
Smith’s most recent album, Based on a True Story, was released in March 2025, shortly before his performance at the House of Blues Las Vegas on March 20, 2025. He is also scheduled to perform at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles shortly after. The tour officially commenced in June, with the first show held in Rabat, Morocco.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the entertainment industry will closely monitor the implications of this case for both Smith’s career and Joseph’s future in music.
