Will Smith is facing a lawsuit from professional violinist Brian King Joseph, who claims sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination.
Joseph filed a complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court against the actor and his company, Treyball Studios Management, Inc., on December 30, per People.
The lawsuit alleges that Smith, 57, groomed Joseph after inviting him on his global tour Based on a True Story in November 2024.
According to the complaint, in March 2025 while on tour, Joseph experienced what he describes as a “traumatic series of events.”
He claims someone entered his Las Vegas hotel room without breaking and entering and left behind items he perceived as a sexual threat, including a handwritten note that read, “Brian, I’ll be back…just us,” and belongings that did not belong to him.
Joseph claims he feared an unknown person would return to his room and reported the incident to hotel staff, local authorities and Smith’s management team.
The complaint alleges that instead of receiving support, Joseph was later shamed by a member of the tour’s management and terminated. Another violinist was said to have been hired to replace him.
The lawsuit states that Joseph suffered severe emotional distress, economic losses and reputational damage, including PTSD.
Joseph gained attention as a top-three finalist America has talent in 2018 and joined Smith’s tour in late 2024.
