Will Smith sued by tour violinist over alleged sexual harassment and wrongful dismissal
Actor and musician Will Smith has been sued by a former tour violinist who alleges sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination during Smith's recent concert tour.
According to a lawsuit filed on Wednesday and reviewed by Variety, musician Brian King Joseph has named Smith and Treyball Studios Management as defendants. The suit accuses Smith of engaging in "predatory behaviour" and claims he deliberately groomed Joseph for sexual exploitation while they were working together on the "Based on a True Story: 2025 Tour" earlier this year.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Joseph, who previously appeared on "America's Got Talent", alleges that Smith first hired him in November 2024 to perform at a show in San Diego. He was later invited to join Smith's 2025 tour and contribute to an upcoming album. As their professional relationship developed, the lawsuit claims Smith made personal remarks suggesting a uniquely close bond between them.
The complaint details an incident during the tour's first leg in March 2025, when Joseph performed at a Las Vegas show. Hotel rooms had been arranged for band and crew members, and Joseph alleges that his bag — containing his room key — went missing for several hours before being returned by management. He claims that management were the only people with access to his room during that time.
Later that night, Joseph says he returned to the room to find evidence that someone had entered without permission. Items allegedly left behind included wipes, a bottle of HIV medication bearing another person's name, and a handwritten note addressed to him, which he interpreted as a threat that an unknown individual would return to the room for sexual activity. Joseph reported the matter to hotel security, Smith's representatives and a non-emergency police line.
The lawsuit further claims that days after the incident, a member of the management team reprimanded Joseph and accused him of fabricating the situation. Shortly afterwards, he was informed that his employment had been terminated.
Joseph alleges that the dismissal caused significant emotional distress, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as financial loss. He is seeking damages for sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination, with compensation to be determined by a jury.
A representative for Will Smith did not immediately respond to Variety's request for comment.
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