Will Smith Sued by Tour Violinist Alleging Sexual Harassment and Wrongful Termination
Will Smith is facing a civil lawsuit filed by a touring violinist who alleges sexual harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination in connection with the actor and musician’s 2025 tour.
According to court records filed Dec. 30 in Los Angeles Superior Court, Brian King Joseph has sued Will Smith and Smith’s production company, Treyball Studios Management, alleging a pattern of inappropriate conduct that culminated in Joseph’s dismissal from Smith’s Based on a True Story tour.
Joseph, a professional violinist, claims he was first hired by Smith in November 2024 to perform at a San Diego concert and was later invited to join Smith’s 2025 tour and participate in recording sessions for a forthcoming album. The lawsuit alleges that Smith cultivated what Joseph describes as an unusually personal relationship, including statements suggesting a unique emotional bond between them.
The complaint centers on a series of events that allegedly occurred in March 2025 while Smith was performing in Las Vegas. Joseph claims that during his stay, his hotel bag, containing his room key, was misplaced by tour staff. Upon returning to his room later, he alleges he discovered signs that someone had entered without forced entry. According to the filing, items left behind included personal belongings not belonging to Joseph and a handwritten note that he interpreted as threatening.
Joseph reported the incident to hotel security, Smith’s representatives, and local authorities via a non-emergency line, according to the lawsuit. He alleges that instead of receiving support, he was later confronted by a member of Smith’s management team who accused him of fabricating the incident and informed him that his services were no longer required for the tour.
The lawsuit claims that Joseph suffered emotional distress, reputational damage, and economic loss as a result of the alleged termination, as well as symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress. The complaint characterizes the alleged events as part of a broader pattern of “predatory behavior,” though no criminal charges have been filed in connection with the claims.
Smith’s attorney, Allen B. Grodsky, strongly denied the allegations in a statement to People, calling them “false, baseless, and reckless,” and stating that Smith intends to contest the claims vigorously. “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,” Grodsky said.
The lawsuit comes during a period of renewed musical activity for Smith, who released Based on a True Story in March and launched his international tour later in the year. Smith performed in Las Vegas on March 20, 2025, shortly before the alleged incident, and began the tour’s official run in June.
