Will Smith Sued by Violinist over Sexual Harassment allegations
A violinist who joined Will Smith’s 2024 tour claims harassment, retaliation, and firing after a disturbing hotel room incident. The lawsuit raises serious questions.
Will Smith is being sued by professional violinist Brian King Joseph, who claims the actor subjected him to sexual harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination while they were working together on Smith’s global tour.
According to reports, Joseph filed the lawsuit on December 30 in Los Angeles Superior Court against Smith and his company, Treyball Studios Management, Inc. The complaint centers on events that allegedly unfolded after Joseph joined Smith’s Based on a True Story world tour in late 2024.
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Joseph, a well-known violinist who finished as a top-three finalist on America’s Got Talent in 2018, says Smith personally invited him to join the tour in November 2024. In the lawsuit, Joseph alleges that Smith, now 57, groomed him after bringing him on board, setting the stage for what he later describes as a deeply unsettling experience.
Things reportedly escalated in March 2025 while the tour was passing through Las Vegas. In court documents, Joseph says he went through what he calls a “traumatic series of events” at his hotel. He claims that someone entered his room without any signs of forced entry and left behind items he believed were meant as a sexual threat.
Among those items, Joseph says, was a handwritten note that read, “Brian, I’ll be back… just us,” along with personal belongings that were not his. According to the complaint, the situation left him frightened and unsure who had access to his room or when they might return.
Joseph claims he immediately took action. He reported the incident to hotel staff, contacted local authorities, and notified members of Smith’s management team. The lawsuit says he feared an unknown individual would come back to his room and felt unsafe continuing under the same conditions.
Instead of receiving support, the complaint alleges that Joseph’s concerns were brushed aside. He claims a member of the tour’s management later shamed him for raising the issue. Not long after, Joseph says he was terminated from the tour altogether. The lawsuit states that another violinist was hired to replace him.
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The legal filing paints the aftermath as devastating. Joseph alleges he suffered severe emotional distress, financial losses, and serious damage to his reputation. The lawsuit also claims he was left dealing with PTSD as a result of what he experienced while on tour.
As of now, Smith has not publicly responded to the allegations outlined in the complaint. The case is still in its early stages, and the claims have not been tested in court.
The lawsuit adds another layer of controversy to Smith’s already complicated public image in recent years. While the allegations are serious, it is important to note that they remain accusations at this point, with no legal ruling yet made.
More details about the lawsuit and Joseph’s claims can be found through People, which first reported on the court filing. Additional coverage is also available from outlets like Variety and TMZ as the story continues to develop.
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