Will Smith Faces Lawsuit Over Sexual Harassment and Wrongful Termination
Hollywood actor and musician Will Smith has become a defendant in a civil lawsuit filed in late December 2025 in the Los Angeles Superior Court. According to the court documents, the artist is accused of sexual harassment and involvement in the wrongful termination of a member of his touring team during a concert tour. The lawsuit also names Treyball Studios Management, the company responsible for organizing the tour, as a co-defendant.
The lawsuit was filed by professional violinist Brian King Joseph, who worked with Smith during the “Based on a True Story: 2025” tour. Joseph is widely known to audiences as a finalist on the American television show America’s Got Talent. He claims that during their professional collaboration he was subjected to behavior he considers inappropriate and in violation of personal and professional boundaries.
According to the complaint, Will Smith allegedly made unwanted remarks and intimate insinuations, and attempted to establish what the plaintiff describes as a “special personal relationship.” Joseph characterizes these actions as a form of pressure from an employer and points to elements of grooming.
A key incident detailed in the lawsuit reportedly took place in the spring of 2025 during a tour stop in Las Vegas. Joseph claims that he discovered signs of unauthorized access to his hotel room, which had been booked through the tour’s management. According to him, the room contained unfamiliar personal items and a handwritten note with a personal message, the contents of which caused him distress and concern for his personal safety.
Following the incident, the musician states that he contacted hotel security, representatives of the tour management, and a non-emergency police line. However, he alleges that instead of receiving support, he was met with skepticism and was shortly thereafter removed from the tour. The plaintiff maintains that his dismissal was an act of retaliation for reporting the incident and argues that the termination was unlawful.
In the lawsuit, Brian King Joseph seeks compensation for emotional distress, loss of income, damage to his professional reputation, as well as for psychological consequences, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The exact amount of damages sought has not been disclosed in publicly available documents.
Representatives for Will Smith have denied all allegations. The actor’s attorney stated that the lawsuit is unfounded and that the claims made in the filing are not supported by facts. Smith’s legal team has indicated that it intends to seek full dismissal of the case. Will Smith himself has not issued a public statement regarding the lawsuit at the time of publication.
It is noted that the “Based on a True Story: 2025” tour marked part of Smith’s musical return and accompanied the release of his album of the same name. The concert series included multiple dates across the United States as well as international venues, drawing significant public attention.
The case remains at an early stage. No judicial findings have been made, and all parties are presumed innocent until a court reaches a final decision.
