Will Smith is facing a serious legal battle after violinist Brian King Joseph filed a lawsuit last week, alleging sexual harassment and a pattern of grooming.
Joseph said the alleged harassment began after being hired in late 2024.
Joseph alleges that during Smith’s Based on a True Story tour in March 2025, he discovered a threatening note and items in his hotel room that indicated a sexual threat of violence, prompting him to report the incident to tour management.
Following his report, Joseph claims he was shamed and subsequently fired, which he describes as retaliation for speaking out against the alleged misconduct, leading to his diagnosis of PTSD.
In an Instagram video posted on December 26th, Joseph said, “Earlier this year, I was hired to be a performer on a major, major tour with somebody who is huge in the industry. So I was excited, you know, proud of myself for getting the opportunity.”
He added, “Unfortunately, some things happened, and I can’t get into the details of exactly what that was, because it’s already a legal issue right now, but the reason why I’m speaking out about this is because getting fired or getting blamed or shamed or threatened or anything like that – simply for reporting sexual misconduct or safety threats at work – is not OK.”
Joseph seeks damages for mental distress and lost wages, asserting he wants to reclaim his narrative and support others who have experienced similar situations.
Smith’s attorney, Allen B. Grodsky, has firmly denied the allegations, calling them “false, baseless, and reckless,” and has vowed to use all legal means to defend against the claims.
