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Topics: Will Smith, America's Got Talent, News, Celebrity, Music
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Will Smith, America's Got Talent, News, Celebrity, Music
Will Smith is being sued for alleged sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation.
On December 31, America's Got Talent finalist Brian King Joseph, 32, filed the suit against the actor and accused him of 'predatory behavior'.
Both Smith and Treyball Studios Management are named as the defendants.
The alleged behavior unfolded on Smith's 'Based on a True Story: 2025 Tour', which Joseph, a professional violinist, was part of.
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Per the suit, over the course of the tour, Smith is accused of 'deliberately grooming and priming Mr. Joseph for further sexual exploitation', Variety reports.
In the run-up to Smith's 2025 tour, he's said to have invited Joseph in November 2024 to play for him, says Mail Online. Following this meeting, he was invited to play on Smith's tour.
Joseph joined the first leg of the tour in March 2025 for a show in Las Vegas. The same night, the musician alleges that he went to his hotel room, which was booked for him, had been 'unlawfully' entered and whoever went into the room left behind items like wipes and a bottle of HIV medication.
There was also a beer bottle, a red backpack, an earring, and 'a hospital discharge paperwork belonging to a person unbeknownst to Plaintiff', says the lawsuit.
There was also a note that read: "Brian, I’ll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F."
Joseph then feared that 'an unknown individual would soon return to his room to engage in sexual acts', per the suit.
He claims he then reported the incident to hotel security, a non-emergency police line and Smith's management team, but Smith's team allegedly 'shamed' Joseph and fired him.
He believes he was fired in retaliation for reporting the hotel incident.
As a result of this, Joseph suffered 'severe emotional distress, economic loss, reputational harm, and other damages', as well as 'PTSD and other mental illness as a result of the termination'.
The 32-year-old has requested that damages be determined by a jury.
Smith's lawyer, Allen B. Grodsky, has now addressed the filing. He told PEOPLE in a statement on January 1: "Mr. Joseph’s allegations concerning my client are false, baseless, and reckless.
"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."
LADbible Group have approached Smith's reps for additional comment.