A lawsuit has been filed against actor and musician Will Smith and his touring company, Treyball Studios Management, by former tour violinist Brian King Joseph. The complaint, lodged in the Superior Court of California on Tuesday, alleges sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation, among other claims.
Lawsuit Filed
Brian King Joseph, who performed on Smith's "Based on a True Story 2025" tour, initiated legal action, naming both Will Smith and Treyball Studios Management as defendants. The complaint was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Allegations by Brian King Joseph
The lawsuit accuses Smith of "predatory behavior" and "deliberately grooming and priming [Joseph] for further sexual exploitation." These alleged incidents reportedly occurred during Joseph's participation in Smith's "Based on a True Story 2025" tour, which supported Smith's album. Joseph, who began performing with Smith in December 2024, later joined the tour and alleges Smith told him they shared a "special connection."
A central claim involves an alleged unauthorized entry into Joseph's Las Vegas hotel room in March 2025. Joseph reported that upon returning to his room, he found it appeared to have been entered unlawfully. According to Joseph's account, hotel security found no signs of forced entry but indicated that only individuals associated with Smith's management team had access to the room during Joseph's absence.
Inside the room, Joseph claims he discovered several items:
- Hygiene wipes
- A beer bottle
- An earring
- A red backpack
- HIV medication registered to an unfamiliar individual
- Hospital discharge paperwork for an unknown person
- A handwritten note stating: "Brian, I’ll be back no later 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F."
Joseph concluded that an "unknown individual" intended to return to his room for sexual acts. He reported the incident to hotel staff, a non-emergency police line, and Smith's representatives, expressing concern about a potential sexual encounter.
Termination and Retaliation Claims
The lawsuit alleges that days after Joseph reported the hotel incident, a representative for Smith accused him of fabricating the event. The complaint quotes the representative as stating, in part, "Everyone is telling me that what happened to you is a lie, nothing happened, and you made the whole thing up. So, tell me, why did you lie and make this up?" Joseph's employment was subsequently terminated, and another violinist was hired as his replacement. The lawsuit claims no effort was made to verify Joseph's safety concerns. Joseph states he experienced Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and mental illness, as well as economic losses, as a result of the termination.
Defendant's Response
Allen B. Grodsky, an attorney representing Will Smith, has issued a statement regarding the claims. Grodsky described all allegations against his client as "false, baseless, and reckless." He affirmed that the claims are "categorically denied" and stated that "all legal means available" would be utilized to address the claims and "ensure that the truth is brought to light."
Background and Tour Context
The "Based on a True Story 2025" global tour supported Will Smith's album of the same name, which was released in March 2025. This album marked Smith's first full-length release in two decades. The tour included a stop in Las Vegas during March of that year.
Legal Action Sought
Joseph is seeking a jury trial, compensatory damages, attorney's fees, and other relief as determined by a jury.