Will Smith sued by former tour violinist over alleged harassment, wrongful termination and retaliation

Hollywood actor and musician Will Smith is being sued by a former violinist on his 2025 “Based on a True Story” global music tour, with the plaintiff alleging wrongful termination, retaliation and sexual harassment . Smith and his legal team have strongly denied the allegations.

Professional violinist Brian King Joseph, who rose to fame as a top-three finalist on America’s Got Talent in 2018, claims that Smith and his management company, Treyball Studios Management, engaged in a pattern of “predatory behavior” and that Smith “groomed and primed” him for potential sexual exploitation after first hiring him in November 2024 for a show in San Diego and later inviting him on the worldwide tour and to work on Smith’s upcoming album.

Central to the complaint is an alleged incident in March 2025 while the tour was in Las Vegas. Joseph says he returned to his hotel room, which had been booked for him by Smith’s company, to find evidence that someone had entered without his consent. Among the items he said were left in the room were a handwritten note addressed to him that read, “ Brian, I’ll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F ,” wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, a bottle of HIV medication bearing another person’s name, an earring and hospital discharge paperwork belonging to someone unknown to him. Joseph says he feared an unknown individual would return to his room to engage in sexual acts with him.

According to the lawsuit, Joseph reported the incident to hotel security, local non‑emergency police, and members of Smith’s tour management. Rather than investigating, he alleges he was “shamed” by a member of the management team and accused of fabricating the situation. Days later he was informed he was being removed from the tour, with management telling him the production was “moving in a different direction.” Another violinist was quickly hired in his place, which Joseph says proves the termination was retaliatory.

Joseph asserts that the alleged events and the circumstances surrounding the hotel room intrusion “ all point to a pattern of predatory behavior rather than an isolated incident ,” and claims the experience has caused him serious emotional distress, including post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), financial loss and reputational harm. He is seeking damages for sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination, with compensation to be determined by a jury.

Smith’s attorney, Allen B. Grodsky, has forcefully rejected the claims. In a statement, Grodsky described the allegations as “false, baseless and reckless” and said Smith will use all legal means available to defend himself and ensure the truth comes out. Representatives for Smith and his management company have not commented beyond the lawyer’s statement.

In the days before filing the lawsuit, Joseph shared a video on social media describing his experience and encouraging others to speak out about workplace misconduct, though he said he could not discuss full details at the time due to ongoing legal proceedings.

The suit adds to a challenging period for Smith, who has been working to revive his music career following the commercial disappointment of the Based on a True Story tour and album.