What To Know
- Violinist Brian King Joseph has filed a lawsuit against Will Smith and Treyball Studios Management, Inc., alleging sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation.
- The lawsuit stems from Joseph’s involvement in Will Smith’s Based on a True Story: 2025 global tour.
- Joseph claims he was terminated after reporting a disturbing incident involving his hotel room while on tour.
- Will Smith’s legal team has denied all allegations and says they will fight the claims in court.
- Days before filing the lawsuit, Brian King Joseph addressed the situation in an Instagram video, saying he was speaking out to support others who fear retaliation after reporting workplace concerns.
A professional musician who toured with Will Smith is accusing the actor and his company of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation, according to a newly filed lawsuit in California.
Violinist Brian King Joseph filed a complaint on Tuesday, December 30, in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, naming Smith and Treyball Studios Management, Inc. as defendants.
The lawsuit stems from Joseph’s involvement in Smith’s Based on a True Story: 2025 global tour.
What The Lawsuit Alleges
According to the complaint, Joseph claims Smith invited him to join the tour in November 2024 and then engaged in behavior described as “grooming and priming” him for sexual exploitation.
The filing outlines what it calls a “traumatic series of events” that allegedly occurred in March 2025 while the tour was underway.
Joseph alleges that while staying at a hotel in Las Vegas, he discovered signs that someone had entered his room without forced entry.
The complaint claims the room contained items that caused him to fear for his safety, including a handwritten note reading, “Brian, I’ll be back…just us,” with a heart drawn on it and signed “Stone F,” along with personal belongings allegedly belonging to an unknown individual.
The lawsuit states that Joseph feared someone would return to his room to engage in unwanted sexual activity, leading him to report the incident to hotel staff, a local non-emergency police line, and Smith’s management team.
Termination And Alleged Retaliation
After reporting the incident, Joseph claims a member of the tour’s management team shamed him and informed him that his services were no longer needed.
The complaint alleges that another violinist was subsequently hired to fill the same role on the tour.
Joseph says the termination resulted in severe emotional distress, economic loss, reputational harm, and lasting mental health impacts, including PTSD.
Brian King Joseph Speaks Out On Instagram
Six days before the lawsuit was filed, Brian King Joseph addressed the situation in an Instagram video, explaining why he felt compelled to speak publicly while noting that legal constraints limited what he could share.
In the video, Joseph said he had been hired earlier this year to perform on a “major, major tour” with someone “huge in the industry” and described feeling proud of the opportunity.
He then acknowledged that “some things happened” but stated he could not go into details because the matter had already become a legal issue.
Joseph emphasized that his reason for speaking out was broader than his individual experience, saying that being fired, blamed, shamed, or threatened for reporting sexual misconduct or workplace safety concerns “is not okay.”
He also expressed support for others who may feel afraid to come forward, adding, “If that’s you, I see you,” before telling viewers that more updates would follow.
Will Smith’s Response
An attorney for Smith strongly denied the allegations.
“Mr. Joseph’s allegations concerning my client are false, baseless, and reckless,” Smith’s attorney, Allen B. Grodsky, said in a statement on January 1.
“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.”
Who Is Brian King Joseph?
Joseph is a Washington, D.C. native who gained national recognition as a top-three finalist on “America’s Got Talent” in 2018.
In December 2024, he shared an Instagram video performing onstage, noting it was his first night touring with Smith.
Related Legal Context
The new lawsuit comes just weeks after a separate $3 million legal filing involving Smith’s family.
In December, former associate Bilaal Salaam filed a lawsuit against Jada Pinkett Smith, alleging verbal threats.
Related: Jada Pinkett Smith Sued For $3 Million Over Alleged ‘Catch A Bullet’ Threats And Retaliation Claims
Smith’s Based on a True Story tour ran from June through September 2025, following the March release of his album of the same name.
Never miss a scoop — sign up for IceCreamConvos.com’s free daily newsletter and stay in the know with the hottest celebrity news, jaw-dropping headlines, and stories everyone will be talking about.
Lock In With Ice Cream Convos:
