Violinist Files Lawsuit Against Will Smith Alleging Sexual Harassment

Actor and musician Will Smith is facing a significant legal challenge after a former tour member filed a lawsuit against him. Professional violinist Brian King Joseph has sued Smith and his production company for sexual harassment and wrongful termination. The complaint was formally filed in the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles just before the new year. Joseph alleges that he was subjected to predatory behavior and retaliation while working on a recent global concert tour. The lawsuit outlines a series of troubling events that reportedly caused the musician severe emotional and financial harm.

The professional relationship between the two artists began in late 2024 when Joseph was hired for a performance. The violinist is well known for his appearance as a finalist on the reality competition show ‘America’s Got Talent’ and was brought on to perform in San Diego. Smith subsequently invited him to join his upcoming global run titled ‘Based on a True Story’ which took place in 2025. The legal filing claims that the actor told Joseph they shared a special connection unlike any he had with others. Lawyers for the plaintiff argue that this behavior was part of a deliberate pattern of grooming for sexual exploitation.

A disturbing incident in Las Vegas during March 2025 serves as the focal point of the allegations. Joseph claims he returned to his hotel room to discover that someone had entered without his permission. The lawsuit states that his room key had gone missing earlier that day before being returned by management. Inside the room he reportedly found various items that did not belong to him including alcohol and medical supplies. The intruder allegedly left behind wipes and a bottle of HIV medication prescribed to another individual.

The musician also discovered a handwritten note left in the room that suggested a sexual encounter was planned. The message explicitly stated a return time and was signed with the name Stone F alongside a drawing of a heart. Joseph asserts that he feared for his personal safety and believed an unknown person intended to assault him. He immediately reported the security breach to hotel staff and the tour management team. The plaintiff also contacted a non-emergency police line to document the terrifying discovery.

The situation escalated when the musician sought support from his employers regarding the intrusion. Instead of receiving assistance he claims he was met with hostility and disbelief from the actor’s representatives. The suit alleges that a member of the management team shamed him and accused him of fabricating the entire event. Joseph was fired from the tour shortly after this confrontation and was told the show was moving in a different direction. He argues that this dismissal was a direct act of retaliation for his decision to report the harassment.

The complaint states that the termination caused Joseph to experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and significant economic loss. He asserts that he was replaced by another violinist almost immediately after his sudden dismissal. Representatives for Smith have reportedly denied the allegations and described the claims as baseless and reckless. The lawsuit names both Will Smith and Treyball Studios Management as defendants in the case.

Please discuss your views on this lawsuit and the allegations in the comments.