Will Smith sued by violinist Brian King Joseph for sexual harassment and hotel room incident during 2025 tour

Hollywood star Will Smith is being sued by a musician who claims he faced sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination while working on the actor-singer’s tour. The lawsuit talks about alleged misconduct during Smith’s ‘Based on a True Story: 2025 Tour’.

The accuser: Brian King Joseph

The lawsuit was filed by Brian King Joseph. He as a violinist gained attention as contestant on ‘America’s Got Talent’.

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Joseph claims he was first hired by Smith in November 2024 for a show in San Diego. Soon after, he was invited to join Smith’s 2025 tour and contribute to his upcoming album.

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According to the legal filing, Joseph alleges that Smith developed a personal connection with him, telling him things like, “you and I have such a special connection, that I don’t have with anyone else.”

Joseph’s lawsuit describes these comments as part of a pattern of “predatory behaviour” intended to groom him for sexual exploitation.

Alleged hotel room incident

The lawsuit details a troubling incident that allegedly took place during the Las Vegas leg of the tour in March 2025. Joseph says that his hotel room key went missing for several hours before management returned it. He claims that only tour management had access to the room.

When Joseph returned later, he alleges that someone had unlawfully entered his room and left behind personal items including wipes, a bottle of HIV medication addressed to another person, and a note that read: “Brian, I’ll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F.”

Joseph interpreted the note as a threat that someone intended to engage in sexual acts with him.

Joseph says he immediately reported the incident to hotel security, Smith’s team, and a non-emergency police line.

Termination and alleged retaliation

Just days after reporting the alleged incident, Joseph claims that a member of Smith’s management team “shamed” him for speaking up and informed him he was being terminated. According to the lawsuit, he was accused of fabricating the story.

Joseph’s complaint states that the termination caused him emotional distress, PTSD, and financial loss. He is seeking damages for sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation leaving the final decision to a jury.

As of now, Will Smith and his representatives have not responded to the incident.