Will Smith Seeks to Dismiss Harassment Lawsuit from Former Tour Musician

Legal Team Disputes Allegations Will Smith’s legal team disputes the allegations made by violinist Brian King Joseph, describing them as unfounded.

Will Smith is requesting the dismissal of a frivolous lawsuit that his former tour violinist, Brian King Joseph, filed. The legal dispute, initiated late last year, revolves around claims of sexual harassment and an unusual hotel room incident.

Joseph, a former standout from America’s Got Talent, asserts that during the 2025 “Based on a True Story Tour,” the Academy Award winner was “deliberately grooming and priming” him for “further sexual exploitation.”

The artist alleges that someone interfered with his possessions in a hotel room in Las Vegas. Upon receiving his bag back after several hours of being lost, Joseph noted that it held items that were not his, such as HIV medication and an earring. What troubled Joseph the most was a note that allegedly read, “Brian, I’ll be back…just us,” accompanied by a drawn heart.

The complaint states that these items caused Joseph to believe that someone would come back to his room and sexually assault him.

On February 20, a new court motion was filed in which Smith and his company, Treyball Studios Management, responded assertively. His legal team described the case as an “attempted money grab” and labeled the claims as “false and defamatory conclusory allegations.” The defense contends that Joseph’s narratives are “false, inflammatory, without legal merit,” and designed to damage the star’s reputation via a “groundless lawsuit.”

Smith’s attorneys offered an alternative explanation for Joseph’s exit from the tour, attributing it to poor performance instead of retaliation. They explained that the actor was not involved in the hiring decisions, noting, “Plaintiff was never promised a regular position in the band.” In the end, the document stated that the Plaintiff was unsuitable for the band and was excluded from upcoming performances.

Smith is attempting to have the case dismissed due to insufficient evidence, while Joseph’s attorney, Jonathan J. Delshad, informed Billboard that they are prepared for a battle. He expressed that his team will “oppose the motions and present the facts in court.”

A judge will hear the arguments concerning the dismissal on April 28, 2026.