Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
LOS ANGELES, USA — Oscar-winning actor and musician Will Smith is facing a civil lawsuit filed in the Superior Court of California by professional violinist Brian King Joseph, alleging sexual harassment, grooming, wrongful termination and retaliation tied to Smith’s “Based on a True Story: 2025 Tour.” The complaint was filed on December 30, 2025, and has rapidly drawn widespread media and public attention due to the serious nature of the claims and Smith’s global profile as an entertainer.
According to court documents, Joseph — a violinist and finalist on America’s Got Talent — was hired by Smith in November 2024 to perform at a show in San Diego and later invited to join the 2025 international tour and contribute to Smith’s first album in two decades. The lawsuit alleges that as their professional relationship developed, Smith engaged in conduct that Joseph now characterises as “grooming and priming” him for further sexual exploitation, citing comments attributed to the actor about a special personal connection that went beyond normal working rapport.
Central to the complaint is an incident that allegedly occurred in March 2025 during the tour’s Las Vegas leg. Joseph claims he returned to his **hotel room — booked for the tour by Smith’s management — only to find signs of unauthorised entry and several disturbing items, including a note that allegedly read, “Brian, I’ll be back… just us,” accompanied by personal effects such as wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, and a bottle of HIV medication bearing someone else’s name. Joseph interpreted the scene as indicative of an imminent sexual threat, though no direct evidence ties the alleged intrusion to Smith himself.
Joseph says he immediately reported the matter to hotel security, local authorities, and members of Smith’s tour management, but was instead accused of fabrication and blamed for the situation. Days later, the violinist alleges he was terminated from the tour under the pretext that the production was “moving in a different direction,” only for another musician to be hired in his place. The lawsuit frames this action as retaliation and wrongful termination, asserting that Joseph’s dismissal resulted directly from his complaint and left him with emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), financial loss and reputational harm.
In addition to claims of sexual harassment and grooming, the lawsuit charges retaliation and wrongful termination under California civil rights and employment law, seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the alleged psychological trauma and economic injuries Joseph suffered after being dismissed.
Representatives for Smith and Treyball Studios Management, Inc. — the tour’s management entity named in the case — have not yet issued a public statement responding to the lawsuit, although some reports note that lawyers for Smith have previously characterised similar allegations as “false, baseless and reckless.”
The case marks a significant development in Smith’s post-tour public profile, coming amid other legal challenges involving associated figures in his personal and professional life. Legal analysts say the matter — still in its early stages — will unfold over the coming months as both sides prepare filings, witness testimony and potential motions in what could be a closely watched and contentious civil trial.
As the proceedings begin and more details emerge, the allegations have sparked conversations across social media and entertainment news, with public reaction ranging from scepticism about the claims to calls for serious scrutiny and accountability in cases involving power imbalances in the entertainment industry.
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