Will Smith sued by violinist over sexual harassment, wrongful termination allegations

will smith

• Violinist Brian King Joseph sues Will Smith and Treyball Studios for harassment
• Joseph claims wrongful termination and retaliation after reporting hotel incident
• Smith and Treyball Studios have not yet responded to the lawsuit's allegations

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Hollywood actor Will Smith and his company, Treyball Studios Management, Inc, are facing a civil lawsuit filed in late December 2025 by professional violinist Brian King Joseph. The complaint alleges sexual harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination related to events that took place during Smith’s “Based on a True Story” 2025 global tour.

According to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Joseph — who previously rose to fame as a top-three finalist on America’s Got Talent — was invited to join Smith’s tour in late 2024 after performing at a San Diego show. During the tour’s March 2025 stop in Las Vegas, he alleges a disturbing incident at his hotel room that triggered the legal action.

Joseph claims he returned to his hotel room, which had been booked by Smith’s team, to find signs that someone had entered without consent. Allegedly, items including a handwritten note with a suggestive message, wipes, a beer bottle, medical items bearing another person’s name, and unrelated hospital discharge papers were left inside. The note reportedly read: “Brian, I’ll be back… just us,” signed “Stone F.” Joseph says he feared an imminent sexual assault and reported the situation to hotel security, local authorities, and tour management.

Instead of receiving help, Joseph claims tour management accused him of fabricating the story and terminated his role on the tour days later, replacing him with another violinist. The lawsuit contends this firing was retaliation for reporting the incident, a wrongful termination, and retaliation in violation of California employment laws.

In addition, the complaint includes serious allegations that Smith engaged in “grooming and priming” Joseph for further sexual exploitation during the months before the tour, citing comments Smith allegedly made that Joseph interpreted as overly personal and intimate.

Joseph’s legal filing seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as other relief for emotional distress, economic loss, PTSD, and reputational harm he claims to have suffered.

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As of now, no official response has been issued by Will Smith or Treyball Studios Management, and the lawsuit’s claims — including predatory behaviour and sexual harassment — have not been tested in court.