A professional violinist, Brian King Joseph, has filed a lawsuit against Hollywood star Will Smith and a management firm, accusing them of sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination.
The suit was filed on Tuesday at the Los Angeles County Superior Court and names Smith and Treyball Studios Management as defendants.
Joseph, who performed during Smith’s Based on a True Story: 2025 Tour, alleged that he was fired shortly after reporting a disturbing incident involving his hotel room while on tour.
According to the court documents, Joseph was hired in late 2024 to join Smith’s global tour and other performances. He claimed that he and the actor-musician developed a close relationship before and during the tour.
The lawsuit quoted Smith as telling him at one point, “You and I have such a special connection, that I don’t have with anyone else.”
The main incident happened in March 2025 while the tour was in Las Vegas.
Joseph alleged that someone unlawfully entered his hotel room while he was away and left several items behind. These included wipes, a beer bottle, a backpack, a bottle of HIV medication with another person’s name, hospital discharge papers and a handwritten note.
The note reportedly read, “Brian, I’ll be back no later 5:30, just us,” with a drawn heart and signed, “Stone F.”
Joseph said he feared the unknown person would return to the room to “engage in sexual acts” with him. He reported the matter to hotel security, Smith’s representatives and also contacted a local police non-emergency line.
According to the lawsuit, hotel security found no sign of forced entry and said only members of the management team who booked the room had access.
Joseph claimed that instead of investigating the incident, tour management accused him of making up the story and later terminated his contract.
He said he was told that the tour was “moving in a different direction,” but another violinist was quickly hired to replace him.
The suit further alleged that Smith was involved in the decision to sack him and accused the actor of “deliberately grooming and priming” him for “further sexual exploitation.”
Joseph said the incident and his dismissal caused him severe emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder and financial loss.
Reacting to the claims, Smith’s lawyer denied all allegations.
“Mr. Joseph’s allegations concerning my client are false, baseless, and reckless,” Smith’s attorney, Allen B. Grodsky, said in a statement to PEOPLE.
“They are categorically denied, and we will use all legal means available to address these claims and to ensure that the truth is brought to light,” he added.
CNN said it had contacted Smith’s representatives and a spokesperson linked to Treyball Studios Management for comments.
Last week, Joseph shared a video on Instagram, hinting at the legal battle without mentioning names.
“Earlier this year, I was hired to be a performer on a major tour with somebody who is huge in the industry,” he said.
“Getting fired or blamed or threatened simply for reporting sexual misconduct or safety threats at work is not OK,” Joseph added.
He encouraged others to speak up, saying, “I know there are people who are afraid to speak, and if that’s you, I see you.”
Joseph, a native of Washington DC, rose to fame after finishing among the top three finalists on America’s Got Talent in 2018.
Smith’s Based on a True Story tour ran between June and September 2025, following the release of his album earlier that year.
The case adds to recent legal troubles linked to the actor’s circle, as the court is expected to hear preliminary arguments in the coming weeks.
