Will Smith has asked a judge to dismiss a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him by his former tour violinist who claims the actor and rapper groomed him.
Late last year, musician Brian King Joseph accused the Academy Award winner of "deliberately grooming and priming" him for "further sexual exploitation" during Smith’s Based on a True Story Tour.
Joseph alleges that his bag was missing for several hours from his hotel room before being returned with items including HIV medication and a note that read, "Brian, I'll be back...just us," with a drawn heart." The items led Joseph to believe that a person would return to his room and sexually assault him.
In a motion filed on February 20 to the Superior Court of Los Angeles, Smith and his company, Treyball Studios Management, called for Joseph’s lawsuit to be dismissed, citing "false and defamatory conclusory allegations."
Smith’s legal team went on to claim that Joseph has targeted the entertainer though a "frivolous lawsuit" by using "false and salacious allegations" that are "untrue, inflammatory, legally baseless, and are nothing but an attempted money grab."
Moreover, the lawyers claim that Joseph, who was a contestant on season 13 of America’s Got Talent, was kicked off Smith’s tour due to underperforming, although the decision was not made by Smith. They also denied that Joseph was invited to be involved with the tour.
"Plaintiff was never promised a regular position in the band. Ultimately, it was determined that Plaintiff was not a good fit for the band and he was not invited to perform at further shows," the document read.
Smith’s attorneys seek a dismissal that hinges on Joseph’s lack of valid evidence to support his allegations. The musician’s attorney, Jonathan J. Delshad, has pushed back, telling Billboard that they plan to "oppose the motions and present the facts in court."
A hearing is scheduled for April 28, 2026.
