A Los Angeles judge has ordered Jada Pinkett Smith to receive more than $32,000 in legal fees from Bilaal Salaam, the former friend and associate of Will Smith who sued her for $3 million last year.
According to court documents obtained by People, Salaam — also known as Brother Bilaal — was ordered on May 18 to pay Pinkett Smith $32,836 in attorney costs and related legal expenses. The ruling followed a motion filed by Pinkett Smith in April seeking nearly $50,000 after partially prevailing in court under California’s anti-SLAPP statute.
The judge ultimately reduced the amount requested, finding that some of Pinkett Smith’s legal team billed at unusually high hourly rates and spent excessive time preparing motions despite their experience.
Still, the court ruled largely in her favor.
Salaam also attempted to reduce the payment by arguing financial hardship, but the court denied that request because it was not properly raised in earlier filings.
In his complaint, Salaam alleged Pinkett Smith confronted him during a private birthday celebration for Will Smith and warned that if he continued “telling her personal business,” he would “end up missing or catch a bullet.”
Salaam’s lawsuit also accused Pinkett Smith and people connected to the Smiths of launching a retaliatory campaign against him after he publicly discussed the couple in interviews and while promoting what he described as a whistleblower memoir. The filing included claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and reputational damage.
Pinkett Smith publicly denied the allegations long before the lawsuit was filed. During a 2023 appearance on The Breakfast Club, she dismissed Salaam’s claims as “nonsense.” She also said that she and Will Smith intended to pursue legal action in response to his public statements.
One of the key issues in the recent court fight involved a cease-and-desist letter sent to Salaam by attorneys representing the Smiths. Pinkett Smith’s legal team argued that the confidential legal correspondence was protected activity under California law and should not have been used as the basis for portions of Salaam’s lawsuit.
Court filings show the judge agreed in part, striking multiple allegations tied to public statements and the cease-and-desist letter itself.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Aug. 19 after the court denied Salaam’s request for a trial.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, harassment, or threats, help is available. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit RAINN.org for confidential support and resources.
