Will Smith's former friend, Bilaal Salaam, has responded to a judge’s ruling that he needs to pay for Jada Pinkett Smith's attorney fees after losing their legal battle.
In late May, a judge ordered that Pinkett Smith would receive over $32,000 in legal fees from Salaam. Now, TMZ reports that Salaam says he doesn’t have the money.
In court documents obtained by the outlet, Bilaal has requested that the court revise the judgment, claiming that he’s "certified homeless" and collects welfare benefits. He acknowledges that he wants to pay Jada, but has asked the judge to reduce the amount or set up a payment plan.
In December, Salaam — who's known Will for decades — alleged that Jada threatened him during a confrontation that took place in September 2021. Salaam also claimed that tensions escalated again following the 2022 Academy Awards, where Will slapped Chris Rock onstage. Salaam said he was asked to assist with crisis management in the aftermath, but refused.
Salaam filed a $3 million lawsuit against Pinkett Smith for intentional infliction of emotional distress, which she denied. After his case was dismissed, she asked the judge to have Salaam cover her legal costs, which amounted to $49,000. On May 18, the judge ordered Salaam to pay Pinkett Smith $32,836 in attorney costs and related legal expenses.
Last month, Will Smith's ex-wife Sheree Zampino filed a lawsuit against Bilaal Salaam over claims he made in an interview with gossip blogger Tasha K.
Zampino, who was married to Smith from 1992 to 1995, claimed in the lawsuit that Salaam has "turned his attention" to her by making "outrageously offensive, shocking, and hurtful statements" during the interview.
In the lawsuit, Zampino highlighted a clip for the interview, which was captioned: "Exclusive: Bilaal claims Will Smith’s ex-wife Sheree Zampino was sleeping with everyone in [Hollywood]!!!"
While the clip has since been removed, Salaam made even more disparaging remarks about Smith’s ex-wife in the full interview. He referred to her as a "whore" multiple times throughout the episode of Unwine with Tasha K, and alleged that, at one point, she was "screwing everybody in Hollywood."
Zampino has disputed the claims and said that they should be considered slander under California law.
