Violinist Brian King Joseph Files Lawsuit Against Will Smith for Sexual Harassment and Job Loss
Violinist Brian King Joseph Sues Will Smith for Sexual Harassment and Wrongful Termination
Professional violinist Brian King Joseph has filed a lawsuit against actor Will Smith and Treyball Studios Management, alleging sexual harassment and wrongful termination. The complaint, submitted in a Los Angeles court on December 30, accuses Smith of engaging in “predatory behavior” during the promotional tour for Smith’s upcoming project, Based on a True Story: 2025.
In the legal documents, Joseph claims he was invited to join Smith’s tour in November 2024 and subsequently experienced unsettling encounters. He alleges that after returning to his hotel room, which had been reserved by Smith’s company, he found evidence suggesting that someone had unlawfully accessed the space. The room reportedly contained a beer bottle, wipes, and a bottle of HIV medication labeled with another person’s name, along with hospital discharge paperwork. Notably, Joseph also discovered a note that he interpreted as indicative of an impending sexual encounter.
Joseph asserts that only management personnel had access to his hotel room during this period. He mentioned that he lost his bag, which contained his room key, during their stay in Las Vegas, further complicating the situation. After reporting the incident to hotel security and tour management, he claims that he was met with skepticism, being accused of fabricating the events.
Just days after the incident, Joseph’s employment with the tour was terminated under the pretext of management “moving in a different direction.” He contends that he was swiftly replaced by another violinist in the same role, challenging the legitimacy of the termination.
The suit seeks damages for retaliation, wrongful termination, and sexual harassment, with Joseph citing significant emotional distress, including PTSD, and financial losses as a result of his dismissal. Moreover, he alleges that Smith had been preparing him for inappropriate actions since their initial meeting in November 2024, stressing a so-called “special connection” that Smith purportedly claimed they shared.
Representatives for both Smith and Joseph have been contacted for comments regarding the lawsuit.
