Los Angeles, March 26, 2024 — A former violinist and crew member for Will Smith has filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination and sexual harassment against the actor and his touring company. The lawsuit brings to light disturbing accusations and raises questions about workplace safety within the entertainment industry.
Allegations Detail Disturbing Hotel Incident
The complaint outlines a series of events that allegedly occurred during a 2025 tour with Smith, culminating in a concerning incident in Las Vegas.
- Brian King Joseph claims he was fired after reporting a potential sexual assault threat.
- The lawsuit alleges Smith engaged in a “pattern of predatory behavior” and “deliberately grooming” Joseph.
- Joseph reported an unauthorized entry into his hotel room and the discovery of unsettling items.
- Smith’s attorney has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “false, baseless, and reckless.”
- Joseph is seeking compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, and a trial.
According to court documents filed Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Brian King Joseph states that around March 20, while in Las Vegas, someone entered his hotel room without permission. He discovered wipes, a beer bottle, an earring, a red backpack, HIV medication prescribed to someone else, hospital discharge paperwork for an unknown individual, and a handwritten note reading: “Brian, I’ll be back no later 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F.”
Joseph reported the incident to hotel security, local authorities, and Smith’s team, expressing fears that the individual might return and attempt to sexually assault him. However, he alleges that days later, he was terminated by a representative of Smith and falsely accused of fabricating the story.
Accusations of Grooming and Predatory Behavior
The lawsuit goes further, accusing Smith of “deliberately grooming and priming [him] for further sexual exploitation,” and exhibiting a “pattern of predatory behavior.” Joseph claims he has suffered PTSD and mental illness as a result of his firing and the preceding events.
What recourse do employees have when reporting sexual misconduct in the workplace? Employees who report sexual misconduct are legally protected from retaliation, and employers have a duty to investigate and address such claims promptly and effectively.
In a statement, Allen B. Grodsky, an attorney representing Smith, dismissed the allegations as “false, baseless, and reckless,” stating they would be “categorically denied” and “addressed with all legal means available to ensure the truth is brought to light.”
Prior to filing the lawsuit, Joseph alluded to the situation in a video posted to his Instagram account approximately a week ago. In the video, he described being hired as a performer on a “major major tour” with a “huge” industry figure, but noted that “unfortunately some things happened.”
“I can’t get too into the details of exactly what that was because it’s already a legal issue right now,” he explained. “But the reason why I’m speaking out about this is because getting fired or getting blamed or shamed or threatened or anything like that simply for reporting sexual misconduct or safety threats at work is not okay.” He concluded by expressing solidarity with others who may be afraid to come forward.
Quick fact: Reporting sexual harassment or misconduct is a protected activity under federal law, and employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who do so.
