A former violinist who joined Will Smith on his concert tour last year has filed a lawsuit against the actor and his production company, alleging wrongful termination and sexual harassment. The plaintiff, Brian King Joseph, claims that he faced retaliation for reporting safety concerns while on tour for the show titled “Based on a True Story: 2025.”
In court documents obtained by People magazine, Joseph details a troubling incident that reportedly occurred during the tour. He alleges that upon entering his hotel room in Las Vegas, he discovered a handwritten note addressed to him, along with a backpack containing a beer bottle, wipes, and a bottle of HIV medication. The lawsuit claims that these findings led Joseph to fear that an unknown individual might return to his room for sexual purposes. He accuses Smith of deliberately grooming him for sexual exploitation.
The complaint alleges that following his report of the situation to hotel staff, Joseph was met with shame from the tour management team. He contends that he was subsequently terminated from his position. The lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, asserts that this termination has resulted in severe emotional distress, economic loss, and reputational harm, including symptoms of PTSD and other mental health challenges.
Joseph took to social media shortly before filing the lawsuit, hinting at the legal matter with a video on Instagram. “Earlier this year I was hired to be a performer on a major major tour with somebody who was huge in the industry,” he stated. “Unfortunately, some things happened… the reason why I’m speaking out about this is because getting fired or being blamed or shamed simply for reporting sexual misconduct or safety threats at work is not okay.”
In response to the allegations, Allen B. Grodsky, Smith’s attorney, firmly denied all claims made against his client. He described the allegations as “false, baseless and reckless,” asserting that they would pursue legal avenues to address the claims and seek to establish the truth.
As this situation unfolds, the implications for both Joseph and Smith extend beyond the courtroom, potentially affecting their reputations and careers. The legal proceedings will likely attract significant attention as they bring to light issues of workplace safety and accountability in the entertainment industry.
