Will Smith Sued by Band Member for Sexual Harassment

Actor and rapper Will Smith is being sued for sexual harassment and wrongful termination by a band member of his 2025 Based on a True Story Tour. The touring company Treyball Studios Management Inc. has been named as a co-defendant in the lawsuit.

ABC News reports that Brian King Joseph, electric violinist and former America's Got Talent finalist, filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court accusing Smith of "deliberately grooming and priming [him] for further sexual exploitation," suggesting "a pattern of predatory behavior."

In a video posted by Joseph on his official Instagram account on Christmas Day, he mentions a legal issue involving sexual misconduct in relation to a major tour.

Joseph has requested a jury trial and compensatory damages, attorney's fees and other unspecified relief.

Joseph played only three gigs before being fired. He alleges that he was wrongfully terminated and retaliated against after reporting workplace safety hazards.

"According to the complaint, Joseph said he reported to Smith and the touring company that someone had 'unlawfully' entered his Las Vegas hotel room during the tour and allegedly left a handwritten note among other items, including wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, a bottle of HIV medication bearing another person's name, an earring, and hospital discharge paperwork for someone Joseph did not know."

The note reportedly read, "Brian, I'll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F."

"Joseph said he reported the matter to the hotel, a local non-emergency police line, and to Smith's representatives, stating that he was afraid someone was going to return to his hotel room and try to have sex with him," ABC News stated.

"In the complaint, Joseph said a few days after notifying Smith's team, he was terminated from his role with the tour and accused of making up the matter, and another violinist was hired to replace him on tour."

"Joseph said in the complaint that he experienced PTSD and mental illness because of the termination."

An attorney for Smith categorically denied the claims.

Based on a True Story was Smith's first full-length album since 2005.

Will Smith (Photo credit: IMAGO/Gartner)