Brian King Joseph, a violinist from Will Smith's 2025 tour, has filed a lawsuit accusing the artist of sexual harassment, grooming, and wrongful termination. The complaint, filed on December 30, 2025, in Los Angeles Superior Court, details an alleged hotel break-in with sexually suggestive items and subsequent firing after reporting the incident. Smith's representatives deny the claims as false and baseless.
Brian King Joseph, who placed third on season 13 of America's Got Talent in 2018, met Will Smith in November 2024 during a performance in San Diego. Smith reportedly invited Joseph to join his Based on a True Story tour and contribute to the album, released in March 2025. The lawsuit claims Joseph developed a close relationship with Smith, who allegedly said, "You and I have such a special connection that I don't have with anyone else."
The alleged incident occurred in March 2025 in Las Vegas, ahead of Smith's show at the House of Blues on March 20. Joseph claims Smith's management lost his bag containing his hotel key. Upon returning to his room, he found no signs of forced entry but discovered items including a handwritten note reading "Brian, I'll be back… just us" with a heart and signed "Stone F.," wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, a bottle of HIV medication, an earring, and hospital discharge papers from an unknown person. Fearing sexual assault, Joseph reported the matter to hotel security, Smith's representatives, and local police non-emergency line.
Four days later, a management team member allegedly shamed Joseph, accused him of fabricating the story, and terminated his employment. The complaint states this caused severe emotional distress, economic loss, reputational harm, PTSD, and physiological damage. It accuses Smith of "deliberately grooming and priming Mr. Joseph for further sexual exploitation," pointing to a pattern of predatory behavior.
Joseph is suing Smith and Treyball Studios Management for sexual harassment and retaliation, seeking unspecified damages. Smith's attorney, Allen B. Grodsky, stated to People, "Mr. Joseph’s allegations concerning my client are false, baseless, and reckless. They are categorically denied, and we will use all legal means available to address these claims and to ensure that the truth is brought to light."
Smith's tour officially began in June 2025 in Rabat, Morocco, following performances in Las Vegas and Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium.