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By Jenni Fink and Jenna Sundel
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Musician Brian King Joseph has accused actor and rapper Will Smith of firing him for reporting a sexual assault that occurred on his tour, according to a complaint obtained by Newsweek, and for "grooming" him for sexual exploitation.
In a lawsuit filed in California on Tuesday, Joseph says that he was fired a few days after he reported that he returned to his hotel room to find someone had entered it and left a sexual message. Joseph said he reported the incident to hotel security and tour management, but he was accused of lying.
"My client Brian King Joseph is a former America’s Got Talent star violinist who was hired by Will Smith to go on tour with Smith for his new album. There is a lot of information that will come out as part of the litigation process that we are not able to share at this time. Brian was very close with Smith prior to the termination and was headlined in one of the concerts," Jonathan J. Delshad, Joseph's attorney, told Newsweek.
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Smith's attorney, Allen B. Grodsky, said in a statement sent to Newsweek: "Mr. Joseph’s allegations concerning my client are false, baseless, and reckless."
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Why It Matters
Joseph is accusing Smith and other co-defendants of retaliation in violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act, retaliation pursuant to California labor code, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, Bane Act violation, Ralph Act violation and sexual harassment in violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act.
Delshad said in the lawsuit that Joseph "suffered humiliation, mental and physical distress, and anxiety" as a result of the defendants' actions.
What To Know
The incident allegedly occurred on Smith's Based on a True Story Tour. The lawsuit alleges that on or about March 20, 2025, while staying at a hotel in Las Vegas for a scheduled tour performance, Joseph found evidence that an unknown person had unlawfully entered the room.
"The evidence included a handwritten note addressed to Plaintiff by name, which read 'Brian, I’ll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F.” Among the remaining belongings were wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, a bottle of HIV medication with another individual’s name, an earring, and hospital discharge paperwork belonging to a person unbeknownst to Plaintiff," Delshad wrote.
Delshad said Joseph "feared that an unknown individual would soon return to his room to engage in sexual acts" with him.
The lawsuit also alleges that Smith was "grooming and priming" Joseph for "further sexual exploitation" since they met in November 2024.
Delshad alleged that Smith told Joseph, "You and I have such a special connection, that I don’t have with anyone else.” Delshad said Smith also used "other similar expressions indicating his closeness to Plaintiff."
"The facts strongly suggest that Defendant Willard Carroll Smith II was deliberately grooming and priming Mr. Joseph for further sexual exploitation. The sequence of events, Smith’s prior statements to Plaintiff, and the circumstances of the hotel intrusion all point to a pattern of predatory behavior rather than an isolated incident," Delshad wrote.
Delshad said that his client believes Smith was involved in the decision to terminate him.
The attorney said the defendants' actions caused Joseph "economic loss" and "reputational harm." Joseph also suffered PTSD and other mental illnesses as a result of his termination, Delshad said.
What People Are Saying
Allen B. Grodsky, attorney for Will Smith, in a statement sent to Newsweek: "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.”
Jonathan J. Delshad, Brian King Joseph's attorney, in the complaint: "Defendant's actions caused Plaintiff severe emotional distress, economic loss, reputational harm, and other damages. Plaintiff was also harmed as a result of the stress of losing his job his health deteriorated causing major physiological damage."
What Happens Next
Joseph is asking the court for special, general, and compensatory damages; punitive damages; reasonable attorneys’ fees, expert witness fees, and other litigation expenses pursuant to law; injunctive relief where the court deems appropriate; a total amount of damages as determined by the jury; and all other relief the Court deems appropriate.
Update 01/02/26, 09:22 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from Allen B. Grodsky.
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