Rhianna Benson
A lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court has seen a violinist accuse actor Will Smith of both sexual harassment and retaliation.
According to documents obtained by NBC, whilst musician Brian King Joseph was on tour with the Fresh Prince star in 2025, he observed unwanted sexual behaviour being exhibited by Smith.
This allegedly included a 'hotel inclusion', which occurred in Las Vegas in March of last year.
The two had been working together since December 2024, when Joseph joined Smith for his latest album, Based on a True Story. After striking up quite a friendship, the artist claims they started spending time together alone.
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Joseph - who previously competed on America’s Got Talent - claims 57-year-old Smith had told him he believed the pair had a 'special connection'.
On 20 March, the violinist claims to have returned to his hotel room following a Las Vegas show at around 11pm, discovering that someone had unlawfully entered the space whilst he was gone.
In the room, Joseph claims to have discovered several items that didn't belong to him, including wipes, a beer bottle, an earring, a red backpack, HIV medication with another person's name on it, and hospital discharge paperwork for another unknown individual.
He also claims to have found a note that read, 'Brian, I’ll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F'.
The complaint adds of Joseph: "Plaintiff feared that an unknown individual would soon return to his room to engage in sexual acts with Plaintiff.
"After reporting the incident to hotel security, Joseph was told there were no signs of forced entry, and only individuals who fell under Smith's management team - Treyball Studios Management, Inc - had bore access to the room."
As per the lawsuit, the Washington, D.C.-born artist 'feared that an unknown individual would soon return to his room to engage in sexual acts'.
The musician also reported the incident to both the police and the artist’s representatives.
In response to this, he claims the father-of-two team unfairly fired him whilst denying all accusations, claiming Joseph was to blame for the incident.
Smith is also quoted as saying, in part: "Everyone is telling me that what happened to you is a lie, nothing happened, and you made the whole thing up. So, tell me, why did you lie and make this up?"
In addition, Joseph claims he was informed by the actor's team that the tour was 'moving in a different direction', despite another violinist later being hired for the job.
He added that the fiasco inflicted 'severe emotional distress, economic loss, repetitional harm, and other damages'.
In the legal documentation, the artist - who describes the incident as a 'traumatic series of events' - also names a management company associated with it as a defendant.
Joseph's claims have also been recounted in a viral Instagram video, in which he recalls being hired to tour with someone 'huge in the industry', but claimed he couldn't go into specifics 'because it's already a legal issue right now'.
On being hired, he continued: "I was excited, you know? Proud of myself for getting the opportunity."
The star added, however, "Unfortunately, some things happened."
Elsewhere, he said: "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."
Joseph also told his followers: "I know that there's a lot of other people out there who have been afraid to speak up.
"I understand, and if that's you, I see you."
He captioned the post: "Important PSA: love you guys, stay safe out there and always stand up for your beliefs and what is right no matter what."
The damages being sought haven't yet been made public.
Responding to the claims, an attorney for Smith has given a statement to PEOPLE magazine, with Allen B. Grodsky slamming 'Mr Joseph's allegations' as 'false, baseless and reckless'.
The lawyer continued: "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."
Tyla has reached out to Smith's representatives for comment.