Hollywood star Will Smith is facing a new lawsuit from a musician and America’s Got Talent finalist who alleges sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination related to events during the actor-musician’s 2025 world tour. Brian King Joseph, a professional violinist who rose to fame as a top-three finalist on AGT Season 13, filed the complaint on December 30, 2025 in the Superior Court of California.
The lawsuit names Smith and his management company, Treyball Studios Management, Inc., as defendants. According to court documents, Joseph was invited to join Smith’s Based on a True Story: 2025 global tour after performing with him in late-2024 and contributing to recordings for Smith’s upcoming music projects.
Central to the complaint is an alleged incident that took place in March 2025 in Las Vegas, where Joseph says he returned to his hotel room—booked by the tour management—to find evidence that someone had entered without consent. Joseph claims there were no signs of forced entry and that the only people with access were hotel staff and members of the tour crew. Inside his room, he alleges he found a handwritten note addressed to him that referenced a future meeting, along with personal items and medical belongings that did not belong to him. Joseph says the message made him fear an imminent sexual threat.
Joseph told hotel security, local authorities and members of Smith’s tour team about the incident, according to the lawsuit. Instead of receiving support, the complaint alleges he was shamed by a member of the management team and terminated from the tour days later, with another violinist quickly hired in his place. The lawsuit alleges this was retaliatory and in violation of California employment and civil-rights laws.
In addition to harassment claims, Joseph’s filing accuses Smith of “deliberately grooming and priming” him for sexual exploitation earlier in their working relationship, citing comments Smith allegedly made expressing an unusually personal connection. The lawsuit seeks compensatory, punitive and other damages for emotional distress, PTSD, reputational harm and economic loss.
Representatives for Will Smith and his management have not yet issued a public response to the suit. Legal experts say the case could unfold over many months as both sides prepare evidence and arguments.
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