A violinist has filed a lawsuit accusing actor and musician Will Smith of retaliating against him by terminating his employment after he reported what he describes as sexual harassment during a concert tour.
The complaint was filed earlier this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The lawsuit centers on an incident described as an unauthorized entry into a hotel room in Las Vegas in March.
According to the filing, violinist Brian King Joseph reported the alleged intrusion immediately to hotel security, local police, and members of Smith’s management team.
Will Smith sued by tour violinist for sexual harassment and wrongful termination
The incident occurred while Joseph was in Las Vegas as part of Smith’s tour supporting his latest album, Based on a True Story. Joseph alleges that only days after reporting the matter, a representative for Smith accused him of fabricating the incident and dismissed him from the tour.
The lawsuit claims the termination was an act of retaliation rather than a legitimate professional decision. While the complaint does’nt specify the amount of damages being sought, it names both Smith, 57, and a talent representation company affiliated with him as defendants. Representatives for Smith have declined to comment on the allegations.
According to the lawsuit, Joseph began performing with Will Smith in December 2024 and formally joined the tour in 2025. During that time, the two allegedly spent increasing amounts of time together. Smith is accused of telling Joseph that they shared a “special connection” unlike any other relationship he had experienced.
The facts
The complaint states that on or around March 20, Joseph returned to his hotel room at approximately 11 p.m. and believed someone had entered the room without his permission while he was away. Alarmed, he contacted hotel security and law enforcement, as well as Smith’s representatives, to report the incident.
Joseph alleges that instead of investigating his concerns, a representative for Smith confronted him and accused him of lying about the incident. The lawsuit claims no meaningful effort was made to verify his account or address potential safety issues. Shortly after his dismissal, another violinist was reportedly hired to replace him, despite Joseph being told that the tour was “moving in a different direction.”
The complaint further alleges that hotel security found no signs of forced entry and determined that only members of Smith’s management team had access to Joseph’s room during his absence. Joseph argues this detail heightens concerns about how the incident was handled and underscores his claim of retaliation.
The case adds to ongoing scrutiny surrounding workplace conduct and accountability in the entertainment industry, particularly when allegations are raised during high-profile tours involving powerful figures.
