Hollywood star Will Smith sued by his tour violinist over sexual assault and wrongful termination

Hollywood star Will Smith is in the headlines again but this time for all the wrong reasons. As per a report, the actor is being sued by a violinist Brian King Joseph.

Who is Brian King Joseph?

Joseph, a Washington, D.C. native, competed on America’s Got Talent season 13 in 2018, placing as a top-three finalist. In December 2024, the musician posted a video of him playing violin onstage to Instagram, indicating in his caption that it was the first night of his touring with Smith.

What happened with the violinist?

Joseph is suing Will Smith and his company, Treyball Studios Management. The allegations are of sexual assault by Will Smith followed by his wrongful termination after an incident in March in Las Vegas on the rapper’s Based on a True Story 2025 tour.

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The veteran Hollywood star has been accused of ‘predatory behavior’ and ‘deliberately grooming and priming Mr. Joseph for further sexual exploitation.’

As per a report by USA Today, Joseph filed a civil complaint at a Los Angeles court on December 31 and alleged that he found sexual messages and a bottle of beer when he entered his room after the tour. There were HIV medications too with someone else’s name written on them.

There was a note which read, “Brian, I’ll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F.”

The hotel management and the tour management accused him of lying when he reported the incident. Joseph’s suit further mentioned how Smith was grooming him for further sexual exploitation ever since they met in November 2024. Smith once told the violinist, “You and I have such a special connection, that I don’t have with anyone else.”

Smith is yet to comment on the matter.