Los Angeles, Jan 2 (NationPress) Will Smith faces a lawsuit from a tour violinist who alleges that the Hollywood actor-rapper engaged in sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation.

The plaintiff, musician Brian King Joseph, has named Smith and Treyball Studios Management as defendants, claiming that Smith exhibited predatory behavior and intentionally groomed him for further sexual exploitation during the recent “Based on a True Story: 2025 Tour,” as reported by variety.com.

According to the lawsuit, Smith initially hired Joseph in November 2024 for a performance in San Diego, eventually inviting him to join his 2025 tour and contribute to his upcoming album.

As their relationship developed, Smith reportedly expressed, “you and I have such a special connection, that I don’t have with anyone else,” among other similar sentiments, as noted in variety.com.

Joseph, who had previously competed on “America’s Got Talent,” participated in the first leg of Smith’s tour starting March 2025 during a show in Las Vegas, where accommodations were arranged for the band and crew.

The lawsuit claims that after Joseph’s bag, which held his hotel room key, went missing for several hours, it was eventually retrieved by management, who were the “only individuals with access to (his) room.”

Upon returning to his room that evening, Joseph discovered that someone had “unlawfully” entered and left behind personal items, including wipes, a bottle of HIV medication with a different person’s name, and a note stating, “Brian, I’ll be back no later (sic) 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F.” Joseph interpreted this as a warning that “an unknown individual would soon return to his room to engage in sexual acts” with him.

He promptly informed hotel security, Smith’s representatives, and reported the occurrence to a non-emergency police line.

Shortly thereafter, a management team member allegedly “shamed” Joseph for the incident, indicating that he would be terminated and suggesting that Joseph fabricated the events.

As a result of this termination, Joseph claims to have experienced PTSD and financial losses. He is seeking damages for retaliation, wrongful termination, and sexual harassment, requesting that a jury determine the amount, according to variety.com.