Brian King Joseph Filed a Complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court
Brian King Joseph, a professional violinist, filed a complaint on Dec. 30 in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, against Will Smith and Treyball Studios Management, Inc. The complaint includes allegations of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation.
According to the filing, Joseph alleges that Smith “was deliberately grooming and priming Mr. Joseph for further sexual exploitation” following an alleged incident that occurred during Smith’s global tour, Based on a True Story, in March 2025. The lawsuit states that Joseph was hired as a performer on the tour and that events during that time led to his eventual termination.The filing further claims that after Joseph raised concerns regarding the alleged incident, he was removed from the tour and replaced by another violinist. The complaint asserts that Joseph suffered emotional, financial, and reputational harm as a result.
Video Shared on Instagram Days Before the Complaint Was Filed
On Dec. 25, several days before filing his complaint, Joseph shared a video on Instagram that appeared to reference both his experience on tour and a forthcoming legal matter. In the video, Joseph did not mention Smith by name but described working on a major tour earlier in the year.
“Earlier this year I was hired to be a performer on a major major tour with somebody who was huge in the industry. So I was excited, you know, proud of myself for getting the opportunity. Unfortunately some things happened,” Joseph said in the video.
He continued by stating that he could not discuss specific details at the time due to legal reasons. “I can’t get too into the details of exactly what that was because it’s already a legal issue right now, but the reason why I’m speaking out about this is because 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 addressed others who may have experienced similar situations. “I know that there’s a lot of other people out there who have been afraid to speak out, and I understand, and if that’s you, I see you,” he said. “And that’s pretty much it. More updates to come soon. Thanks for listening.”
Details Outlined in the Complaint Regarding March 2025 Incident
In the complaint, Joseph described what he called a “traumatic series of events” that allegedly took place in March 2025 during Smith’s tour. According to the filing, Joseph discovered that someone had entered his Las Vegas hotel room without signs of forced entry.The complaint states that Joseph found a handwritten note that read, “Brian, I’ll be back…just us,” with a heart drawn next to it and signed, “Stone F.” The filing also lists several items Joseph allegedly found in the room, including “wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, a bottle of HIV medication with another individual’s name, an earring, and hospital discharge paperwork belonging to a person unbeknownst to” him.
Joseph reported the incident to hotel staff, a local non-emergency police line, and Smith’s management team, according to the complaint. The filing alleges that following these reports, a member of the tour management team “shamed” Joseph and informed him that he was being terminated.
Attorney for Will Smith Responds to the Allegations
In a statement shared with People on Jan. 1, Allen B. Grodsky, an attorney representing Smith, denied the allegations made in the complaint.“Mr. Joseph’s allegations concerning my client are false, baseless, and reckless,” Grodsky said. “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.”As of publication, Smith has not personally commented on the lawsuit outside of his attorney’s statement.
