Brian King Joseph claims the rapper and actor was ‘priming’ him for ‘sexual exploitation’. Smith’s lawyer has called the allegations ‘false, baseless and reckless’
A violinist from Will Smith’s 2025 tour is suing the rapper and actor, accusing him of “predatory behavior” and “deliberately grooming and priming” him for “further sexual exploitation.” In a lawsuit filed in the California superior court, Brian King Joseph is also suing the artist and his business, Treyball Studios Management, for retaliation and wrongful termination.
Joseph claims that after making his stage debut alongside Smith in December 2024, he was recruited for the tour to promote Smith’s new record, Based on a True Story. Smith allegedly said to Joseph, “You and I have such a special connection that I don’t have with anyone else,” according to the lawsuit.
Joseph claims that during a Las Vegas tour in March 2025, his backpack and hotel room key vanished and were found a few hours later. Joseph believes that when he returned to his hotel room that evening, it had been “illegally” accessed. Wipes and HIV medication with someone else’s name were left inside, along with a message that said, “Brian, I’ll be back no later 5.30, just us <3, Stone F.” According to Joseph, he came to the conclusion that “an unknown individual would soon return to his room to engage in sexual acts” with him.
According to the lawsuit, “the only individuals with access” to his room were tour management personnel. Joseph claims that he reported the event to a non-emergency police line and informed Smith’s reps and hotel security. Joseph says that after the incident, he was “shamed” by a member of Smith’s management team and had his contract canceled, implying that he had made it up.
According to Joseph’s lawsuit, he suffered from PTSD and financial loss as a result of the termination.
In a response to the Daily Mail, Smith’s lawyer Allen B. Grodsky refuted these claims, saying: “Mr. Joseph’s claims about my client are untrue, unfounded, and careless.
“They are categorically denied, and we will address these claims and make sure the truth is revealed using all available legal means.” Smith’s reps have been contacted by The Guardian.
Smith’s first album in two decades was titled Based on a True Story. His attack on Chris Rock during the 2022 Academy Awards was mentioned in passing. The album was a complete failure, peaking at No. 79 on the UK album downloads list (not the main album chart) for one week and failing to chart in any major territories.
“Based on a True Story lacks the easy repose of an artist in their comfort zone, or the playfulness of one cutting loose in their sanctum,” writer Stephen Kearse stated in a review of the album for Pitchfork, which gave it a 2.4/10 rating. It is a campaign platform that is always focused on the phrase, “Please take me back,” and lacks viewpoint, style, narrative, or even spin.
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