Will Smith faces sexual harassment allegations after musician says he was ‘groomed’ on tour

Former America’s Got Talent contestant Brian King Joseph joined Will Smith’s upcoming Based on a True Story: 2025 Tour as a violinist. However, Joseph contends that during a stop on the tour in Las Vegas, he was “groomed and primed” for sexual harassment through bizarre non-verbal cues, and is now suing Smith for wrongful termination and sexual harassment.

In the aftermath of the notorious Chris Rock slap at the Oscars, Smith pivoted back to music in an attempt to rebuild his career. The subsequent album was not received well. Pitchfork gave it a 2.4/10 rating, calling the work “devoid of perspective” and existing only as a medium for Smith to beg the industry to take him back.

What is he alleging Smith did?

If Joseph is to be believed, this period was apparently a very lonely time for the A-list star. According to Variety, just a few months after Smith met Joseph, the Academy Award winner was allegedly telling the violinist, “You and I have such a special connection that I don’t have with anyone else.” Joseph alleges that this and other comments like it were his first red flags.

His suit claims that in March 2025, when the tour stopped in Las Vegas, his bag went missing. Joseph says the seemingly small incident ended up changing his entire experience on the tour. The bag allegedly contained his room key, which had been placed beside those of his other band members.

According to Joseph, it didn’t take long for management to locate the bag and return it to him, with nothing seemingly missing. It was only when he got back to his hotel room that he realized someone had allegedly used the key card to access it. Joseph claims he found wipes, HIV medication, and a note that read: “Brian, I’ll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F,” which he interpreted as a warning that someone would return to his room to coerce him into “sexual acts.”

The burden of proof appears high, and as the case proceeds, it will become clearer how much evidence Joseph’s lawyers have in their possession. Joseph did, however, report the incident to both the police and hotel management. He claims that in the days that followed, Smith’s team “shamed” him and eventually fired him. Smith now joins figures like Tyler Perry who are contending with sexual harassment claims. Smith has not commented on the allegations.

Joseph claims he suffered economic loss and post-traumatic stress disorder. He is now seeking damages to be determined by a jury.