{"id":214335,"date":"2026-01-02T13:09:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T13:09:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/02\/will-smith-sued-for-sexual-harassment-wrongful-termination\/"},"modified":"2026-01-02T13:09:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T13:09:16","slug":"will-smith-sued-for-sexual-harassment-wrongful-termination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/02\/will-smith-sued-for-sexual-harassment-wrongful-termination\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Smith Sued for Sexual Harassment, Wrongful Termination"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Will Smith is facing legal trouble.<\/p>\n<p>The actor\/rapper has been sued by violinist Brian King Joseph, who is accusing the superstar and his company of sexual harassment and wrongful termination.<\/p>\n<p>In his official documents, Joseph names Smith and Treyball Studios Management as defendants and claims Smith is guilty of \u201cpredatory behavior\u201d and \u201cdeliberately grooming and priming Mr. Joseph for further sexual exploitation\u201d while on his Based on a True Story: 2025 Tour this past spring.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><\/noscript><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2154909652-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-544132 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2154909652-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2154909652-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2154909652-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2154909652-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2154909652-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2154909652-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2154909652-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2154909652-scaled.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Will Smith attends the European premiere of BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE at Zoo Palast on May 27, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. <span class=\"image-caption-credit\"> (Photo by Gerald Matzka\/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>According to the civil complaint, the America\u2019s Got Talent alum was invited in November 2024 to join Smith on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehollywoodgossip.com\/2025\/08\/will-smith-accused-of-using-ai-conjuring-up-fans-in-new-tour-video\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the controversial tour<\/a>, which kicked off its run in Las Vegas in March.<\/p>\n<p>As their relationship grew closer, Smith allegedly told Joseph that \u201cyou and I have such a special connection, that I don\u2019t have with anyone else,\u201d among other similar remarks that caused Jones to question to rapper\u2019s intentions.<\/p>\n<p>Joseph also says he went to his Las Vegas hotel room one evening \u2014 which had been booked by Smith\u2019s company \u2014 to find some had \u201cunlawfully\u201d entered the room. <\/p>\n<p>Once inside, he supposedly discovered wipes, a beer bottle, a bottle of HIV medication with another individual\u2019s name, and hospital discharge paperwork belonging to another person.<\/p>\n<p>Joseph interpreted this as a warning that \u201can unknown individual would soon return to his room to engage in sexual acts\u201d with him.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-1024x1000.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-522369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-1024x1000.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-300x293.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-768x750.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-2048x1999.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-960x937.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-1080x1054.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-1200x1172.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-1024x1000.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-522369 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-1024x1000.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-300x293.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-768x750.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-2048x1999.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-960x937.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-1080x1054.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049-1200x1172.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2155539049.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Will Smith poses during a photoshoot for the movie \u2018Bad Boys: Ride or Die\u2019 at Angel de la Independencia on May 31, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico. <span class=\"image-caption-credit\"> (Photo by Hector Vivas\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Smith, of course, has been out of the spotlight for a couple years now\u2026 ever since he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehollywoodgossip.com\/2022\/07\/will-smith-speaks-about-oscar-slap-for-first-time-chris-rock-wont-talk-to-me\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">slapped Chris Rock on stage<\/a> at the Academy Awards in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>We still can\u2019t believe that happened.<\/p>\n<p>Back to the lawsuit, however:<\/p>\n<p>Jones says his employment was terminated days after the aforementioned incident, with Joseph stating that he was told by management that they were \u201cmoving in a different direction.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>He alleged, though, that he was quickly replaced by <em>another<\/em> violinist in the same position.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-697x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Will Smith arrives at the Premiere Of Netflix's &quot;Bright&quot; at Regency Village Theatre on December 13, 2017 in Westwood, California.\" class=\"wp-image-518630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-697x1024.jpg 697w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-204x300.jpg 204w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-768x1128.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-1394x2048.jpg 1394w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-653x960.jpg 653w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-735x1080.jpg 735w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-817x1200.jpg 817w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-scaled.jpg 1742w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-697x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Will Smith arrives at the Premiere Of Netflix's &quot;Bright&quot; at Regency Village Theatre on December 13, 2017 in Westwood, California.\" class=\"wp-image-518630 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-697x1024.jpg 697w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-204x300.jpg 204w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-768x1128.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-1394x2048.jpg 1394w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-653x960.jpg 653w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-735x1080.jpg 735w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-817x1200.jpg 817w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-scaled.jpg 1742w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GettyImages-892127070-1-scaled.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Will Smith arrives at the Premiere Of Netflix\u2019s \u201cBright\u201d at Regency Village Theatre on December 13, 2017 in Westwood, California. <span class=\"image-caption-credit\"> (Photo by Frazer Harrison\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Per the legal documents, Joseph further alleges that Smith was \u201cgrooming and priming\u201d him \u201cfor further sexual exploitation\u201d since their first meeting in November 2024.<\/p>\n<p>The lawsuit claims that, due to the firing, Joseph suffered from PTSD and economic loss. <\/p>\n<p>He is suing for retaliation, wrongful termination and sexual harassment, and that damages be determined by a jury.<\/p>\n<p>Smith, who believes he\u2019s been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehollywoodgossip.com\/2025\/03\/will-smith-ive-been-canceled-because-im-black\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">canceled due to his skin color,<\/a> has not yet commented on this lawsuitl<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehollywoodgossip.com\/2026\/01\/will-smith-sued-by-musician-for-sexual-harassment-wrongful-termination\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reading Time: 3 minutes Will Smith is facing legal trouble. The actor\/rapper has been sued by violinist Brian King Joseph, who is accusing the superstar and his company of sexual harassment and wrongful termination. In his official documents, Joseph names Smith and Treyball Studios Management as defendants and claims Smith is guilty of \u201cpredatory behavior\u201d [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":214336,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-214335","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-hollywood"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=214335"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214335\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/214336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=214335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=214335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=214335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}