Now, Smith is getting sued by violinist and crew member Brian King Joseph. Joseph claims wrongful termination and sexual harassment that took place throughout the recent “Based On A True Story” Summer Tour. It was Smith’s July 18, 2025, performance at Festhalle Frankfurt in Germany that ignited the lawsuit. He was on tour supporting his debut album, “Based on a True Story,” which had dropped only a few months earlier, in March of 2025.
The tour’s first stop was Las Vegas earlier this month in March 2025. Today, it confronts explosive scandal as Joseph claims he informed that an unidentified penetrator entered his suite—while on the tour. He alleges that an unnamed person invaded his Las Vegas hotel room. This person abandoned a notebook, baby wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, and paperwork from a hospital discharge.
Joseph described the note as saying, “Brian, I’ll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F.” He stated concern that the person would go back to his apartment and plan on having sex. Once the shocking incident occurred, Joseph sprang into action and notified hotel management immediately. He called the local police department’s non-emergency line and alerted people close to Will Smith.
In his lawsuit, Joseph argues that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental illness. He claims this trauma is due to his firing after he reported the event. He claims that Smith even went so far as to groom him for continued abuse later, implying a systemic and predatory practice. Joseph requests compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, and other relief as determined by a jury.
The claim was hotly contested by Allen B. Grodsky, attorney for Will Smith. He added that the allegations filed by Joseph are “wrong, malicious, unfounded and irresponsible. Grodsky further explained that Joseph’s termination occurred after he alerted Smith’s team about the incident. Soon after, the group hired a different violinist to replace him on tour.
The allegations have sparked a conversation around the industry’s treatment of crew members and their wellbeing. As the lawsuit progresses, it will likely draw attention to issues of harassment and the responsibilities of artists toward their team members.
