Brian King Joseph has sued Will Smith and Treyball Studios Management, alleging ‘predatory behaviour’ during the rapper’s 2025 tour
The violinist who performed on Will Smith’s tour is suing the rapper of sexual harassment and wrongful termination.
Brian King Joseph, 33, filed a lawsuit in a Los Angeles court on 30 December 2025, accusing Smith, 57, and his company, Treyball Studios Management, of ‘predatory behaviour’ while he was on Smith’s Based on a True Story tour last year.
Joseph first met Smith in November 2024, when Smith hired him to perform in a show in San Diego. According to The Daily Beast, Joseph claims Smith was ‘grooming and priming’ him for sexual exploitation following their initial meeting.
Joseph, who was a prizewinner in America’s Got Talent in 2018, detailed in his lawsuit that Smith began spending additional time alone with him, claiming ‘You and I have such a special connection that I don’t have with anyone else.’
Joseph was invited to perform on Smith’s Based on a True Story tour throughout 2025, as well as play on his upcoming album.
During the tour in March 2025, Joseph returned to his Las Vegas hotel room to find that someone had entered his suite. A note left in his room read: ’Brian, I’ll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F,’ which he believed meant ’an unknown individual would soon return to his room to engage in sexual acts’ with him.
The violinist said that Smith’s management team were the only individuals with access to his room, and that his bag and room key were lost for several hours before the team returned it to him.
Joseph reported the incident to hotel security and Smith’s management, who allegedly blamed and ’shamed’ him for what happened. Joseph was fired from the tour after the incident, with management stating the tour ’was moving in a different direction’, despite another violinist replacing his role on the tour.
Joseph is suing Smith and his management company for retaliation, wrongful termination and sexual harassment. His lawsuit claims that he suffered from PTSD and loss of income following his termination.
Smith’s lawyer has denied the claims, stating: ’Mr Joseph’s allegations concerning my client are false, baseless, and reckless. 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.’
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