Brian King Joseph, the professional violinist who has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Will Smith, publicly hinted at the allegations days before taking legal action.
Joseph filed a complaint on Tuesday, Dec. 30, in Los Angeles Superior Court against Smith, 57, and Treyball Studios Management, Inc., alleging sexual harassment, wrongful termination and retaliation connected to Smith’s global Based on a True Story tour in March 2025. The filing claims Smith “deliberately groomed and primed” Joseph for further sexual exploitation.
On Dec. 25, Joseph shared a video on Instagram referencing his experience without naming Smith. In the clip, Joseph said he had been hired earlier this year to perform on a “major, major tour” with a high-profile figure in the industry, calling the opportunity a career milestone. He said the situation later took a troubling turn.
“I can’t get into the details because it’s already a legal issue,” Joseph said, adding that he felt compelled to speak out because being fired or threatened for reporting sexual misconduct or safety concerns “is not okay.”
In his lawsuit, Joseph alleges he discovered signs that someone entered his Las Vegas hotel room without forced entry, leaving behind items he described as evidence of a sexual threat.
After reporting the incident to hotel staff, police, and tour management, Joseph claims he was shamed and terminated, with another violinist hired to replace him.
An attorney for Smith denied the allegations, calling them false and baseless, and said the actor will vigorously defend himself.