Actor Will Smith has been sued by professional violinist Brian King Joseph, who claims Smith engaged in sexual grooming and harassment during their time together on a 2025 tour.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles just before the new year, alleges that Smith “deliberately groomed and primed” Joseph for further sexual exploitation. Court documents state that after meeting in November 2024, Joseph claims they began spending additional time alone. Smith allegedly told him, “You and I have such a special connection, that I don’t have with anyone else,” and other similar expressions indicating closeness.

Joseph states that Smith hired him for the first leg of the tour in Las Vegas in March 2025. During this time, he was provided a hotel room booked by Smith’s team. Documents reveal Joseph discovered personal items including wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, HIV medication with another person’s name, an earring, and hospital discharge paperwork belonging to someone unknown.

The complaint further alleges that after reporting the incident to hotel staff and authorities, Joseph was terminated from the tour by Smith’s management team. He claims “severe emotional distress, economic loss, reputational harm, and other damages,” including PTSD. Joseph, a top-three finalist on America’s Got Talent season 13 in 2018, stated he performed with Smith on December 31, 2024.