Did Brian King Joseph hint at his Will Smith lawsuit online? Musician posted video referencing alleged misconduct before legal filing

2025 Media Access Awards - Source: Getty
2025 Media Access Awards - Source: Getty

Brian King Joseph seemed to have hinted about the legal drama involving him and Will Smith in an Instagram video days before he filed a complaint in court. On Christmas Day last year, the professional violinist took to his official Instagram to address an incident that allegedly happened when he went on tour with somebody huge in the industry. He said in the video:

“Earlier this year I was hired to be a performer on a major major tour with somebody who was huge in the industry. So I was excited, you know, proud of myself for getting the opportunity. Unfortunately, some things happened.”

Brian King Joseph, who was also a contestant on America’s Got Talent, continued:

“I can't get too into the details of exactly what that was because it's already a legal issue right now, but the reason why I'm speaking out about this is because getting fired or getting blamed or shamed or threatened or anything like that simply for reporting sexual misconduct or safety threats at work is not okay.”

Adding:

“I know that there's a lot of other people out there who have been afraid to speak out, and I understand, and if that's you, I see you. And that's pretty much it. More updates to come soon. Thanks for listening.”

More details on Brian King Joseph’s lawsuit against Will Smith

Will Smith has been named a defendant in a sexual harassment lawsuit that also alleges wrongful termination and retaliation by violinist Brian King Joseph. The violinist filed the complaint against Smith and his company, Treyball Studios Management, Inc., at the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, on Tuesday, December 30 last year.

According to court filings, Brian King Joseph claimed that he was invited by Will Smith to be the violinist on his global tour, Based on a True Story: 2025, to groom him for sexual exploitation deliberately. Detailing an alleged incident that happened in March last year during his time on Smith’s tour, Brian King Joseph claimed that an unidentified person had entered his hotel room with no signs of forced entry and left evidence of ‘sexual threat of violence.’

The America’s Got Talent alum reported that the person had left strange items in his room, including a handwritten love note, a bottle of HIV medication, a hospital discharge paperwork, an earring, wipes, a beer bottle, and a red backpack. According to the filings, Brian immediately reported the incident to the hotel staff, a local non-emergency police line and Smith’s management team. Still, he was allegedly shamed by Smith’s management team and was subsequently terminated.

The professional violinist stated in his complaint that the incident caused him ‘severe emotional distress, economic loss, reputational harm, and other damages,’ including ‘PTSD and other mental illness as a result of the termination.’

Allen B. Grodsky, who is representing Will Smith in this case, told PEOPLE exclusively that:

“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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Edited by Onuh Eunice