Actor and rapper Will Smith is being sued for sexual harassment and retaliation after a musician who toured with him last year reported a case of sexual misconduct.

According to Variety, the suit, which was filed last Wednesday in Los Angeles, says violinist Brian King Joseph was part of Smith’s entourage and faced “predatory behaviour” from the rapper, who is further accused of “deliberately grooming and priming Mr Joseph for further sexual exploitation“.

As per the suit, Joseph was hired by Smith in November 2024 to perform at a show and later invited to join him on his upcoming tour. During his employment, the complainant alleges Smith told him, “you and I have such a special connection, that I don’t have with anyone else,” among other, similar expressions.

The violinist was part of the team performing on Smith‘s Based on a True Story Tour’s Las Vegas leg in March. According to NBC News, he was allegedly fired a few days later. Claiming the actions of Smith and his team made him suffer from post-traumatic stress and economic losses, Joseph has sued both the actor and his company, Treyball Studios Management, for sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination.