Will Smith has been sued in Los Angeles by violinist Brian King Joseph, who has accused the actor and musician of sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination linked to Smith’s 2025 Based on a True Story tour.

The lawsuit, filed on 30 December 2025 in the Superior Court of California, names Smith and his production company, Treyball Studios Management, Inc. Joseph, a classically trained violinist who gained wider attention after reaching the finals of America’s Got Talent, claims he began working with Smith in late 2024 following a joint performance in San Diego. He was later invited to join Smith’s international tour and to contribute musically to an upcoming album.

Brian King Joseph – Instagram

According to the court filing, the dispute centres on an incident that allegedly took place in March 2025 during a tour stop in Las Vegas. Joseph claims he returned to his hotel room, arranged and paid for by Smith’s management, and found signs that someone had entered the room without his permission. He states that there were no indications of forced entry.

Joseph alleges that inside the room he found several items that did not belong to him, including a handwritten note, a bottle of HIV medication prescribed to another individual, cleaning wipes, a beer bottle and hospital discharge papers bearing a different name. The note reportedly read, “Brian, I’ll be back no later 5:30, just us,” accompanied by a hand-drawn heart and the name “Stone F.”

Will Smith – Instagram

In the lawsuit, Joseph says he found the discovery distressing and alarming. He reported the matter to hotel security, contacted local police through a non-emergency line and informed members of Smith’s touring team. The complaint alleges that instead of receiving support, Joseph was accused of fabricating the incident and was subjected to verbal humiliation by a member of Smith’s management.

Joseph further claims that he was dismissed from the tour only days after raising the complaint. He alleges the termination was retaliatory and that another violinist was hired shortly afterwards to replace him. His legal team argues that the explanation given for his removal was a pretext and that his dismissal was directly connected to his decision to report the hotel incident.

Will Smith – Instagram

The lawsuit also refers to earlier interactions between Smith and Joseph which Joseph’s lawyers describe as inappropriate. One alleged comment attributed to Smith refers to a “special connection” between the two, which Joseph claims made him uncomfortable. In the filing, Joseph’s legal team argues that these interactions, taken together with the Las Vegas incident, point to a broader pattern of conduct rather than an isolated event.

Joseph is seeking unspecified damages for emotional distress, loss of income and long-term psychological harm, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The claims have not been tested in court, and no findings have been made.

Will Smith – Instagram

Smith has denied the allegations. His attorney, Allen B. Grodsky, has described the lawsuit as false, baseless and reckless, stating that Smith intends to defend himself vigorously and pursue all available legal remedies. Representatives for Smith have not issued further comment beyond rejecting the claims.

The case remains at an early stage and will proceed through the US court system, where the allegations and denials will be examined as part of the legal process.

Hailey Bieber began 2026 by sharing a personal reflection on her relationship with Justin Bieber, posting a photograph of the couple kissing alongside a short caption that read, “10 New Years together and counting.” The image, shared on Instagram Stories on January 1, was not a recent photo but one taken earlier in their relationship, offering a glimpse into a private moment from the past.

The wording of the post prompted discussion online. Rather than referencing their wedding anniversary, Hailey chose to highlight the number of New Year celebrations she and Justin have shared since first being linked publicly. The couple married in a civil ceremony in 2018 and held a larger celebration the following year, dates that have traditionally anchored public discussions about their relationship. By focusing instead on “New Years,” the post shifted attention away from anniversaries and toward the length of their relationship.

Photo Credit – Instagram

Photo Credit – Instagram

That photograph sparked mixed reactions online. Some fans welcomed the message as a personal way of marking time, while others questioned whether the count accurately reflected the couple’s early, on-and-off history. Before their engagement, Justin and Hailey experienced periods of separation that have been widely reported, making the “10 New Years” claim a point of debate among observers familiar with their timeline.

Photo Credit – Instagram

The discussion reflects the complexity of a relationship that has unfolded largely in public view. Justin and Hailey first met more than a decade ago, crossed paths repeatedly over the years, and eventually reconnected before committing to marriage. Their history does not follow a straight line, which is why any attempt to summarise it in a single number inevitably invites scrutiny.

Photo Credit – Instagram

In recent months, however, the focus around the Biebers has shifted. Since welcoming their son, Jack Blues, in 2024, the couple has shared fewer public appearances tied to promotion or performance, offering instead occasional glimpses of family life through social media. The New Year’s post fits within that quieter pattern: personal, brief, and unconcerned with public approval.

Whether intended as a precise accounting or simply a symbolic marker, Hailey’s message highlights how public figures often choose their own language to describe private relationships. In this case, a single sentence was enough to reopen long-running conversations about timelines, memory, and how much accuracy the public expects from moments that were never meant to be statements.

David Beckham’s decision to exclude his eldest son, Brooklyn Beckham, from a public recap of his 2025 highlights has drawn renewed attention to reports of distance within the family.
The Instagram post, shared at the end of the year, featured a selection of images marking significant moments, including family time and professional milestones linked to Beckham’s ongoing involvement in football. His wife, Victoria Beckham, and their younger children, Romeo, Cruz and Harper, appeared throughout the carousel. Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, did not.

Photo Credit – Instagram

The omission was quickly noted by readers and entertainment outlets in the UK and abroad, particularly given the Beckham family’s long-standing reputation for presenting a united public front. The caption accompanying the post expressed gratitude for the year and referenced family memories without directly naming any of his children.
Speculation around a rift between Brooklyn and other members of the family has circulated for several years. Media attention intensified following Brooklyn’s 2022 wedding, after coverage focused on Nicola Peltz’s decision not to wear a Victoria Beckham design. While no family member has publicly linked that moment to ongoing difficulties, it marked the point at which reports of tension became more persistent.

Photo Credit – Instagram

Subsequent developments have reinforced the perception of distance. Brooklyn has been absent from several major family occasions, including David Beckham’s 50th birthday celebrations and recent Christmas gatherings. Social-media interaction between Brooklyn and the rest of the family has also declined, with unfollows and blocks adding to speculation. Comments made publicly by his younger brother Cruz at one stage suggested that the separation was initiated by Brooklyn rather than the wider family.

Photo Credit – Instagram

In that context, the New Year post appeared deliberate. The inclusion of every immediate family member except Brooklyn made it difficult to interpret the omission as inadvertent. While the post avoided any direct reference to family tensions, its composition was widely read as reflective of the current state of the relationship.
Later the same day, Beckham shared older family photographs on his Instagram Stories, including images featuring Brooklyn from previous years. The accompanying message was brief and avoided addressing the earlier post. The gesture was noted, but it did little to alter the broader interpretation of events.

Photo Credit – Instagram

Reaction among UK readers was mixed. Some viewed the post as a personal reflection that did not require explanation. Others argued that excluding one child from such a public summary inevitably carried meaning, regardless of intent. Across coverage, however, there was broad agreement that the episode did not introduce a new dispute but confirmed an existing separation.
As 2026 begins, there has been no public indication of reconciliation or further escalation. What was intended as a routine year-end reflection instead drew renewed scrutiny to a family dynamic that has remained unresolved.