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.

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.

Khloé Kardashian has directly addressed renewed speculation surrounding her relationship with Tristan Thompson, making it clear that there is no romantic reconciliation underway. The rumours resurfaced after fans noticed Thompson’s inclusion in the Kardashian-Jenner family’s annual holiday gingerbread display, a detail first highlighted by entertainment outlets including Page Six and E! News. His name appeared alongside those of current partners and close family members, a placement that quickly prompted assumptions across social media.

Khloé Kardashian – Instagram

Kardashian shut down the narrative herself. In a recent reply to a fan comment on Instagram, she stated that Thompson is “my children’s father and forever a part of our family,” adding that her choices are guided by what is best for her children. The response was brief and direct, leaving little room for interpretation.
Reports from Page Six and E! News confirm that Kardashian and Thompson are not romantically involved and have not resumed their relationship. Instead, they remain in contact solely to co-parent their daughter True and their son Tatum. Sources close to the situation describe the arrangement as practical and clearly defined, rather than emotional or transitional. While their interactions are visible, they are centred on shared responsibility rather than reconciliation.

Tristan Thompson – Instagram

Speculation has followed the pair for years, largely because their relationship unfolded so publicly. They began dating in 2016, and their time together was marked by repeated break-ups and reconciliations, alongside multiple cheating scandals, before their final split in 2021. Because much of that history played out on reality television and social media, even neutral interactions between them continue to draw public speculation. Family gatherings, holiday traditions and public gestures of support are often interpreted as signs of something more, despite repeated clarifications.
Kardashian has consistently framed her approach around stability and boundaries. She has repeatedly stated that Thompson is included in family moments when it benefits their children, while maintaining firm limits on their personal relationship. She has also made clear that co-parenting does not signal a willingness to revisit their past as a couple.

Khloé Kardashian – Instagram

Her latest response reflects a more direct approach to addressing rumours. Rather than allowing speculation to gather momentum, she chose to respond plainly. The message was not defensive, nor was it designed to provoke discussion. It simply established where things stand.
For now, Kardashian’s position is unambiguous. Tristan Thompson remains part of her family structure as a co-parent, not as a partner. Any interpretation beyond that, she has indicated, is in