A violinist from Will Smith’s “Based on a True Story” tour says he was fired after reporting a disturbing hotel incident in Las Vegas.
A new lawsuit tied to Will Smith’s Based on a True Story tour is drawing attention to how the actor and rapper’s team handled a reported hotel incident involving a touring musician.
Brian King Joseph, a violinist who performed with Smith, filed the lawsuit this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court. He claims he was fired after reporting what he believed was a serious and alarming situation at a Las Vegas hotel during the tour.
A management company associated with Smith is also named in the suit.
According to the complaint, Joseph began working with Smith in December 2024 and later joined the tour supporting Smith’s album Based on a True Story. During that time, Joseph says the two spent time together and that Smith told him they shared a “special connection” that he did not have with others.
The situation escalated in March while the tour was in Las Vegas. Joseph claims he returned to his hotel room late at night and noticed signs that someone had entered the room while he was away. Hotel security allegedly told him there were no signs of forced entry and that only members of Smith’s management team had access to the room during that time.
Joseph says he found several items that did not belong to him, including wipes, a beer bottle, an earring, a red backpack, HIV medication with another person’s name, hospital discharge paperwork, and a handwritten note suggesting someone planned to return later.
The note reportedly included a heart drawing and a message indicating the person would be back by 5:30.
The lawsuit states that Joseph feared an unknown individual might return to his room to engage in sexual activity. Feeling unsafe, he reported the incident to hotel security, police, and representatives for Smith.
Instead of support, Joseph claims he was blamed for the situation. According to the suit, a representative for Smith accused him of lying and said others believed nothing had happened. Days later, Joseph says he was fired from the tour.
The complaint alleges that no real investigation was done into his safety concerns. It also claims that although he was told the tour was “moving in a different direction,” another violinist was hired shortly after his dismissal.
The lawsuit does not specify the amount of damages being sought. Representatives for Will Smith have declined to comment on the allegations.
