A California court has dismissed a lawsuit accusing actor Will Smith of sexual harassment and wrongful termination.
The case was brought by electric violinist Brian King Joseph, who worked with Smith during his 2025 “Based on a True Story” tour.
Joseph alleged that during a stop in Las Vegas, someone entered his hotel room without forced entry and left behind personal items, including HIV medication, wipes, and a handwritten note signed “Stone F” that read: “Brian, I’ll be back… just us.”
He claimed the incident created a hostile work environment and that he was later fired in retaliation for reporting it.
Smith strongly denied the allegations, calling them “false, baseless, and reckless.”
In a ruling on May 5, 2026, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Shultz said the allegations “fail to adequately allege conduct that is sufficiently severe or pervasive” to qualify as sexual harassment under California law.
The judge also dismissed the wrongful termination claim, citing inconsistencies and gaps in evidence, noting that Joseph had left his hotel key in a shared van accessible to multiple crew members.
Joseph has been granted 30 days to amend and refile the complaint with additional evidence. If no revised filing is submitted, the dismissal will become final.
Brian King Joseph, 32, is an electric violinist who gained recognition as a finalist on America’s Got Talent season 13 and has performed with artists including Snoop Dogg and Usher.