Jada Pinkett Smith Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Threats and Smear Campaign
Jada Pinkett Smith is currently facing a legal battle with Bilaal Salaam, a former associate of her husband, Will Smith. The lawsuit, which seeks $3 million in damages, alleges that Pinkett Smith threatened Salaam during a private event in 2021.
The Incident at the Birthday Celebration
According to the complaint filed by Salaam, the alleged confrontation took place in the lobby of the Regency Calabasas Commons on September 25, 2021. At the time, the location was hosting a private birthday celebration for Will Smith. Salaam claims that Pinkett Smith confronted him while accompanied by approximately seven members of her entourage.
The suit states that Pinkett Smith became verbally aggressive, threatening Salaam with dire consequences if he continued to “tell her personal business.” Specifically, she allegedly said that he would “end up missing” or “catch a bullet.” She also reportedly demanded that he sign a nondisclosure agreement or face repercussions.
After the confrontation, Salaam claims that Pinkett Smith’s team followed him to his car while continuing to issue verbal threats. This incident marked the beginning of what Salaam describes as a retaliatory campaign against him.
Refusal to Assist with Crisis Management
Six months later, in late March 2022, Salaam refused a request from a mutual friend to assist with “crisis management” following the Academy Awards. During the ceremony, Will Smith famously slapped comedian Chris Rock over a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia. The incident sparked widespread media coverage and public discussion about the couple’s relationship.
Salaam alleges that he declined the request because he believed it involved illegal, unethical, or morally compromising actions. He stated that his conscience would not allow him to be part of any cover-up or deceptive PR campaign.
Following his refusal, Salaam claims he began receiving threats from both Will Smith and Pinkett Smith’s circle. He further alleges that a “retaliatory campaign” was launched against him. The situation escalated after it was discovered that he was writing a “whistleblower memoir” about his time with the Smiths. The smear campaign intensified after a viral interview he gave, according to the filing.
Accusations of Sexual Misconduct
In a 2023 sit-down with Unwine With Tasha K, Salaam claimed that he walked in on Will Smith engaging in a sexual act with actor Duane Martin. The lawsuit alleges that rather than pursuing legal recourse or reporting actual crimes, Pinkett Smith intentionally and maliciously engaged in a smear campaign through nationally broadcast interviews.
When asked about the claim on The Breakfast Club, Pinkett Smith dismissed it as “ridiculous” and “nonsense.” She told host Charlamagne tha God, “It’s ridiculous, right? And it’s nonsense.”
Legal Claims and Damages
Salaam is suing for intentional infliction of emotional distress, alleging that Pinkett Smith made statements suggesting that he was trying to “shake down” her and Will Smith. In his complaint, he also criticized Pinkett Smith’s statement to TMZ, in which she claimed the couple would pursue legal action in response to his allegations.
However, Salaam claims that no lawsuit was ever filed. He argues that the statement was false, reckless, and made with malicious intent to manipulate public opinion and damage his character.
The lawsuit further claims that due to Pinkett Smith’s alleged actions—including attempts by the actress and “her emissaries” to “bribe, intimidate, and suppress” him—Salaam has suffered financial loss, reputational harm, emotional distress, physical health issues, and the complete derailment of his personal life and career.
Salaam is seeking $3 million in financial damages as compensation for these alleged harms.
Representatives for Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, and Duane Martin have not yet responded to requests for comment.
