Will Smith could be added to Jada Pinkett Smith’s $3 million lawsuit with former friend
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Bilaal Salaam is seeking to add the actor as a co-defendant, alleging Smith participated in threats and intimidation.
Will Smith has been drawn into a $3 million legal battle between his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and their former friend Bilaal Salaam. Salaam is seeking to add Smith as a co-defendant, alleging that the actor participated in threats and a broader campaign of intimidation intended to prevent him from discussing his experiences with the couple or publishing a memoir.
Salaam filed a motion Aug. 18 seeking to add Smith as a co-defendant in his $3 million emotional distress lawsuit against Pinkett Smith, according to court documents cited by USA TODAY. A Los Angeles judge ordered the couple to respond to the request within 30 days of service. Salaam initially sued Pinkett Smith in November, accusing her of threatening him on multiple occasions. In the latest filing, he alleges that Smith was directly involved in at least one of those incidents.
Salaam claims Pinkett Smith told him during an October 2021 phone call that she would have him “killed” if he continued discussing her personal business or publishing his memoir. Salaam alleges Smith was present and responded, “you heard what my wife said,” which he argues amounted to the actor personally affirming the alleged threat. The lawsuit also refers to an alleged confrontation at Smith’s birthday party the previous month. Salaam claims Pinkett Smith and members of her entourage warned him that he could “end up missing or catch a bullet” if he continued talking about her personal affairs.
Another allegation concerns the aftermath of the 2022 Academy Awards, when Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock during the ceremony after Rock made a joke involving Pinkett Smith. Salaam says he was approached about helping with crisis management following the incident. After declining, he alleges that an individual with a longstanding professional relationship with Smith threatened to physically harm him.
Among the claims is an alleged attempt to persuade him to publicly retract his statements in exchange for payment. Salaam says he was also warned against publishing his memoir or giving further interviews. Pinkett Smith has previously denied Salaam’s accusations, describing his claims as an attempt to extort her. Her attorney has also argued that Smith was not previously a party to the litigation.