Jada Pinkett Smith is facing a lawsuit from a former colleague who claims he physically threatened him in 2021.
In a $3 million lawsuit filed Nov. 7 and obtained by Us Weekly, Hi Bilal (aka Brother Bilaal) alleged that Pinkett Smith, 54, confronted him in the lobby of the Regency Calabasas Commons movie theater in September 2021 while attending a private birthday party for Will Smith.
According to Salaam’s filing, Pinkett Smith approached him with “approximately seven members of her entourage” and became “verbally aggressive.” He then allegedly threatened that Salaam would “end up losing or take a bullet” if he didn’t stop “telling her his personal business.” Salaam further claimed that Pinkett Smith demanded that he sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) “or else.”
Salaam alleged that one of Pinkett Smith’s associates followed him to his car as he “continued to issue verbal threats.”
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s 20+ year marriage has outlasted many Hollywood relationships, but it’s far from perfect. Thank you! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive Us Weekly Deal emails (…)
Six months later, actor Duane Martin allegedly called Salaam and was told that Smith, 57, and his wife “urgently needed” his assistance with “crisis management” after the 2022 Academy Awards, where Smith slapped Chris Rock.
Salaam stated that he “refused to perform tasks that he believed to be illegal, unethical or morally compromised”, and said that “his conscience would not allow him to engage in any cover-up or misleading public relations campaign”.
Martin, 60, told Salaam that he would “face ‘serious trouble’ with defendant Jada Pinkett Smith for refusing to help.”
After Salaam refused to help, the Smiths allegedly launched “a campaign of retaliation” against him, which included “threats from individuals closely associated with Will and Jada.” He claimed those threats “escalated” after it emerged he planned to write a “whistleblower’s memoir” about his time working with the couple.
The current state of Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith’s relationship has fans scratching their heads. While promoting her new memoir, Worthy, Pinkett Smith, 52, dropped the bombshell that she and Smith, 55, had been secretly separated since 2016, six years before Smith infamously slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars. Pinkett Smith is now clarifying that she (…)
Salaam claimed that Pinkett Smith “intentionally and maliciously engaged in a smear campaign through nationally broadcast interviews.”
The interviews in question include an appearance in November 2023 The Breakfast Club where Pinkett Smith addressed Salaam’s claim that he walked in on Smith having sex with Martin.
“Let me say this,” Pinkett Smith said at the time. “It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? And it’s nonsense.”
In the same interview, Pinkett Smith did not name Salaam, but claimed that the source of the sex rumor had tried to “extort money” from her and her husband.
Salaam also cited a 2023 statement to TMZ in which Pinkett Smith said that she and Smith were “suing” over the claim that Smith was intimate with Martin.
“Defendant never filed suit,” Salaam’s court filing says. “The statement was false, reckless and made with malicious intent to manipulate public opinion and damage the plaintiff’s character.”
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Salaam is suing for intentional infliction of emotional distress and is seeking $3 million in damages plus a “public retraction” of statements Pinkett Smith allegedly made about him.
In the lawsuit, Salaam is described as Smith’s “best friend” for “nearly 40 years,” noting that he worked “closely with him on numerous professional projects.” Salaam claims his relationship with Smith is confirmed by Smith’s 2021 memoir, Willwhich includes a photo of him.
While working with Smith, Salaam said he “developed an extensive personal and professional familiarity” with Pinkett Smith, who has been married to the Oscar winner since 1997.