Will Smith has been drawn into a legal dispute involving his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and her former associate, Bilaal Salaam. Salaam alleges that the couple subjected him to threats and intimidation after he considered publicly discussing his experiences with the Smith family. The latest claims include an alleged death threat from Pinkett Smith and a response from Smith that Salaam interpreted as support for his wife's warning.
The lawsuit against Pinkett Smith seeks $3 million (£2.23 million) in damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Will Smith is not named as a defendant in the existing lawsuit.
Will Smith Accused of Backing Jada's Alleged Threat
In the complaint, Salaam alleged that the exchange took place on or around 5 October 2021, during a telephone conversation involving himself, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and the actor's friend Charlie Mack. Salaam claimed that Pinkett Smith threatened to have him killed if he continued pursuing plans to publish a memoir about his experiences with the family or discussing their private affairs in interviews.
He further alleged that he subsequently asked Smith whether he had heard what his wife had said. According to Salaam's account, the actor responded: 'You heard what my wife said.' The musician claims he interpreted the response as support for his wife's alleged threat. He also said he told the couple and Mack not to contact him again following the conversation.
Jada Pinkett Smith Faces Threat Allegations
The latest allegations follow an alleged confrontation between Salaam and Pinkett Smith at a private birthday celebration for Will Smith in September 2021. According to the complaint, Salaam attended the invitation-only event, which took place in the Calabasas area to celebrate the actor's birthday.
He claimed Pinkett Smith approached him with several members of her entourage and pointed her finger close to his face. Salaam alleged that she warned him he would 'end up missing' or 'catch a bullet or a beatdown' if he continued discussing her personal affairs.
He also claimed Pinkett Smith demanded that he sign a non-disclosure agreement, allegedly warning him of consequences if he refused. In his filing, Salaam said he regarded the alleged statements as a genuine threat to his safety, citing the actress's financial resources and network of associates. Pinkett Smith has denied the accusations.
Dispute Also References 2022 Oscars Incident
Salaam's complaint also addresses events surrounding the 2022 Academy Awards, when Will Smith struck comedian Chris Rock during the live ceremony on 27 March. The incident followed a joke Rock made about Pinkett Smith's shaved head, referencing the 1997 film G.I. Jane. Pinkett Smith has previously disclosed that she has alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss.
Smith returned to his seat after striking Rock and shouted, 'Keep my wife's name out of your f***ing mouth!' He later apologised for his actions, resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and received a 10-year ban from attending the Oscars.
Salaam also alleged that Duane Martin contacted him in March 2022, following the Academy Awards incident, on behalf of Pinkett Smith. He claimed Martin asked him to join an 'all hands on deck' public relations effort to address the backlash surrounding the incident.
Salaam said he declined because he believed the proposed campaign would be deceptive. He further alleged that Martin warned him he would face 'serious problems' if he refused to cooperate.
Bilaal Salaam's Legal Dispute With the Smith Family
Salaam's legal dispute with Pinkett Smith stems from allegations about his longstanding association with the Smith family. He previously claimed he had known Will Smith for about 40 years and cited their relationship in accounts of his experiences with the couple.
In November 2025, Salaam filed a legal complaint against Pinkett Smith, seeking $3 million in damages for alleged emotional distress. The complaint included claims of threats and intimidation, which Pinkett Smith has denied.
Pinkett Smith's legal team subsequently challenged the lawsuit under California's anti-SLAPP law, which allows defendants to contest legal claims they believe target protected speech. A judge dismissed portions of Salaam's complaint, while other allegations remained subject to the legal proceedings.
In October 2026, the two sides reached an agreement allowing Salaam to seek permission to file a second amended complaint. The proposed filing did not introduce any new defendants.
Pinkett Smith has previously rejected Salaam's allegations, describing his claims as a 'money shakedown'. The allegations remain disputed and have not been established in court.
