Bilaal Salaam, also known as Brother Bilaal, is suing Jada Pinkett Smith for $3 million. Salaam, who claims to have been a “best friend” of Will Smith’s for nearly 40 years and “worked closely” with the actor on various projects—even being featured in Smith’s memoir, Will—alleges that Pinkett Smith physically threatened him in 2021.
According to a complaint filed by Salaam and obtained by People on December 1, Jada Pinkett Smith allegedly confronted him on September 25, 2021, while he was in the lobby of the Regency Calabasas Commons for Will Smith’s private birthday celebration.
The lawsuit claims that Pinkett Smith was accompanied by “approximately seven members of her entourage.”
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Salaam’s complaint further alleges that Pinkett Smith “became verbally aggressive, and threatened Plaintiff,” stating that he would “end up missing or catch a bullet” if he continued “telling her personal business.”
According to the complaint, Pinkett Smith also “demanded” Salaam sign a nondisclosure agreement, threatening “or else.” Following this alleged incident, Salaam claims Pinkett Smith’s team pursued him to his car, “continuing to issue verbal threats.”
Six months after the alleged incident, in late March 2022, Salaam declined a mutual friend’s request to help with “crisis management” after the Academy Awards. This request followed Will Smith slapping Chris Rock for making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, which is related to her publicly disclosed alopecia.
“Plaintiff refused to perform tasks he believed were illegal, unethical, or morally compromising, stating his conscience would not allow him to be involved in any cover-up or deceptive PR campaign,” Salaam’s filing alleges.
The Smiths allegedly launched a “retaliatory campaign” and began issuing threats against Salaam after he declined their request. Salaam claims the “smear campaign” intensified following the viral success of an interview he gave and after they discovered he was working on a “whistleblower memoir” detailing his experiences with the couple.
Salaam claimed during a 2023 interview on Unwine With Tasha K that he once discovered Smith participating in a sexual act with actor Duane Martin.
“Rather than pursue legal recourse or report actual crimes, Defendant intentionally and maliciously engaged in a smear campaign through nationally broadcast interviews,” Salaam’s lawsuit alleged.
Appearing on The Breakfast Club, Pinkett Smith laughed off the claim shortly after. ““Let me just say this,” she told host Charlamagne tha God. “It’s ridiculous, right? And it’s nonsense.”
Salaam is suing for emotional distress because of comments Pinkett Smith made in an interview. She allegedly claimed Salaam was trying to “shake down” her and Smith.
The lawsuit also mentions Pinkett Smith telling TMZ that she and Smith planned to sue Salaam over his allegations.
“Defendant never filed a lawsuit,” Salaam alleges. “The statement was false, reckless, and made with malicious intent to manipulate public opinion and damage Plaintiff’s character.”
Salaam is seeking $3 million in financial damages, asserting that Pinkett Smith’s alleged actions—including reported attempts by the actress and “her emissaries” to “bribe, intimidate and suppress” him—have caused him significant harm.
This harm reportedly includes financial loss, reputational damage, emotional distress, physical health issues, and “the complete derailment of his personal life and career.”
Salaam, who made a cameo in Will Smith’s 2000 film The Legend of Bagger Vance, spoke to the Daily Mail after filing the complaint. He stated he is “seeking justice for the atrocities committed against me by Will and Jada.”
Although the three counts in the complaint currently target Will Smith’s wife, Jada, Salaam clarified his intention to file against his former best friend, 57-year-old Will Smith, as well.
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