Jada Pinkett Smith Threatened Will Smith’s Friend, Lawsuit Alleges Smear Campaign
Jada Pinkett Smith, the co-host of Red Table Talk, is currently embroiled in a legal dispute. She faces a lawsuit filed by her former associate, Bilaal Salaam, known publicly as Brother Bilaal. The lawsuit, totaling $3 million, stems from alleged threats made by Jada in September 2021.
Details of the Lawsuit
The complaint states that Bilaal experienced various forms of distress due to Jada’s actions. He claims these included financial loss, reputational damage, emotional turmoil, and health issues. According to Bilaal, his personal life and career were severely impacted as a result of a smear campaign purportedly launched by Jada and her husband, Will Smith.
An Alleged Confrontation
- Bilaal describes himself as a close friend of Will Smith for nearly 40 years.
- The confrontation allegedly took place at the Regency Calabasas Commons during a private birthday party for Will.
- Jada reportedly approached Bilaal with approximately seven members of her entourage, growing verbally aggressive.
- She is said to have threatened him with harm if he continued “telling her personal business.”
- Moreover, Jada demanded that Bilaal sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
Following the confrontation, Bilaal claims he was followed to his car by members of Jada’s team, who continued to issue threats. The situation escalated after the incident at the 2022 Oscars, where Will slapped Chris Rock. Bilaal refused to assist in crisis management, believing the tasks were illegal or unethical.
Retaliation and Further Claims
Bilaal contends that after he declined to participate in what he deemed unethical actions, he became the target of a retaliatory campaign from Jada and Will’s circle. His decision to write a memoir about his experiences with the couple further prompted threats against him. His claims gained traction after a viral interview where he alleged he saw Will with another man, Duane Martin.
Response from Jada and Will
In public statements, Jada and Will labeled Bilaal’s actions as an attempt at financial extortion. They claimed he was seeking a “money shakedown” during an appearance on The Breakfast Club in 2023. Jada also mentioned to TMZ her intentions to pursue legal action against Bilaal. The lawsuit asserts that the couple’s statements were false and maliciously intended to tarnish his reputation.
Bilaal is suing Jada Pinkett Smith for intentional infliction of emotional distress, marking a significant chapter in this ongoing legal saga. The case has drawn considerable media attention, reflecting the complexities of personal relationships in the public eye.
