Jada Pinkett Smith is facing a lawsuit from a former colleague who claims she physically threatened him in 2021.
In a $3 million lawsuit filed on November 7 and obtained by Us Weekly, Bilaal Salaam (a.k.a. Brother Bilaal) alleged that Pinkett Smith, 54, confronted him in the lobby of Regency Calabasas Commons movie theater in September 2021 while he was 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.” She then allegedly threatened that Salaam would “end up missing or catch a bullet” if he did not stop “telling her personal business.” Salaam further claimed that Pinkett Smith demanded he sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) “or else.”
Salaam went on to allege that one of Pinkett Smith’s associates followed him to his car while “continuing to issue verbal threats.”
Six months later, actor Duane Martin allegedly called Salaam and told him that Smith, 57, and his wife “urgently needed” his assistance with “crisis management” after the 2022 Academy Awards where Smith slapped Chris Rock.
Salaam claimed that he “refused to perform tasks he believed were illegal, unethical or morally compromising,” saying that “his conscience would not allow him to be involved in any cover-up or deceptive PR campaign.”
Martin, 60, allegedly told Salaam that “he would face ‘serious problems’ with Defendant Jada Pinkett Smith for refusing to help.”
After Salaam refused to help, the Smiths allegedly launched “a retaliatory campaign” against him, which included “threats from individuals closely associated with Will and Jada.” He claimed these threats “escalated” after it became known that he planned to write a “whistleblower memoir” about his time working with the couple.
Salaam claimed Pinkett Smith then “intentionally and maliciously engaged in a smear campaign through nationally broadcast interviews.”
The interviews in question include a November 2023 appearance on The Breakfast Club where Pinkett Smith addressed Salaam’s claim that he walked in on Smith having sex with Martin.
“Let me just say this,” Pinkett Smith said at the time. “It’s ridiculous, right? And it’s nonsense.”
In the same interview, Pinkett Smith did not name Salaam but claimed the source of the sex rumor had attempted a “money shakedown” of her and her husband.
Salaam also cited a 2023 statement to TMZ where Pinkett Smith said she and Smith were “suing” over the claim that Smith was intimate with Martin.
“Defendant never filed a lawsuit,” reads Salaam’s court filing. “The statement was false, reckless and made with malicious intent to manipulate public opinion and damage Plaintiff’s character.”
Salaam is suing for intentional infliction of emotional distress and seeking $3 million in damages plus a “public retraction” of statements Pinkett Smith allegedly made about him.
In the suit, Salaam describes himself as Smith’s “best friend” for “nearly 40 years,” noting that he worked “closely with him on numerous professional projects.” Salaam claims that his relationship with Smith is confirmed by Smith’s 2021 memoir, Will, which includes a photo of him.
While working with Smith, Salaam said he “developed extensive personal and professional familiarity” with Pinkett Smith, who has been married to the Oscar winner since 1997.
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