Jada Pinkett Smith has once again landed in the headlines — and not for reasons related to her work in film or television.

The 53-year-old actress and talk show host is now the subject of a $3 million lawsuit filed by Bilaal Salaam, a longtime acquaintance and former business associate of Will Smith.

The accusations are severe, involving claims of verbal aggression, intimidation, threats, and a subsequent campaign of public defamation.

The lawsuit, filed on November 7, immediately reignited public scrutiny around the Smith family, who have been in and out of controversy since the infamous Oscars incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock.

Pinkett Smith, for her part, has not publicly responded to the new allegations, but the situation is already generating significant attention across the entertainment world.

Below is a full breakdown of what the lawsuit alleges, how it connects to previous scandals, and the broader implications for Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith.

A Confrontation in a Movie Theater Lobby Sparks the Lawsuit

According to legal documents obtained by Us Weekly, the lawsuit stems from an incident in September 2021, months before the Oscars slap that sent shockwaves through Hollywood.

Salaam alleges that he was attending Will Smith’s private birthday celebration at the Regency Calabasas Commons theater when Pinkett Smith approached him accompanied by “approximately seven members of her entourage.”

The complaint states that Pinkett Smith confronted him in the theater lobby, launching into what Salaam describes as aggressive and verbally abusive behavior.

During the confrontation, Salaam claims Pinkett Smith accused him of sharing private information about the Smith family and attempted to intimidate him into silence.

According to Salaam, the actress allegedly told him:

He would “end up missing or get a bullet” if he didn’t stop “telling her personal business.”

He also asserts that Pinkett Smith demanded he sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) immediately — a request that he refused.

Following the initial altercation, the lawsuit claims one of Pinkett Smith’s close associates followed Salaam to his car, continuing to verbally attack him until he was able to leave the premises.

Salaam asserts that the encounter left him feeling threatened, humiliated, and fearful for his safety.

Attempts at “Crisis Management” After the Oscars Slap

The timeline of events in the lawsuit becomes even more complex once the 2022 Oscars incident enters the picture.

Six months after the alleged confrontation at the theater, Salaam says actor Duane Martin contacted him on behalf of the Smiths.

The purpose of the call, according to the lawsuit, was to seek Salaam’s help with “crisis management” in the aftermath of Will Smith slapping comedian Chris Rock live on camera.

Salaam states he was asked to assist with damage control, but he declined for moral and legal reasons.

The lawsuit notes that Salaam refused to take part in any actions he considered:

Illegal

Unethical

Morally questionable

Or intended to mislead the public

Salaam claims he explicitly told Martin he would not participate in any “cover-up” or “deceptive public relations campaign.”

Shortly afterward, Martin allegedly warned him that he would face “serious problems” if he did not cooperate with the Smiths’ crisis team.

According to the filing, this refusal is what triggered what Salaam describes as a “campaign of retaliation.”

Claims of Retaliation and Public Defamation

The legal complaint accuses Pinkett Smith of orchestrating — or at least participating in — a broader effort to discredit Salaam following his refusal to support their crisis management strategy.

Salaam alleges that Pinkett Smith intentionally and maliciously tied his name to damaging rumors during several national interviews, manipulating public opinion against him.

One interview highlighted in the lawsuit is her October 2023 conversation on The Breakfast Club, where Pinkett Smith addressed the long-circulating rumor that her husband Will Smith had been romantically involved with actor Duane Martin.

During the discussion, Pinkett Smith said the rumor came from a former associate who had attempted to forcibly insert himself into the couple’s private affairs.

Salaam claims Pinkett Smith was referring to him, despite not naming him outright.

During the interview, Pinkett Smith said this unnamed individual had:

Created false rumors about Will Smith

Attempted to extort money from the Smiths

Tried to spread stories for personal gain

Salaam strongly denies all of these accusations.

According to his lawsuit, Pinkett Smith’s statements were “false, defamatory, and intended to destroy his reputation,” claiming that she weaponized her public platform to portray him as untrustworthy, malicious, and opportunistic.

The lawsuit states that these interviews amounted to a national smear campaign, worsening the damage to Salaam’s name and business relationships.

Damages Sought: $3 Million and a Public Apology

Bilaal Salaam is seeking a total of $3 million in damages, citing emotional distress, reputational harm, and the alleged threats made against him.

Additionally, Salaam is demanding a public apology from Pinkett Smith, stating that only a formal acknowledgment of wrongdoing can undo the harm caused by her “manipulative and hostile actions.”

How This Case Ties Back to Broader Controversies

This lawsuit arrives at an already complicated moment in the Smith family’s public narrative. Jada Pinkett Smith has spent the last several years addressing — sometimes publicly, sometimes controversially — topics surrounding her marriage, her personal life, and her role in high-profile Hollywood conflicts.

From:

The entanglement scandal

The layered revelations about her relationship with Will Smith

The public discussions about their unconventional marriage

Her post-slap interviews and commentary

Pinkett Smith has experienced intense media scrutiny. The new lawsuit intensifies this spotlight.

Moreover, the accusations of threats, intimidation, and manipulation could further affect public perception — especially given Pinkett Smith’s public image as a mental health advocate and host of Red Table Talk, a show built on themes of emotional transparency and healing.

Will Smith’s Involvement and Possible Consequences

Although Will Smith is not a defendant in the lawsuit, his name appears throughout the filing as the central connection between the parties.

Salaam’s past role as an associate and friend of Smith raises the possibility that more details about the actor’s private life — and his alleged crisis team’s actions — could surface during legal proceedings.

Additionally, the mention of Duane Martin, who has long been intertwined in celebrity rumors involving the Smiths, suggests this lawsuit could reopen older scandals and stories the couple may have preferred remained buried.

Depending on how the case unfolds, both Smiths may be compelled to testify or provide documents related to the allegations.

Silence From Jada Pinkett Smith — For Now

At the time of writing, Jada Pinkett Smith has made no public statement regarding the lawsuit.

Representatives for the actress have also remained silent, and no official comment has been released by her legal team.

Given the seriousness of the allegations — specifically the claims of threats, aggressive behavior, and deliberate defamation — industry observers expect Pinkett Smith to eventually issue a response.

Whether that comes through a legal filing, a publicist’s statement, or an appearance on a major talk show remains to be seen.

What’s Next?

The lawsuit marks the beginning of what could become a highly publicized legal battle. If the case proceeds to discovery or trial, previously private conversations, communications, and relationships could be pulled into the open.

For now, the situation leaves several questions:

Will Pinkett Smith deny the allegations outright?

Will she attempt to settle privately?

Will Will Smith be dragged deeper into the legal conflict?

And will Salaam’s claims withstand scrutiny in court?

One thing is clear: the legal and public relations fallout is just beginning.