Hollywood is facing new shockwaves as Bilal Salaam, widely known as Will Smith’s close friend of 40 years, has filed a lawsuit against Jada Pinkett Smith, accusing her of threatening him with physical harm and coercion. The charges come four years after the alleged incident, but the legal action has reignited controversy surrounding the Smith family.
According to a report from Page Six on December 2 (local time), Salaam has filed a $3 million lawsuit against Jada, claiming that she has become hostile and threatening towards him. He claims Jada “raised her voice, became aggressive and warned that if [he] continued to reveal personal matters, [he] could end up missing or hit by a bullet.”
He also claims she pressured him into signing a non-disclosure agreement, saying, “He demanded that I sign an NDA if I didn’t want things to get worse.”
Salaam also claims that Jada’s associates followed him to his car, repeatedly issuing verbal threats. In his lawsuit, he accuses Jada and her circle of attempting to silence him through intimidation, bribery and coercion, resulting in serious personal and professional harm.
He claims to have suffered: financial loss, mental and emotional distress, health problems, reputational damage, long-term damage to his career and private life
As a result, he is seeking $3 million in damages and plans to publish a memoir detailing the alleged years of pressure and harassment.
Controversy reminiscent of the 2022 Oscars slap
This new scandal comes nearly four years after Will Smith shocked the world at the 94th Academy Awards in 2022 when he went on stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock in the face.
The incident occurred after Rock joked about Jada’s shaved head, referring to him GI Janenot knowing or overlooking that her hairstyle was due to alopecia. Enraged, Will hit Rock and then yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!”
The moment sparked international condemnation. Despite winning Best Actor that night, Will was banned from all Academy events for 10 years.
Marriage under scrutiny: a long history of confessions and separations
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith married in 1997 and were once considered one of Hollywood’s hottest couples. However, over the years, their unconventional relationship has repeatedly attracted public attention.
The couple openly acknowledged that they practiced a form of open marriage, in which emotional or physical relationships outside of marriage were mutually accepted.
In 2020, Jada caused a huge stir during Red Table Speechesrevealing that she got into an “involvement” with singer August Alsina during a time when she and Will were separated.
Despite remaining legally married, it was later revealed that the two have been living separate lives since 2016, adding further complexity to their public image.
A new chapter of controversy
Now, with Salaam a friend close enough to be considered family who accuses Jada of threats and coercion, the Smiths find themselves in another spotlight.
The lawsuit is ongoing, and both the entertainment industry and the public are closely watching the development of this new legal dispute.
Sources: TV Report, Page Six, ABC
