Jada Pinkett-Smith is pushing back against a lawsuit brought forth by Will Smith’s former assistant.
In November 2025 Bilaal Salaam sued Pinkett-Smith for intentional infliction of emotional distress. In the suit, Pinkett-Smith was accused of threatening Bilaal Salaam, a longtime assistant of Will Smith. Salaam alleges that the threat from the actress came after he walked in on her and Will Smith engaging in a sexual act with actor Duane Martin.
The allegations were made during an episode of the Unwine With Tasha K podcast, as People reported.
After his startling discovery, Salaam claims that Pinkett-Smith confronted him in the lobby of the Regency Calabasas Commons on Sept. 25, 2021, at a private birthday party.
Salaam said that she told him if he continued “telling her personal business,” that he would end up “missing or catch a bullet.” He alleged the “Girls Trip” actress demanded he sign a non-disclosure agreement so he couldn’t talk about those threats.
Chris Rock slap
Salaam’s lawsuit ties to an infamous highlight from the Academy Awards 2022. He says he refused to participate in “crisis management” for Will Smith after the actor smacked Chris Rock across the face on stage. Salaam claims this decision caused tensions to escalate following the incident.
Jada Pinkett-Smith responds to Bilal Salaam
In updated documents from TMZ, Pinkett-Smith described the case as “false, uncorroborated and made to generate attention as part of an ongoing public campaign of harassment directed at” her and her family.
Pinkett-Smith added that Bilaal’s lawsuit seeks to punish her for her “constitutionally protected speech on a matter of intense public interest about her family.”
Salaam is seeking $3 million in financial damages. Pinkett-Smith asserts that he should not receive anything and should cover her legal fees.