Jada Pinkett Smith Allegedly Threatened Will Smith’s Friend That He Will ‘Catch a Bullet’ Over Personal Secrets, $3M Lawsuit Claims

A former associate of Will Smith is suing Jada Pinkett Smith for $3 million, claiming she threatened him during an incident in 2021. The lawsuit was reported by PEOPLE on December 1.

Bilaal Salaam, also known as Brother Bilaal, described himself as a close friend of Will Smith for nearly 40 years. He said he worked with both Smiths on personal and professional projects and noted that Smith even included photos of him in his memoir Will.

According to the complaint, the alleged confrontation happened on September 25, 2021, in the lobby of the Regency Calabasas Commons during a private birthday celebration for Will Smith.

Salaam claims Pinkett Smith was with about seven members of her entourage. He alleges that she became verbally aggressive and threatened him, saying that if he continued “telling her personal business,” he would “end up missing or catch a bullet.” The complaint also claims she demanded that he sign a nondisclosure agreement “or else.” Salaam said her team followed him to his car while continuing the threats.

Six months later, in March 2022, Salaam claims he refused a request from a mutual friend to assist with crisis management after the Oscars incident, when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock following a joke about Pinkett Smith’s alopecia.

The lawsuit says that after refusing, he began receiving further threats and was targeted by a “retaliatory campaign” from the Smiths’ circle. Salaam also alleges the campaign escalated after he wrote a whistleblower memoir and gave a viral interview.

In his complaint, Salaam cited a 2023 interview with Unwine With Tasha K, where he claimed he witnessed Will Smith in a s**** act with actor Duane Martin. He alleges Pinkett Smith responded by engaging in a smear campaign through media appearances. “Rather than pursue legal recourse or report actual crimes, Defendant intentionally and maliciously engaged in a smear campaign through nationally broadcast interviews,” the complaint states.

Pinkett Smith addressed the claims on The Breakfast Club, dismissing them. “Let me just say this,” she said. “It’s ridiculous, right? And it’s nonsense.”

Salaam is suing for intentional infliction of emotional distress, pointing to Pinkett Smith’s statements to TMZ suggesting he was trying to “shake down” the couple. “Defendant never filed a lawsuit,” Salaam alleges. “The statement was false, reckless, and made with malicious intent to manipulate public opinion and damage Plaintiff’s character.”

The lawsuit claims that due to the alleged actions by Pinkett Smith and her associates, Salaam suffered financial losses, reputational harm, emotional distress, health issues, and disruption to his personal life and career. He is seeking $3 million in damages.

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