A newly filed $3 million lawsuit claims Jada Pinkett Smith threatened longtime Will Smith friend Bilaal Salaam, warning he might 'catch a bullet' if he continued sharing her personal information. According to filings first reported by People and Entertainment Weekly, Salaam says the confrontation occurred at a private 2021 birthday event for Will Smith, where Jada allegedly approached him with members of her entourage and issued the threat. The lawsuit further states Jada demanded he sign an NDA 'or else,' and that an associate followed him to his car, extending the alleged threat.
The lawsuit claims tensions escalated after the controversial 2022 Oscars slap, when Salaam refused a request to assist with 'crisis PR' for the Smith family. The complaint alleges a retaliation campaign by Jada and unnamed associates, including pressuring media outlets, calling Salaam a liar, and spreading damaging stories about him, which he claims cost him business opportunities and emotional stability.
Salaam is seeking $3 million for severe emotional distress, reputation damage, loss of work, physical health deterioration, and fear of continued retaliation. The suit also mentions that he may amend the filing to include Will Smith depending on the litigation outcomes.
In response, Jada Pinkett Smith has called the allegations 'nonsense' and 'completely fabricated,' asserting she never threatened Salaam or directed anyone to intimidate him. Her legal team has refuted any violent threat, retaliation campaign, forced NDA, and contended that the lawsuit is an attempt to extract money through sensational storytelling.
Should the case proceed, it could reveal internal communications during the Oscars fallout and conflicts within the Smith inner circle, potentially affecting the couple’s efforts to rebuild their public image. The lawsuit presents a narrative of threats, intimidation, and damage control, while Jada maintains that the entire story is misrepresented.
The lawsuit claims tensions escalated after the controversial 2022 Oscars slap, when Salaam refused a request to assist with 'crisis PR' for the Smith family. The complaint alleges a retaliation campaign by Jada and unnamed associates, including pressuring media outlets, calling Salaam a liar, and spreading damaging stories about him, which he claims cost him business opportunities and emotional stability.
Salaam is seeking $3 million for severe emotional distress, reputation damage, loss of work, physical health deterioration, and fear of continued retaliation. The suit also mentions that he may amend the filing to include Will Smith depending on the litigation outcomes.
In response, Jada Pinkett Smith has called the allegations 'nonsense' and 'completely fabricated,' asserting she never threatened Salaam or directed anyone to intimidate him. Her legal team has refuted any violent threat, retaliation campaign, forced NDA, and contended that the lawsuit is an attempt to extract money through sensational storytelling.
Should the case proceed, it could reveal internal communications during the Oscars fallout and conflicts within the Smith inner circle, potentially affecting the couple’s efforts to rebuild their public image. The lawsuit presents a narrative of threats, intimidation, and damage control, while Jada maintains that the entire story is misrepresented.
