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Jada Pinkett Smith is fighting back against a $3M lawsuit filed by her husband Will Smith’s former friend, Bilaal Salaam. The actress insists the allegations are “false, uncorroborated, and made to generate attention,” claiming the case is an attempt to silence her protected free speech. She has filed a motion asking a California court to dismiss the lawsuit in its entirety.
Pinkett Smith Denies Threats and Labels Claims “Nonsense”
The lawsuit, filed in December 2025, alleges that Pinkett Smith threatened Salaam at a hotel in 2021 after he claimed to have witnessed Will Smith in a sexual encounter with actor Duane Martin. Salaam’s complaint asserts that Pinkett Smith told him he would “end up missing or catch a bullet.”
In her motion, Pinkett Smith’s legal team stated, “Plaintiff voluntarily gave media interviews claiming – without evidence – that he personally witnessed her husband, actor Will Smith, engaging in sexual acts. Plaintiff’s allegations were false, uncorroborated, and made to generate attention as part of an ongoing public campaign of harassment directed at Defendant and her family.”
Pinkett Smith also addressed the claims in interviews, calling them “nonsense” on The Breakfast Club. In a follow-up to TMZ, she bluntly declared, “we’re suin’.” Her legal team emphasizes that Salaam’s statements were publicized to generate attention, while the actress maintains she was never verbally abusive toward him.
The Legal Push to Dismiss the Jada Pinkett Smith $3M Lawsuit
Pinkett Smith’s attorneys argue that the lawsuit conflicts with California’s anti-SLAPP statute, designed to dismiss meritless claims arising from free speech. They highlight that Salaam publicly disclosed a cease-and-desist letter and participated in multiple media interviews, which they claim contributed to the lawsuit.
Fans have reacted strongly online, with support tilting towards the Smiths. On Reddit, one user asked the plaintiff, “But did you get shot though? Please don’t tell us any more Smith family business…as a collective, we are tired. Justice for Jada though.”
Another commented, “Who needs enemies when you have friends like this?” Some expressed skepticism, noting, “People really do claim anything for money. This is clearly extortion…please be for real.” And another user added, “people are soooooo weird about the Smiths.”
Despite the legal drama, sources close to the couple stress that Jada and Will continue to maintain mutual respect and focus on family life with their children, Trey, 33, Jaden, 27, and Willow, 25.
The court must now decide whether the $3 million lawsuit will proceed, while Pinkett Smith remains steadfast in defending her name and her family against Bilaal Salaam’s claims.
