Actor Will Smith has become involved in a legal dispute between his estranged wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and his former friend Bilaal Salaam, who is seeking to question the Oscar-winning actor as part of an ongoing civil lawsuit.
According to court documents, Salaam, who is also known as Brother Bilaal, and is representing himself, has asked to question Smith in connection with his claims against Pinkett Smith.
Salaam alleges that the actress orchestrated a campaign to damage his reputation following an alleged confrontation at Smith's 53rd birthday party in 2021.
Pinkett Smith has denied Salaam's allegations.
Lawyers acting for Pinkett Smith have opposed the request to question Will Smith, arguing that he is not a party to the case and cannot simply be called to give evidence without following the appropriate legal procedures.
In an email exchange attached to a motion filed on 15 July, Salaam proposed using the first 10 minutes of a scheduled 30-minute discussion with Pinkett Smith's legal team to address his request to question Smith.
Responding on behalf of the actress, Pinkett Smith's lawyer said there was "nothing to meet and confer about" regarding the actor's involvement.
"Mr. Smith is not a party to this litigation," the lawyer wrote.
Salaam is seeking $3 million in damages, accusing Pinkett Smith of intentional infliction of emotional distress. In a lawsuit filed in November, he alleges that she threatened him after accusing him of revealing private information about her.
He also claims she attempted to force him to sign a non-disclosure agreement and that members of her entourage followed him to his car after the alleged incident.
Salaam further alleges that, after refusing to assist Pinkett Smith with what he described as "crisis management" following Will Smith's slap of comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards, he became the target of a retaliatory smear campaign.
He says the alleged campaign caused significant physical and emotional harm, including post-traumatic stress disorder, substantial weight gain, high blood pressure and diabetes.
In the latest court filing, Pinkett Smith's legal team has asked the court to compel Salaam to produce recordings of phone conversations that he says support his claims, as well as medical records relating to the injuries for which he is seeking compensation.
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