Jada Pinkett Smith has secured a partial legal victory in an ongoing lawsuit filed by Will Smith’s former friend, Bilaal Salaam, while also moving to recover significant legal expenses incurred during her defence.
According to court documents and reports cited by foreign media Salaam had filed a $3 million lawsuit alleging emotional distress connected to events following the widely reported 2022 Oscars incident involving Will Smith and comedian Chris Rock.
He claimed he was involved in efforts to manage the aftermath and later faced threats after allegedly working on a memoir containing sensitive claims about the Smith family.
In his complaint Salaam alleged that Jada Pinkett Smith and members of her team threatened him after learning about the planned memoir, including claims of severe intimidation. He further stated that these alleged actions caused him emotional distress, personal disruption, and financial and social consequences.
However during the latest court proceedings, the judge dismissed key portions of Salaam’s emotional distress claims, marking a significant legal win for Jada Pinkett Smith.
Following the ruling Pinkett Smith has now requested the court to order Salaam to pay approximately $49,000 in legal fees she incurred while defending herself in the case. Her legal team argues that since part of the lawsuit has been dismissed, Salaam should bear responsibility for those costs.
Pinkett Smith has strongly denied all allegations, describing them as “false, uncorroborated, and designed to attract attention.” She has also rejected claims that Salaam suffered personal harm stating that no credible evidence has been provided to support allegations of health issues, relocation, or relationship breakdowns.
Meanwhile, Salaam’s original lawsuit also included claims that he was pressured to sign non-disclosure agreements and was threatened over alleged disclosures, including statements he says were made to intimidate him. These allegations have been firmly denied by Pinkett Smith.
Although parts of the case have now been dismissed, the legal dispute is still ongoing, with further proceedings expected to determine remaining claims and financial responsibilities between the parties.
