Jada Pinkett Smith Told Husband Will’s Friend He Would ‘Catch a Bullet’ If He Continued Telling Her ‘Personal Business,’ $3M Complaint Claims

Jada Pinkett Smith Faces $3M Lawsuit for Allegedly Threatening Will Smith’s Friend Over ‘Personal Business’

Jada Pinkett Smith is at the center of a $3 million lawsuit filed by Bilaal Salaam, a former associate of Will Smith, who claims Pinkett Smith threatened him in 2021. The complaint alleges that during a private birthday celebration for Will Smith in September 2021, Pinkett Smith confronted Salaam at the Regency Calabasas Commons, accompanied by around seven members of her entourage.

Salaam, who described himself as a long-time friend of Will Smith, stated that he had worked closely with the actor on various projects, including being featured in Smith’s memoir. According to the complaint obtained by PEOPLE, Pinkett Smith allegedly became verbally aggressive towards Salaam, threatening him with the possibility of “end[ing] up missing” or “catch[ing] a bullet” if he continued sharing her personal information.

Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that Pinkett Smith insisted that Salaam sign a nondisclosure agreement under threat. Following the altercation, Salaam asserts that Pinkett Smith’s team followed him to his car, continuing to issue verbal threats. The situation escalated six months later when Salaam declined a request for assistance with crisis management after Will Smith’s notorious incident at the Academy Awards.

During the Oscars ceremony, Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock in response to a joke about Pinkett Smith’s hair loss due to alopecia. Salaam maintains that he refused to partake in any activities he deemed unethical or illegal, leading to alleged threats from those associated with the Smiths and a “retaliatory campaign” against him.

Salaam claims that the retaliation intensified upon learning of his intention to write a memoir exposing his experiences with the Smiths. The alleged smear campaign reached its peak after Salaam’s interview, which gained widespread attention. In response, Pinkett Smith dismissed Salaam’s claims on The Breakfast Club, calling them “ridiculous” and “nonsense.”

Accusing Pinkett Smith of intentional infliction of emotional distress, Salaam highlighted her statements implying he was attempting to extort money from the couple. He refuted Pinkett Smith’s public threats of legal action, asserting they were made with malicious intent to tarnish his reputation. Salaam’s lawsuit outlines the detrimental impact of Pinkett Smith’s alleged actions on his life, including financial loss, reputational damage, emotional distress, physical health concerns, and career setbacks.

Deceased The PEOPLE team sought comments from Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, and Duane Martin representatives, but no response has been received at the time of publication. The outcome of this legal battle remains to be seen as Salaam seeks $3 million in damages for the alleged harm caused by Pinkett Smith’s actions. Stay tuned for further developments as the story unfolds.

At this stage, while the allegations are serious, it is crucial to await responses from all involved parties before drawing definitive conclusions. The legal process will ultimately determine the veracity of the claims and any potential repercussions for those implicated. As the case progresses, the public and media will undoubtedly closely monitor the unfolding events and any statements issued by the parties involved.