**Sheree Zampino Sues Bilaal Salaam Over Allegations Made During Online Interview**
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Sheree Zampino, known for her previous marriage to actor Will Smith, has initiated legal action against Bilaal Salaam, a former associate of Smith, claiming that he made damaging statements about her during a YouTube interview. Zampino, 58, is seeking over £1 million in damages, alleging that Salaam’s comments have harmed her reputation and emotional well-being.
The lawsuit, filed on May 27 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, accuses Salaam, 56, of slander and intentionally causing emotional distress. The case centres around an appearance Salaam made on the YouTube series *Unwine with Tasha K*, during which he allegedly made “shockingly offensive” assertions regarding Zampino’s character and personal life.
Zampino claims that Salaam portrayed her as “promiscuous and sexually indiscriminate” in his remarks, which subsequently circulated widely on social media platforms including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. A promotional clip for the interview, released on May 4, allegedly carried a sensational headline alluding to Zampino’s purported behaviour in Hollywood.
In the suit, Zampino points to Salaam’s repeated references to her as a “whore” and his assertions that she was “screwing everybody in Hollywood.” She alleges that these statements are completely false and represent slander per se, a legal term indicating that certain types of defamatory statements are so damaging that they do not require proof of harm.
The complaint asserts that Salaam’s remarks stem from an ongoing vendetta against her ex-husband, Will Smith. Zampino’s legal team contends that Salaam has shifted his focus from attacking Smith to launching personal attacks against her, contributing to the distress she has endured as a result of his accusations.
As a consequence of Salaam’s statements, Zampino alleges she has experienced significant humiliation, emotional distress, and damage to her public image. Her complaint notes that she has suffered “mental anguish,” and she is seeking both punitive and compensatory damages that exceed the £1 million mark.
Salaam has previously made headlines for his controversial comments regarding the Smith family. Earlier in 2023, he claimed to have witnessed Will Smith in a compromising situation with actor Duane Martin. These allegations were later dismissed as “ridiculous” by Jada Pinkett Smith, who also sought legal action against Salaam in the past.
This latest lawsuit is not the first legal issue involving Salaam and members of the Smith family. In December 2022, he filed a £3 million lawsuit against Jada Pinkett Smith, alleging threats against him after he discussed her marriage publicly. In response, Pinkett Smith successfully secured a court order requiring Salaam to pay substantial legal fees after winning part of her anti-SLAPP motion, which is typically used to counteract strategic lawsuits against public participation.
As of now, representatives for both Zampino and Salaam have not commented publicly on the lawsuit. The legal proceedings are expected to unfold in the coming months, potentially shedding further light on the nuances of these personal and public disputes.
For Zampino, this legal action signifies a significant step in defending her reputation amidst a public scrutiny that has seemingly intensified in recent years. With a legal battle ahead, the outcome will likely have lasting implications for both her personal life and for Salaam, who has previously faced criticism for his outspoken views on Smith and his family.