Will and Jada Pinkett Smith are brushing off a fresh lawsuit filed by longtime acquaintance Bilaal Salaam, with sources close to the couple alleging that the claims are nothing short of absurd and financially motivated. The couple reportedly feels caught off guard and exasperated as the allegations resurrect past dramas and accusations they have publicly denounced. Will and Jada Pinkett Smith view the recent $3 million lawsuit as a mere 'money ploy,' according to an entertainment source speaking to People.
The source claims that the couple is genuinely infuriated, terming the allegations as "a lot of crap." They describe Salaam as an "opportunistic individual out to exploit them," adding that the complaint is seen as a "money grab to extract what they can from them." They emphasize that "naturally, both of them dislike people around them talking out of school."
Another source echoes this sentiment, stating that Salaam "has been close to Will for many years but at some point became a gossip monger, which has upset both Will and Jada." They add that high-profile individuals "don't want to hear about their lives in the public arena. Especially in a controversial way." The source further asserts that Salaam's lawsuit "was tailored to produce some cash to make it go away."
For context, Bilaal Salaam claims that the actress warned him in a lobby encounter that if he continued "telling her personal business," he would "end up missing or catch a bullet." His filing further alleges that Pinkett Smith demanded he sign an NDA "or else," and that she followed him to his car, continuing with threats. He also states that he later received warnings from the couple's circle and was targeted in a "retaliatory campaign." This allegedly happened following a "viral" interview he gave.
The lawsuit claims intentional infliction of emotional distress, referencing a later interview in which Pinkett Smith stated that Salaam was attempting to "shake down" her and her husband. As of now, there has been no public confirmation from Bilaal Salaam, Will, or Jada Pinkett Smith.
