Will Smith’s ex-friend seeks testimony in Jada Pinkett Smith lawsuit

Will Smith’s former friend Bilaal Salaam is seeking to depose the Oscar winner in his ongoing $3 million lawsuit against Smith’s ex-wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, according to newly filed court documents. The request comes as the legal dispute over Salaam’s allegations against the actress continues to unfold.

Salaam, also known as Brother Bilaal, wants Smith to testify about claims that Pinkett Smith orchestrated a smear campaign against him following an alleged confrontation at Smith’s birthday party in 2021. Pinkett Smith has denied the allegations through her legal team.

Bilaal Salaam asks to depose Will Smith

According to court documents obtained by E! News, Salaam, who is representing himself, asked to spend the first 10 minutes of a planned 30-minute call with Pinkett Smith’s attorney discussing his request to depose Smith.

However, Pinkett Smith’s lawyer rejected the request, stating there was "nothing to meet and confer about" because Smith is not a party to the lawsuit.

The attorney wrote that if Salaam wants to question the actor, he must follow the legal procedures required for obtaining testimony from a non-party witness. She also noted that, to her knowledge, no subpoena had been served on Smith.

E! News reported that representatives for both Smith and Pinkett Smith did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Jada Pinkett Smith denies allegations

Salaam filed the $3 million lawsuit in November, accusing Pinkett Smith of intentional infliction of emotional distress.

In the complaint, he alleges that during Smith’s 53rd birthday party in 2021, Pinkett Smith warned him that if he continued "telling her personal business," he would "end up missing or catch a bullet."

He also claims she demanded that he sign a non-disclosure agreement "or else," after which members of her entourage allegedly followed him to his car.

Pinkett Smith has denied all of Salaam’s allegations through her attorney.

Legal battle also focuses on alleged evidence

Salaam further alleges that after refusing to help Pinkett Smith with crisis management following Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars, he became the target of a retaliatory smear campaign.

He claims the alleged campaign caused severe emotional and physical harm, including post-traumatic stress disorder, significant weight gain, high blood pressure and diabetes.

In a July 15 court filing, Pinkett Smith’s attorney asked the court to require Salaam to produce recordings of phone calls that he says support his claims of intimidation and threats.

The filing argues that Salaam has not clearly agreed to provide the recordings or medical records that would support the injuries for which he is seeking damages. The case remains ongoing, and no court has ruled on the merits of the allegations.