Will and Jada Pinkett Smith are dismissing a new lawsuit filed by longtime acquaintance Bilaal Salaam, with sources close to the couple alleging that the claims are outrageous and financially motivated. The pair reportedly feels blindsided and frustrated as the allegations resurface past drama and accusations they have publicly denied.
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith see the recent $3 million lawsuit as a ‘money ploy’
According to an entertainment source speaking to People, the couple considers the lawsuit entirely opportunistic. “They are really mad and say it’s a lot of crap,” the source claimed. They describe Salaam as “an opportunistic person out to exploit them.” The insider added that Will and Jada Smith view the complaint “as a money ploy to get what they can out of them.” They emphasize that “naturally, both of them dislike people around them talking out of school.”
Another source echoed this sentiment. They told the outlet that Salaam “has been close to Will for many years but sometime along the way became a blabbermouth, which has upset both Will and Jada.” They added that high-profile individuals “don’t want to hear about their lives in the public arena. Especially in a controversial way.” The source further claimed that Salaam’s lawsuit “was tailored to produce some money to make it go away.”
For context, Bilaal Salaam claims the actress warned him in a lobby run-in 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.” It also claims she followed him to his car and continued issuing threats. He also says 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 said Salaam was trying to “shake down” her and her husband. As of now, there hasn’t been any public confirmation from Bilaal Salaam, Will, and Jada Pinkett Smith.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory.
