Jada Pinkett Smith Battles $3 Million Case Filed by Will Smith’s Former Friend

Jada Pinkett Smith is taking a strong stand against a $3 million lawsuit that has put her and her family in the headlines for months. On February 16, she filed a motion in a California court asking a judge to dismiss the case, which was filed by Bilaal Salaam.

According to court documents, Pinkett Smith’s legal team argues that the lawsuit is entirely without merit and is covered by California’s anti-SLAPP law. This statute protects individuals from lawsuits intended to silence or intimidate them when speaking on matters of public interest.

The lawsuit stems from claims by Salaam, who says he was a longtime friend of the Smith family. He alleges that in September 2021, Pinkett Smith confronted him at a hotel and issued a threat, warning that he could “end up missing or catch a bullet.” Pinkett Smith has consistently denied these allegations.

She described the lawsuit as nonsense and said it is a publicity stunt designed to attract attention rather than a serious legal claim. In the court filing, Pinkett Smith’s attorneys also claim that Salaam has engaged in a public harassment campaign against the family. The filing cites Salaam’s previous interviews where he made unverified claims about Will Smith’s private life.

“The statements we made in public were constitutionally protected speech regarding matters of intense public interest,” her lawyers stated. They argue that the lawsuit is essentially retaliatory, sparked by Jada and the family pushing back against Salaam’s viral interviews.

The timing of the legal action comes as the Smiths continue to publicly show their strong family bond. Just days before the motion was filed, Jada shared a Valentine’s Day surprise from Will, which featured a room filled with life-sized pillows of the family.

In January, the couple also attended Paris Fashion Week, proudly supporting their son Jaden as he made his debut as a creative director for Christian Louboutin. Meanwhile, Pinkett Smith has maintained a busy professional schedule.

She is starring in Girls Trip 2, the sequel to the 2017 hit, which takes the original cast—including Queen Latifah, Regina Hall, and Tiffany Haddish—to Accra, Ghana for a fresh round of international adventures. Her production company, Westbrook Inc., is also developing several new unscripted series, continuing the momentum from the success of her memoir, Worthy.

Will Smith has also been focused on his career. His high-concept sci-fi thriller, Fast & Loose, is currently in post-production. He is also reportedly close to finalizing negotiations for an I Am Legend sequel alongside Michael B. Jordan.

The lawsuit adds another layer to what has already been a complicated few years for the Smith family. Between public controversies, major professional projects, and the ongoing attention from their personal lives, the couple has been navigating an unusually intense spotlight.

Despite the challenges, they appear to be maintaining a united front, both personally and professionally, and continue to focus on their family and their careers. Jada Pinkett Smith’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit marks the latest development in what could be a long legal battle, but for now, she and Will are demonstrating resilience in the face of public controversy.

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