The legal war between Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith’s former friend Bilaal Salaam just took another expensive turn. After months of accusations, restraining order filings, emotional distress claims, and allegations tied to the fallout surrounding the Smith family, a Los Angeles judge has now ordered Salaam to pay Jada more than $32,000 in legal fees. And when you line up the timeline, the entire situation reads less like a celebrity disagreement and more like a public unraveling that kept escalating in court.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge awarded Jada Pinkett Smith $32,836 in attorney fees after dismissing portions of Salaam’s lawsuit against her. Jada initially sought $49,181 before the court reduced the amount.
The lawsuit traces back to claims Salaam made after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during the 2022 Academy Awards. Salaam, who described himself as a longtime friend of Will Smith, alleged he was contacted by people connected to the Smith camp to assist with damage control after the Oscars incident exploded across headlines worldwide.
But according to Salaam, things allegedly shifted once he began working on a memoir that would discuss his history with the family. In court filings, Salaam claimed Jada and her associates threatened and intimidated him after learning about the book project. He alleged the situation caused emotional distress, reputational harm, financial losses, and strain in his personal life.
Jada denied every allegation. Her legal team argued Salaam’s claims lacked evidence and described the lawsuit as part of a broader harassment campaign targeting both her and Will Smith. She later moved to dismiss several claims under California’s anti-SLAPP laws, which are designed to prevent lawsuits intended to silence protected speech. The court ultimately sided with Jada on several portions of the case, opening the door for her legal team to recover attorney fees. The ruling now leaves Salaam not only fighting portions of the remaining case but also paying thousands toward Jada’s legal expenses.
And that was not the only courtroom setback.
Earlier this year, Salaam also sought a restraining order against Jada Pinkett Smith. He accused her of threatening behavior and asked the court for protection. A judge later denied the request, ruling Salaam failed to provide enough evidence to justify a permanent restraining order.
The public nature of the case has only intensified because Salaam spent years publicly defending and discussing Will Smith before later making explosive allegations about both Will and Jada online and in interviews. In 2023, Salaam went viral after making controversial claims involving Will Smith and actor Duane Martin during an interview appearance. Representatives for Smith denied the allegations at the time.
Now the fallout from those years of public accusations, interviews, and legal filings has spilled fully into court.
Timeline Of Events
March 2022: The Oscars Slap Changes Everything
Will Smith slaps Chris Rock during the Academy Awards after Rock makes a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. The moment becomes one of the most controversial incidents in Oscars history. Salaam later claims he was contacted to assist with damage control efforts connected to the backlash.
November 2023: Bilaal Salaam Makes Viral Claims About Will Smith
Salaam appears in interviews and makes controversial allegations involving Will Smith and actor Duane Martin. Will Smith’s representatives publicly deny the claims. Late 2025: Salaam Files Emotional Distress Lawsuit
Salaam files a lawsuit against Jada Pinkett Smith, accusing her and associates of threats, harassment, and retaliation connected to his planned memoir and public comments about the Smith family. He seeks damages for emotional distress and reputational harm.
February 2026: Restraining Order Request Gets Denied
Salaam seeks a restraining order against Jada, alleging threatening behavior. A judge later denies the request after finding insufficient evidence for a permanent order.
April 2026: Jada Moves To Recover Legal Fees
After portions of Salaam’s lawsuit are dismissed, Jada requests nearly $49,000 in attorney fees connected to defending herself against the claims.
May 2026: Judge Awards Jada More Than $32K
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge awards Jada Pinkett Smith $32,836 in legal fees, marking another major courtroom victory in the ongoing legal dispute.
