Jada Pinkett Smith is seeking to recover nearly $49,000 in legal fees from a man tied to an ongoing civil lawsuit that grew out of fallout from one of Hollywood’s most talked-about controversies.
According to newly reported court filings, Pinkett Smith has asked a judge to order Bilaal Salaam, described in prior filings as a former friend of Will Smith, to pay $48,975 in attorney fees after part of his case against her was dismissed. The request follows a ruling that threw out emotional distress claims Salaam brought against the actress and producer.
The dispute traces back to events after the 2022 Academy Awards, where Will Smith walked onstage and slapped comedian Chris Rock during the live broadcast. In later legal filings, Salaam claimed he was a longtime associate of Smith and was asked to assist with damage control after the incident drew global attention.
Salaam later sued Pinkett Smith, alleging that she and people connected to her made threats after learning he was writing a memoir. He claimed the alleged conduct caused severe emotional distress and led to personal setbacks, including the loss of a romantic relationship, leaving the country, and significant weight loss.
Pinkett Smith denied the allegations and challenged the claims in court. In previously reported filings, she argued Salaam had failed to provide evidence supporting those assertions. She also alleged his claims were “made to generate attention as part of an ongoing public campaign of harassment directed at her and Will.”
Her latest motion seeks to shift the cost of defending against the dismissed claims onto Salaam, arguing she incurred substantial legal expenses responding to accusations that did not survive judicial review.
The broader lawsuit remains active, meaning other claims or unresolved issues are still before the court. No final judgment has been entered in the case.
Neither Pinkett Smith nor Salaam had publicly commented further on the newest filing at the time of publication. The matter now moves back before a judge, who will decide whether Salaam must cover the requested fees as the remaining portions of the case continue.
