(Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Chile, it looks like Jada Pinkett Smiths name is back in the headlinesand not for the reason you might think. An alleged former longtime associate has stepped forward with some serious claims, and the tea hes spilling has the internet clutching its pearls.
According to a new lawsuit, Bilaal Salaamwho says hes been close to Will Smith for nearly four decadesclaims Jada Pinkett Smith confronted him during a private birthday celebration for Will on September 25, 2021, at the Regency Calabasas Commons. In the complaint obtained by PEOPLE, Salaam alleges Jada approached him in the lobby with approximately seven members of her entourage, becoming verbally aggressive and accusing him of sharing her personal business. He claims the confrontation escalated when Jada allegedly warned he could end up missing or catch a bullet if he didnt fall in line.
But thats not all. Salaams complaint claims the confrontation didnt end in the lobby; he alleges that Jada Pinkett Smiths team followed him to his car while continuing to issue verbal threats. He also claims Jada allegedly demanded he sign an NDA or else, and later publicly accused him of trying to shake down her and Will. Hes now suing for intentional infliction of emotional distress and seeking $3 million in damages.
Months later, in March 2022just after the Academy Awards incident involving Will Smith and Chris RockSalaam says he refused a request from a mutual friend to help with crisis management, insisting he wouldnt take part in anything he viewed as illegal, unethical, or deceptive. According to the filing, that refusal sparked a wave of retaliation, including alleged threats from the couples circle and pressure after they learned he was writing a whistleblower memoir. The situation escalated further when an interview he gave went viral, including claims about Will Smith that Jada publicly dismissed as ridiculous and nonsense during her appearance on ‘The Breakfast Club.’
Furthermore, Salaam alleges that instead of pursuing legal action as publicly stated in a TMZ interview, Pinkett Smith engaged in a “smear campaign that damaged his reputation. He claims she accused him of trying to shake down her and Will, and that the couple never filed the lawsuit they said they would. The complaint says the actress and her emissaries attempted to bribe, intimidate, or silence him, ultimately causing financial loss, reputational harm, emotional distress, physical health issues, and what he describes as the complete derailment of his personal life and career.
When the story hit, folks ran straight to The Shade Room comment section and wasted zero time dropping their two cents. Many readers actually sided with Jada, questioning why he was out here telling her business in the first place. Meanwhile, others joked that the way he pursed his lips in photos told them he was definitely spilling premium-grade tea. And of course, a whole other group chimed in with jokes, saying Jada is probably somewhere chillin, maxin, relaxin all cool while the internet does what it does best.
One Instagram user, @iamelocopeland, said, “Jada is somewhere at Her Lake sipping on some real exotic tea ”
This Instagram user @_pettyking added, “I side with Jada & Will. You cant go around exposing people & expect them not to confront you when they see you.“
And, Instagram user @meke917 wrote, “The way his lips positioned I know he told everything ”
Meanwhile, Instagram user @taztriplet shared, “ well why were you telling her business?“
While Instagram user @a_1danny said, “Sorry to say this, but this is why its important to have friends who are on the same level as you in life“
Lastly, Instagram user @coreyborner24 added, “BRO WTH GOING ON HERE
