Content Advisory: This article discusses legal claims, alleged threats, emotional distress, restraining order proceedings, and public backlash involving a celebrity family. Reader discretion is advised.
Jada Pinkett Smith just scored a legal win against one of Will Smith’s former friends.
The actress was sued last year by Bilaal Salaam, who accused her of threats, harassment, and emotional distress. Salaam sought $3 million in damages, but Jada denied wrongdoing and moved to have the claims against her dismissed.
Now, the case has taken a costly turn for Salaam. A court reportedly ordered him to pay Jada $32,836 in legal fees after she successfully got some of his claims thrown out.
Jada Pinkett Smith Wins Legal Fee Fight
Jada had initially asked the court to make Salaam pay $49,181 in attorney fees. The judge did not grant the full amount, but still ordered Salaam to cover more than $32,000.
The fee order came after Jada convinced the court to dismiss parts of Salaam’s lawsuit.
Salaam had claimed he suffered emotional distress because of Jada’s alleged actions. He described himself as a longtime friend of Will Smith and said he had known the actor for nearly 40 years.
He also claimed Will’s team once contacted him for help with damage control after the 2022 Oscars slap involving Chris Rock. According to Salaam, his relationship with Jada worsened after she and her associates learned he was working on a memoir about his experiences with the Smith family.
Inside The $3 Million Claims
Salaam alleged that the conflict began in September 2021 during a private birthday event for Will’s 53rd birthday at a Calabasas movie theater.
He claimed Jada approached him with seven people from her entourage and became “verbally aggressive.” Salaam alleged she warned him he could “end up missing or catch a bullet” if he kept discussing her personal business. He also claimed Jada wanted him to sign an NDA and threatened consequences if he refused.
Jada denied the allegations and argued that Salaam had failed to back up his claims with enough evidence.
Restraining Order Bid Also Failed
Before the attorney fee ruling, Salaam also failed to obtain a permanent restraining order against Jada.
He had asked the court to bar her from coming within 100 yards of him or harassing him. In February, after both sides testified, the judge found there was not enough evidence to issue the order.
Salaam had claimed he feared for his safety and had suffered stress, anxiety, sleeplessness, and humiliation. He also alleged he temporarily left the country because he believed Jada might act on the alleged threats.
His claims later grew even stranger when he argued that the publicity around the legal fight caused him emotional distress that led to weight gain. Salaam also claimed the weight gain cost him a romantic relationship.
Jada pushed back, saying he had not provided evidence tying her to his alleged suffering.
Jada Also Faced Backlash Over Marriage Comment
The legal win comes after Jada faced a separate wave of criticism over comments about her past relationship with singer August Alsina during her complicated marriage to Will.
Reflecting on her ‘Red Table Talk’ discussion with Will, Jada suggested she had allowed herself to look like the villain to protect him. “If I’ve got to look like the adulterous wife to make sure you’re good, I’mma do it,” she said. That comment did not sit well with many fans, who accused her of trying to rewrite the public narrative.
For now, though, Jada has the stronger legal position in her fight with Salaam. He wanted millions from her. Instead, he has now been ordered to pay her legal fees.
