Will Smith Could Be Called to Testify in California Lawsuit Involving Jada Pinkett Smith: ‘Just Straight Cringey’
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith‘s relationship could be in for another direct hit, and it is all thanks to the couple’s former friend Bilaal Salaam’s California lawsuit against Jada. The on-again-off-again spouses seemingly have plenty of ongoing drama in their lives.
As most fans know, their relationship has been touch-and-go for years, and if this plays out in court the way Salaam hopes it will, it might be the final blow for the pair. According to recent reports, Bilaal hopes to pull Will Smith smack-dab into the middle of his ongoing lawsuit with Jada Pinkett Smith.
Bilaal Salaam Moves To Pull Will Smith Into California Court Battle Against Jada Pinkett Smith
According to People, recently filed court documents, Salaam, also known as Brother Bilaal, is attempting to have Will Smith provide testimony as part of his ongoing lawsuit against Jada Pinkett Smith. Salaam, who is representing himself in the case, reportedly requested that the Oscar-winning actor sit for a deposition as the legal dispute continues to unfold in California.
The lawsuit dates back to December 2025, when Salaam filed a $3 million complaint alleging that Jada threatened him during an encounter in the lobby of the Regency Calabasas Commons in California in September 2021.
Jada has denied the allegations and continues to challenge the claims through the California court system. Her legal team argues that the accusations lack sufficient evidence and has asked the court to require Salaam to produce documentation supporting his allegations.
According to recent filings, Jada’s attorneys responded to Salaam’s request for Will Smith’s deposition by stating that the actor is not a party to the lawsuit and has not been served with a subpoena requiring his testimony. At this stage, it remains unclear whether Will will ultimately be called to testify.
Court Filings Show Discovery Dispute Continues
The latest filings also show the case remains focused on the discovery process rather than the merits of the lawsuit itself. Jada’s attorneys have reportedly filed motions asking the court to compel Salaam to produce materials connected to his allegations, including recordings he claims support his version of events and medical records relating to the emotional distress damages he is seeking.
The actress previously secured a court order requiring Salaam to pay nearly $33,000 in attorney fees and legal costs connected to portions of the litigation. Another hearing in the case is currently scheduled for Aug. 19 in California. As with many civil lawsuits, the discovery process allows both sides to request evidence before any trial moves forward.
“Filing lawsuits for income is just straight cringey,” one fan writes.
“Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus reincarnated,” one more adds.
Can a Spouse Be Forced to Testify in California?
The possibility of Will Smith becoming involved has also raised questions about California’s laws regarding spouses testifying in court.
Under California law, spouses may have certain legal protections involving confidential marital communications. In many situations, private conversations between spouses are protected under marital privilege. However, those protections are not absolute.
Whether a spouse can be compelled to testify depends on several factors, including the type of case, the information being sought, whether a valid subpoena has been issued, and whether any recognized legal privilege applies. Civil cases can involve different rules than criminal proceedings, and courts evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis.
Legal experts generally note that simply being married to someone involved in litigation does not automatically require a spouse to testify.
A Marriage That Has Frequently Made Headlines
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have spent years publicly discussing the complexities of their relationship.
The pair married in 1997 and share two children, Jaden and Willow Smith. Over the years, they became known for speaking candidly about marriage, family, and personal growth through interviews and Jada’s former Facebook Watch series, Red Table Talk.
Their relationship came under renewed public attention in 2020 when they addressed Jada’s “entanglement” with singer August Alsina. In 2023, Jada revealed while promoting her memoir Worthy that she and Will had quietly been living separate lives since 2016, although they never legally divorced.
Despite their unconventional relationship, the two have continued appearing together publicly on occasion and have repeatedly expressed support for one another while describing their marriage as a work in progress.
Separate Legal Matters Continue Around the Smith Family
The lawsuit involving Salaam is not the only legal matter connected to people close to the Smith family.
Earlier this year, Will Smith’s former wife, Sheree Zampino, filed her own lawsuit against Salaam, alleging slander and intentional infliction of emotional distress over statements made during an online interview. Salaam has denied wrongdoing in connection with those claims.
Those separate proceedings are not directly tied to Jada’s case but add another legal layer involving the former family friend.
What’s Next in the California Lawsuit?
For now, the focus remains on whether Salaam can provide the evidence requested by the court and whether any additional witnesses—including Will Smith—will eventually become involved.
No ruling has been made requiring the actor to testify, and no subpoena compelling his appearance has been publicly confirmed. With another court hearing scheduled for Aug. 19, the California case continues to develop. Whether Will Smith ultimately becomes part of the proceedings remains one of the biggest unanswered questions as the litigation moves forward.
Joann covers high-profile industry features, investigative entertainment stories, and long-form trending media profiles. She has 15 years of experience in the online news vertical.
