Will Smith Sued: Violinist Claims Retaliation After Reporting Sexual Harassment
Violinist Maya Lang says Will Smith’s company punished her for reporting harassment on the set of <em>Collateral Beauty</em>, igniting a retaliation lawsuit that could reshape Hollywood’s music departments.
The Lawsuit That Rocked Hollywood
Will Smith, the actor whose charm once powered blockbusters from Independence Day to Men in Black, now finds himself cast in a real-life drama: a federal lawsuit filed by a former Collateral Beauty violinist who says the star’s company retaliated after she reported sexual harassment on set.
What the Court Papers Say
The complaint, lodged in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, accuses Smith’s production outfit—Overbrook Entertainment—of demoting and then firing professional violinist Maya Lang once she raised alarms about a male supervisor who, she claims, sent explicit texts and cornered her in a trailer during late-night scoring sessions.
“I loved making music for film; I never imagined speaking up would cost me my career,” Lang, 29, told reporters outside the courthouse, her bow case slung over her shoulder like a battle standard.
Timeline of Allegations
- October 2016: Lang hired as concertmaster for Collateral Beauty reshoots.
- December 2016: She files an internal complaint citing “relentless” harassment.
- January 2017: Scheduling changes strip her of solos; pay reduced 30%.
- March 2017: Contract not renewed; she claims it was payback.
Smith’s Camp Responds
Overbrook’s general counsel issued a terse statement: “We take every workplace concern seriously. The allegations are without merit and we will defend vigorously.” Smith himself has not commented publicly, though he was spotted Wednesday leaving a Santa Monica gym, baseball cap pulled low.
Legal Stakes
Lang seeks back wages, punitive damages, and a public apology under California’s whistle-blower and Fair Employment statutes. Employment attorneys say retaliation claims carry high price tags; settlements in similar cases have topped $2 million.
Industry Ripple Effects
The suit lands as Hollywood unions tighten rules on harassment reporting. The American Federation of Musicians Local 47 has launched a confidential hotline for orchestral players, noting that “gig” workers often fear blacklisting more than full-time staffers.
Whether the Fresh Prince can freshen his reputation this time remains uncertain. For Maya Lang, the next movement will be played out not in a scoring stage but in a courtroom—where the spotlight is harsher and there are no second takes.