Jada Pinkett Smith Seeks $49K Over Dismissed Emotional Distress Claims

Jada Pinkett Smith is seeking nearly $49,000 in legal fees from Bilaal Salaam after part of his lawsuit against her was dismissed. The request comes amidst ongoing legal battles related to the fallout from the 2022 Academy Awards incident.

Background of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit stems from events following the 2022 Academy Awards, where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during a live broadcast. Salaam, a former associate of Will Smith, claimed he was involved in damage control efforts after the incident. He later sued Pinkett Smith, alleging she and others made threats when they learned about his memoir plans, causing him emotional distress.

Dismissal of Claims

A judge dismissed Salaam’s claims of emotional distress against Pinkett Smith due to lack of evidence. In her defense, Pinkett Smith argued that Salaam's assertions were baseless and accused him of using the lawsuit to generate public attention.

Request for Legal Fees

Pinkett Smith has filed a motion requesting Salaam to cover $48,975 in attorney fees incurred while defending against his now-dismissed claims. The broader lawsuit continues with unresolved issues still before the court.

The case awaits further judicial review as the judge will determine if Salaam must pay the legal fees. Neither party has commented on the latest developments at this time.