A former confidant of Will Smith alleges in a new $3 million lawsuit that Jada Pinkett Smith escalated a private disagreement into an intimidation campaign.

Bilaal Salaam—who calls himself “a best friend” of Will Smith’s “for nearly 40 years”—claims he “worked closely” with the actor on personal and professional projects and even appeared in photos included in Smith’s memoir Will. Now he is suing his wife Jada, alleging she threatened him, harassed him, and tried to silence him as their relationship soured.

In a complaint reviewed by People, Salaam says Pinkett Smith confronted him on September 25, 2021, in the lobby of the Regency Calabasas Commons while he attended a private birthday event for Smith.

He alleges Pinkett Smith arrived with “approximately seven members of her entourage,

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