In the wake of recent claims alleging that Will Smith engaged in a sexual encounter with actor Duane Martin, ESPN host Stephen A. Smith has placed blame squarely on Jada Pinkett Smith for the rumors that have circulated. The accusations, made by a man named Brother Bilaal, a former friend and assistant to Will Smith, have been vehemently denied by the celebrity couple.
During an appearance on the YouTube show Unwine With Tasha K, Brother Bilaal recounted an incident from years ago when he allegedly walked in on Will Smith and Duane Martin engaging in sexual activity in a dressing room on a movie set. Will Smith’s spokesperson promptly dismissed the claims as “completely fabricated” and “unequivocally false.”
Jada Pinkett Smith, promoting her recently released memoir Worthy on Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club, expressed her disdain for the rumors, labeling them as “ridiculous” and “nonsense.” Pinkett Smith further characterized Brother Bilaal as someone attempting a failed “money shakedown” and announced their intent to take legal action against the false accusations.
While Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have vehemently denied the allegations, Duane Martin, who has chosen not to release a statement, reportedly considers the claims too “ridiculous” to dignify with a response, according to TMZ.
Stephen A. Smith, known for his outspoken commentary, took to his own YouTube show to share his perspective on the situation. Although he expressed skepticism about the veracity of the rumors, he placed responsibility on Jada Pinkett Smith for inviting public scrutiny into their private lives. “It’s all your fault, Jada!” exclaimed Stephen A. Smith, attributing the situation to Pinkett Smith’s openness about her personal life.
The ESPN host criticized Pinkett Smith for sharing intimate details, including information about her sex life with Will Smith and their seven-year separation, in her memoir. He argued that this openness gave people license to discuss the couple’s private affairs. Stephen A. Smith pointed out that even prior to the recent rumors, the public had been discussing Will Smith’s actions, such as the onstage incident at the 2022 Oscars where he slapped Chris Rock for making a joke at Jada Pinkett Smith’s expense.
In an almost 11-minute video, Stephen A. Smith emphasized the importance of maintaining privacy and advised the public to follow Duane Martin’s lead by staying silent on personal matters. He concluded by urging Will Smith to address the issue by ensuring that Jada Pinkett Smith refrains from discussing their private business publicly.
In a separate interview on The Breakfast Club, Jada Pinkett Smith shed light on Brother Bilaal’s motivations, stating that he sought additional compensation for his work on a book related to Will Smith. According to Pinkett Smith, Will Smith offered a certain amount, which Brother Bilaal declined, leading to the current situation.
This latest controversy follows the 2020 revelation by singer August Alsina of an affair with Jada Pinkett Smith, referred to by her as an “entanglement.” Will Smith later shared in a GQ interview in 2021 that their initially monogamous relationship evolved into an open one, emphasizing the need for change after realizing their mutual dissatisfaction.
