Jada Pinkett Smith Seeks $49K in Legal Fees After Partial Win in Bilaal Salaam Lawsuit
Last Updated on April 28, 2026 by Bella
Jada Pinkett Smith is seeking nearly $49,000 in attorney fees after winning dismissal of part of Bilaal Salaam’s lawsuit against her. According to reports on newly filed court documents, Pinkett Smith wants Salaam to reimburse legal costs tied to the emotional distress claims that were thrown out.
Salaam had sued Pinkett Smith for $3 million, alleging emotional distress and accusing her of conduct tied to his fallout with the Smith family after the 2022 Oscars controversy. The lawsuit also referenced tensions surrounding a memoir he was reportedly preparing.
Why Jada Pinkett Smith Says Bilaal Salaam Should Pay
Pinkett Smith’s legal team argues that Salaam’s case lacked evidence and forced her to spend heavily defending herself. TMZ reported that in her fee request, she said Salaam failed to back up key claims that he lost a relationship, moved out of the country, and suffered other major consequences because of alleged distress. Her lawyers argued that those kinds of claims required stronger proof, such as medical records or third-party evidence, not just his own declarations.
Her side has also described Salaam’s allegations as “false, uncorroborated and made to generate attention,” language that appeared in earlier filings asking the court to dismiss the case. Pinkett Smith further argued that the lawsuit was part of an “ongoing public campaign of harassment” directed at her and her family.
What Bilaal Salaam Alleged in the Lawsuit
Salaam’s lawsuit has included a series of claims involving private confrontations and public fallout. According to earlier reporting on the complaint, he alleged Pinkett Smith threatened him after he made explosive public statements involving Will Smith and actor Duane Martin. He also claimed that after he refused certain requests and began preparing a tell-all memoir, he faced retaliation and intimidation from people close to the Smiths.
Pinkett Smith has denied those allegations. Her court filings say she never identified Salaam by name in public remarks and that his lawsuit was trying to punish her for speech protected under California law. In February, PEOPLE reported that she asked the court to strike the complaint under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, which is designed to dismiss meritless claims tied to protected speech at an early stage.
What Happens Next in the Case
Even with some claims dismissed, the case is not over. Pinkett Smith’s request for fees is now before the court, while the broader lawsuit remains active. Another report similarly noted that the matter was still pending despite setbacks for Salaam.
The next major step will be the court’s decision on whether Bilaal Salaam must cover the roughly $49,000 Pinkett Smith says she spent fighting the dismissed portions of the case.
TL;DR
- Jada Pinkett Smith is asking a court to make Bilaal Salaam pay about $49,000 in legal fees after part of his lawsuit against her was dismissed.
- Salaam had sued her for $3 million, claiming emotional distress and alleging threats connected to his fallout with the Smith family.
- Jada’s team argued his allegations were unsupported and part of a publicity-driven campaign against her and Will Smith.
- The lawsuit is still ongoing, even though some claims were thrown out.
