Jada Pinkett Smith Wins $49,000 Legal Fee Ruling Against Will Smith’s Former Friend

Jada Pinkett Smith has secured a court ruling requiring Bilaal Salaam to pay approximately $49,000 in legal fees following a partial victory in her defense against a $3 million emotional distress lawsuit.

The California judge issued the order on Thursday, April 23, 2026, after dismissing key claims in the lawsuit filed by Salaam, a former associate of Will Smith. The ruling stems from Pinkett Smith’s successful argument that Salaam should cover defense costs for the dismissed portions of his case.

The legal dispute originated in December 2025 when Salaam alleged that Pinkett Smith warned he would “catch a bullet” if he disclosed personal information. He claimed these threats were intended to pressure him into signing a nondisclosure agreement related to the 2022 Oscars incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock.

Pinkett Smith’s legal team challenged the validity of these claims throughout the proceedings, noting that Salaam failed to provide medical records or psychological evaluations to support his assertions of severe psychological damage and stress-related weight gain. The defense characterized the lawsuit as a public campaign of harassment designed to generate attention.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Pinkett Smith accumulated the significant legal bill while defending against allegations that she and her entourage issued death threats. Her attorneys stated that she never publicly identified Salaam in press statements, which countered his claims of being personally targeted.

The financial award comes after Pinkett Smith’s legal team successfully argued that Salaam should be responsible for the defense costs associated with the dismissed portions of his $3 million lawsuit. The case represents one of several legal matters connected to the aftermath of the 2022 Oscars incident that have continued to unfold in court.

As of the ruling date, the judgment requires Salaam to pay the specified amount to cover the legal expenses incurred by Pinkett Smith during her defense. The case highlights the ongoing legal repercussions stemming from the high-profile Oscars incident and its aftermath.