Will Smith’s friendship with long-time pal and fellow actor Duane Martin has been highlighted by fans again, after claims made by a former employee.

Smith’s former assistant Brother Bilaal has become the center of a social media storm after appearing on Tasha K’s show. The ex-assistant appeared on the show in an episode released yesterday to promote his forthcoming book on Will Smith titled “WILL SMITH DEMONIC CIRCLE BOOK.” During his talk with Tasha K, Bilaal made various allegations about Will Smith and his sexuality, involving friend Duane Martin. The allegations were provided without evidence and Will has not publicly responded to them. 

Will Smith and Duane Martin’s friendship history

Smith and Martin have been long-time friends for decades after meeting in 1993. Martin and Smith met while on TV set of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air when Martin appeared in an episode titled “It Is Better To Have Loved and Lost It.” 

Since then, the two have formed a withstanding friendship. Will and wife Jada Pinkett Smith had a close friendship with both Martin and his ex-wife Tisha Campbell, who he divorced in 2018. 

In 2019, Martin was reportedly sued by his bankruptcy trustee and accused of attempting fraud with his bankruptcy claim. According to court documents seen by The Blast in 2019,  Martin was accused of attempting to conceal his family mansion under his company in order to keep it. In 2018, the mansion was put up for sale, according to the lawsuit, in an attempt to keep the $2.7 million asking fee for the home. 

The lawsuit was closed after a financial resolution was reached between the trustee and Martin. It claimed Will and Jada had loaned Duane Martin $1.5 million of the money he used to purchase the home in the company’s name. There were no allegations made against Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith for any wrongdoings or knowledge of any wrongdoings. 

Duane Martin appeared in 2022’s Bel Air, the reimagination of The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air which streamed on Peacock. Martin played Steven Lewis and the show was created by Will and Morgan Cooper.

Jada Smith recently addressed “gay” and “swingers” rumours about Will Smith marriage

The Smiths’ marriage and its complexities isn’t one to shy away from the press. Last month, Jada Smith appeared on The Today Show where she addressed martial rumors head-on.

Speaking to the actress, host Hoda Kotb asked directly: “You and Will probably have more rumors about you and talk about you than others. They’re in an open marriage, they’re swingers, he’s gay, she’s gay. I mean a million things were out there. What, if anything, is true and did hearing all that stuff bother you?” 

“No,” Pinkett Smith responded. “You know, that’s part of it. I would say that none of that’s true. I definitely can understand why there’d be misunderstandings, but none of it’s true.”

Will Smith and Jada Smith split

During the same appearance, Jade confirmed she and Will Smith actually separated in 2016 but have remained married. Exactly what that means remains a little unclear, but Pinkett Smith explained that they didn’t want to officially divorce. 

“We love our family and we love each other. It’s more of a life partnership. Now, 10 years from now, Hoda, who knows?” said.

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