Jada Pinkett Smith recently revealed that she and her husband, actor Will Smith, have been separated for over seven years, although they maintain the appearance of a married couple during public appearances. The surprising admission came during an interview with Hoda Kotb on the “Today” show, as Pinkett Smith was promoting her new book, “Worthy.”
Pinkett Smith explained that she had made a promise that they would never get divorced and would work through any challenges in their relationship. She stated, “I just haven’t been able to break that promise.” The couple decided to separate in 2016 after feeling exhausted from trying to make the relationship work. According to Pinkett Smith, they were both stuck in their fantasies of what they thought the other person should be.
The decision to keep their separation a secret stemmed from not being ready to discuss it publicly and still trying to figure out how to be in partnership with each other. This secrecy included the period when Pinkett Smith was accused of having an affair with family friend August Alsina. She later confirmed her relationship with Alsina, describing it as an “entanglement” during a conversation on her show “Red Table Talk” with Smith.
This revelation means that the couple was separated during Will Smith’s infamous incident at the 2022 Academy Awards when he slapped comedian Chris Rock after a joke referencing Pinkett Smith’s alopecia. Pinkett Smith initially thought it was a skit until realizing it was not. Despite the separation, she stated she would stand by his side but also allow him to figure things out for himself.
Pinkett Smith acknowledged that their relationship remains complicated, and they are still working to understand what it looks like for them. She emphasized their deep love for each other and their commitment to figuring out their future together. The couple, who married in 1997, has two children together, Jaden and Willow, and Smith has another son, Trey, from a previous marriage. Pinkett Smith affectionately refers to Trey as her “bonus son.”
The admission by Jada Pinkett Smith has sparked significant interest and discussion regarding the nature of their relationship, given the long period of separation. It offers a glimpse into the complexities of personal relationships, even among high-profile public figures.