Title: Jada Pinkett Smith Reveals Six-Year Separation from Will Smith and Open Marriage
Subtitle: Actress opens up about her relationship with the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star in an exclusive interview
By Francesca Bacardi | Published Oct. 11, 2023, 8:13 a.m. ET
In a candid interview with People magazine, actress Jada Pinkett Smith revealed that she and her husband, actor Will Smith, had been separated for six years before the infamous incident at the 2022 Oscars, where Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock. Pinkett Smith disclosed this information as part of her journey to “figure out” her relationship with Smith.
“We’re still figuring it out,” Pinkett Smith shared. “We’ve been doing some really heavy-duty work together. We just got deep love for each other, and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us.”
Pinkett Smith also expressed her unwavering support for her longtime husband, despite the controversial incident with Rock. She initially believed it was a skit but soon realized the seriousness of the situation. The actress stated, “I’m going to be by his side but also allow him to have to figure this out for himself.”
In a sneak peek of her upcoming interview with Hoda Kotb, Pinkett Smith revealed that she and Smith still live separately. The couple, who have always presented a united front in public, never hinted at any trouble in their marriage, attending red carpet events together and even purchasing a new estate. However, singer August Alsina claimed to have had an affair with Pinkett Smith in 2020, to which Smith allegedly gave his consent.
Pinkett Smith’s upcoming memoir, “Worthy,” set to release on Oct. 17, is expected to shed more light on the intricacies of their relationship. Despite their separation, the couple has embraced the concept of an open marriage, with Smith stating that they believe their union should not “feel like a prison.”
While their unconventional arrangement may not be suitable for everyone, Smith emphasized the importance of the freedom and unconditional support they give each other, defining it as the highest form of love. It is worth noting that Pinkett Smith’s “entanglement” with Alsina led to public speculation that she was the only one involved in an extramarital affair, but according to the author of the People article, that was not the case.
As the world awaits the release of Pinkett Smith’s memoir, it has become evident that their relationship is a complex one, filled with challenges and personal growth. Regardless of their current marital status, it is clear that Pinkett Smith will always be by her husband’s side.