Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith’s separation in 2016 was recently revealed by Jada herself, ahead of the release of her memoir titled “Worthy.” The news came as a surprise to many, considering the couple’s reputation for being open about their relationship. PR experts have analyzed the timing of this revelation and how it may affect the public’s perception of the couple.
The release of Pinkett Smith’s memoir and her sit-down interview with Hoda Kotb have been strategically planned to generate interest and hype for the book. Molly McPherson, a crisis communication strategist, explains that celebrities often opt for an orchestrated approach when sharing bad news. Liza Anderson, the founder and president of Anderson Group Public Relations, admires Pinkett Smith’s calculated strategy and sees it as a genius move that successfully made headlines.
However, the decision to promote the book with a lie about their separation raises ethical concerns and may affect the public’s trust. McPherson points out that Pinkett Smith will have to face the challenge of potentially disappointing fans who do not appreciate being lied to. The timing of this revelation, at a time when the public is highly critical of celebrities’ public and private personas, may deepen the scrutiny and question the credibility of both Pinkett Smith and Will Smith.
While die-hard fans may remain loyal, casual followers and those who are aware of the couple may question their credibility. Despite this potential backlash, Anderson believes that Hollywood can be forgiving, and people may still be curious to read Pinkett Smith’s book to find out the reasons behind the lie.
Ultimately, only time will tell if fans will move past the deception or if it will harm the Smiths’ credibility. However, given their reputation for surprising revelations about their relationship, it’s only a matter of time before they bury this news under another shocking revelation.