Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith have been living separate lives since 2016, according to Jada Pinkett Smith. The couple has not previously gone public with their separation because they were not ready yet. They were still trying to figure out how to be in partnership, Pinkett Smith explained. The couple, who have been married since 1997, are not legally divorced.
Their marriage has come under scrutiny during their separation. In July 2020, singer August Alsina revealed that he had been romantically involved with Pinkett Smith, which she confirmed during an episode of “Red Table Talk.” Pinkett Smith referred to the relationship as an “entanglement” and explained that they were going through a difficult time at the time.
Another incident that brought attention to their marriage was the Oscars slap. During the 2022 Academy Awards, Will Smith stormed the stage and slapped presenter Chris Rock after he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith being bald due to her alopecia. Pinkett Smith has opened up about the incident, admitting that she initially thought it was a comedic bit but soon realized it was real. She expressed concern for her husband’s well-being after the incident.
Pinkett Smith attributed the fracture in their marriage to “a lot of things.” She stated that by 2016, they were both exhausted from trying and stuck in their fantasies of what they thought the other person should be. Despite the challenges, Pinkett Smith has made a promise to herself and Smith that there would never be a reason for them to divorce.
More details about Jada Pinkett Smith’s marriage, career, and early life will be revealed in her forthcoming memoir, “Worthy,” which is set to release on October 17.