Jada Pinkett Smith disclosed that she and her husband, Will Smith, have been leading separate lives since 2016. In a preview from her upcoming NBC News special with Hoda Kotb, she explained that they hadn’t publicly acknowledged their separation earlier because they weren’t ready to do so. They were still in the process of figuring out how to be partners and how to communicate this to the public.
Pinkett Smith, aged 52, and Smith, aged 55, tied the knot in 1997 and clarified that they haven’t legally divorced. During the time of their separation, their marriage faced considerable scrutiny. In 2020, singer August Alsina revealed his romantic involvement with Pinkett Smith, a revelation she later confirmed during an episode of “Red Table Talk.” This happened during a challenging period in their relationship.
The 2022 Oscars incident, where Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock after a joke about Pinkett Smith’s hair loss due to alopecia, was also a significant event. In a recent interview with People, Pinkett Smith initially believed it was a comedic skit but realized it was real when Will began walking back to his seat. She immediately checked on his well-being.
In her interview with Hoda Kotb, Pinkett Smith explained that their marriage fractured due to various factors. By 2016, they both felt exhausted from trying to make their relationship work and were still holding onto unrealistic expectations of each other.
Pinkett Smith had made a promise to herself that their marriage would never end in divorce, but she hasn’t been able to break that promise. She discusses more about her marriage, career, and early life in her upcoming memoir, “Worthy,” set to be released on October 17.