Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, have been separated since 2016. This news was revealed by Jada on NBC while promoting her new book entitled “Worthy.” Rumors have been swirling about the status of their relationship for many years. A poorly kept secret is their alleged open relationship that was happening even before the 2016 separation. There are also rumors about Will Smith’s alleged fluid sexuality. Much of what has been alleged to take place behind the scenes in their marriage has not been confirmed aside from their status of separation Jada Pinkett confirmed.
Will and Jada have done their best to keep up the facade of a strong marriage over the years. Back in July 2020, Will appeared on Jada’s “Red Table Talk” talk show on Facebook Live to address the rumors of her having an affair. She confessed to cheating on Will with 25-year-old August Alsina. The young man was actually a friend of her son, Jaden, and lived at the home that Will and Jada share together. The interview was seen as an obviously embarrassing moment for Will. He was on camera having to re-live a moment in which his wife betrayed him. The newly revealed context further complicates matters due to them being separated for four years at the time of the interview.
The now-infamous Oscars slap incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock also has new context. To refresh, Will Smith approached Chris Rock on stage and slapped him across the face after Rock told a joke about his wife, as he was doing with everyone else in the crowd. Will and Jada had been separated for six years at that point. Will may have had a prior issue with Chris that goes far beyond simple jokes.
Jada alleges that rumors about her marriage with Will ending began to bubble up every summer. She says that one of these summers, Chris Rock called her, assuming that she and Will were no longer together, and asked her out. Jada says she refused his advance and that Chris was apologetic. It is safe to assume that Jada may have told this to Will and Will decided to act out on Chris due to this and the “offensive” joke.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have been married since 1997 and have two adult children, Jaden and Willow. Will also has a child from a previous marriage, Trey.
SOURCES:
Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith Separated in 2016
Jada Pinkett Smith & Will Smith Have Been Separated for 7 Years
Jada Pinkett Smith reveals she and Will Smith have been separated since 2016 | CNN
Jada Pinkett reveals she and Will Smith have been separated for over 7 years, but refuse to divorce | Fox News
Jada Pinkett Smith Reveals She’s Separated From Will Smith in Hoda Kotb Interview
Jada Pinkett Smith Interview: Marriage, Oscars Slap and More (Exclusive)
Jada Pinkett Smith: Chris Rock Asked Me Out Before Oscars Slap
Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, August Alsina: A Timeline
