Jada Pinkett Smith Opens Up: Divorce Didn’t Seem Right for Us.

Jada Pinkett Smith has revealed that she and her husband Will Smith had initially considered getting a divorce after their separation seven years ago but ultimately decided against it because it didn’t align with their feelings. Despite parting ways in 2016, she characterizes their bond as a “life partnership.” When asked about the distinction between separation and divorce in an interview with The Sunday Times magazine, she explained, “We simply required the time.”

Will and I tied the knot when we were quite young, and together, we experienced both wonderful and less-than-ideal moments. We reached a point where we needed to take separate paths to let go of some of the less mature expectations we had about marriage.

It’s worth noting that when we decided to separate in 2016, our initial intention was to get a divorce. However, for some reason, neither of us felt that divorce was the right choice. We can’t explain why, but that’s where we find ourselves today.

The couple exchanged vows in 1997 and are parents to son Jaden and daughter Willow. Additionally, Smith, aged 55, has a son named Trey from his prior marriage to Sheree Zampino.

Pinkett Smith has previously refuted rumors of an open relationship, and speculation regarding the state of their marriage intensified in 2020 when the 52-year-old actress acknowledged she had been in an “entanglement” with singer August Alsina, who is 31 years old.

The star of “The Matrix” disclosed that she currently doesn’t reside with her husband. However, she believes there’s a possibility of them reuniting in the future, stating, “To be completely honest, I think we will eventually live together again. I genuinely believe that. Will is aging, and though I’m staying youthful, it’s becoming evident to me that he’ll require someone to care for him.

Despite their separation, the actress emphasized that they continue to provide mutual support, which is why she stood by his side at the 2022 Oscars ceremony when he received a nomination for the best actor award, eventually winning it.

Their presence at the event led to the well-known incident where Will Smith took the stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock, the host, following a joke about his wife’s hair loss.

The actress strongly rejected the idea that she encouraged him to take action, stating, “Some people believed that I gave Will a certain look and somehow ‘influenced’ his actions. But let me clarify something first: nobody has the power to compel Will Smith to do anything, certainly not me. If I could influence Will’s actions in any way, the past three decades of our marriage would have been markedly different. Let’s keep it real, shall we?”

She further noted, “It’s rather ironic how women are often perceived as, how should I put it, inconsequential? Until a man does something disagreeable, and suddenly she is seen as having all the influence in the world to make him act in that manner.”

She added, “Whatever Will’s response was, that’s a matter for Will to address. However, when Chris made that remark, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. I’m well aware of how genuine and serious alopecia is, and to mock a condition that people have no control over, something that makes them feel ashamed? So, I didn’t find it amusing, and I didn’t feel like laughing, because I’m not devoid of empathy.”

The incident led to widespread criticism of Smith, resulting in his subsequent resignation from the Academy and a subsequent 10-year ban from attending any Oscar-related events.

The actor later took to Instagram to issue a statement, apologizing for his “unacceptable and inexcusable” behavior during the ceremony.

Pinkett Smith revealed to the magazine that, following the attention generated by the event, the couple began to “forge a new path” together.