California: In a remarkable and candid interview with seasoned journalist Hoda Kotb, celebrated actress and television show host of Red Table Talk, Jada Pinkett Smith has unveiled deeply personal truths in her recently released memoir, ‘Worthy’- a candid and gripping story of a global superstar.
Currently on a press tour to promote the book, the producer, musicians and now an author, Pinkett Smith has disclosed that she and her husband, acclaimed actor Will Smith, have been living separate lives since 2016 while continuing to make public appearances as a couple. The couple share three children, son, Jaden Smith, 25, and daughter, Willow Smith, 22 and Trey Smith, 30, from Will Smith’s first marriage to Sheree Zampino.
The façade of unity was, in Pinkett Smith’s words, a conscious effort to navigate the intricacies of their high-profile marriage. She confessed, “We have been living completely separate lives…We were exhausted with trying, stuck in the fantasy of what we thought the other person should be“ exposing the emotional turmoil the couple experienced during the years of their perceived togetherness.
Notably, the actress underlines her steadfast commitment to not breaking the sacred vows of matrimony despite the challenging circumstances: “There would never be a reason to divorce…haven’t been able to beak that promise.”
Explaining why they did not announce their separation back in 2016, Pinkett Smith told Kotb, “ (we were) not ready to publicly announce our separation” and needed time to figure things out.
This declaration comes as a profound surprise to the public, particularly considering the recent incident at the 2022 Oscars where Will Smith famously confronted comedian Chris Rock over a joke aimed at Pinkett Smith’s struggle with alopecia. The incident served as a public testament to the complexities of their relationship.
Jada Pinkett Smith’s memoir, Worthy, delves into her personal battles with alopecia, the profound mental health struggles she faced, and the intricate dynamics of her relationships with her parents, Tupac Shakur, and Will Smith, calling Shakur her “soulmate”. The memoir courageously addresses critical issues surrounding mental health, marriage, self-acceptance, and self-love.
Will and Jada’s marital status shines a spotlight on the sobering statistics surrounding divorce in the United States. According to a statistical report by Wilkinson and Finkbeiner, a staggering 50 percent of marriages in the United States ultimately conclude in divorce or separation. The same report underscores the alarming statistic that a divorce occurs every 42 seconds within the country.
Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith have been married legally since 1997 before their private separation in 2016 and public announcement in 2023.