Exclusive: Shocking Truth Behind Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith's Secret Separation Years Before Oscars Drama

Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith are presently in a state of separation. This separation predates the incident where he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars. Pinkett Smith, who is 52 years old, revealed in an interview with People on October 10th, that they are still in the process of figuring things out. She mentioned that they have been engaging in intense work together and emphasized the deep love they share. Their aim is to determine what this love means for their relationship.

During another interview with Today, the actress opened up about her reasons for not filing for divorce from her husband, Smith, aged 55, whom she married in 1997. "I believe it's simply because we're not ready yet. We are still in the process of figuring out how to truly be partners, and how to present that dynamic to the public. We hadn't found the right approach," Pinkett Smith candidly explained to Today on the same day.

According to Pinkett Smith, there are numerous reasons why her marriage ended up "fractured." She further expressed that by 2016, both she and her partner were simply drained from their constant efforts. They were still entangled in their own idealized visions of what they believed the other person should conform to.

Chris Rock and Will Smith ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

The pair, who share kids Jaden, 25, Willow, 22, no longer live together, but haven’t completely given up on their relationship.

"I made a vow to never give us a reason to end our marriage. We will face any challenges together, and I haven't been able to go back on that promise," Pinkett Smith expressed. "We currently live separately."

Throughout the years, Pinkett Smith and Smith's marriage has encountered significant highs and lows. In July 2020, August Alsina publicly stated that he had been romantically involved with Pinkett Smith, which she claims was with Smith's consent.

Pinkett Smith initially denied the musician's claims but later admitted during an episode of Red Table Talk that she was separated from Smith at the time of the "entanglement." She stated, "We were over. Then, as time passed, I became involved in a different kind of entanglement with August."

Following this revelation, the actor joined his wife on the talk show, and they discussed their decision to part ways, portraying it as a step towards healing. In July 2020, he said, "We agreed to separate for a while and focus on finding happiness individually. I truly believed that our relationship was a thing of the past."

Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith Lionel Hahn/Getty Images

At the 2022 Oscars, Pinkett Smith and Smith once again made headlines when Rock was slapped by Smith in response to a joke about Pinkett Smith's shaved head. (Pinkett Smith has openly shared her struggles with alopecia.)

Soon after the incident, Smith issued an apology. However, he ultimately faced a 10-year ban from all Oscars events after resigning from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

"I viewed it as a skit initially, assuming that Will couldn't possibly have actually hit him," Pinkett Smith recounted to People. "It was only when Will returned to his seat that I comprehended that it wasn't staged."

She further stated, "I'll support him and be there for him, but I also believe he needs to handle this situation on his own."

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Jada Pinkett Smith

Will Smith