Will Smith's Unexpected Reaction to Jada Pinkett Smith's Onscreen Kiss with Costar Revealed: Unveiling the Behind-the-Scenes Drama

Jada Pinkett-Smith, Tommy Davidson, and Will Smith. Getty Images (3)

Will Smith has a track record of being extremely protective of his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Nearly twenty-five years ago, actor Tommy Davidson reported a confrontation between himself and Smith regarding their on-screen kissing scene in the 1998 movie Woo. This incident took place long before Smith's recent outburst at the 2022 Oscars, where he adamantly advised Chris Rock to refrain from mentioning his wife's name.

"He entered the trailer while I was seated," Davidson, 59, recounted during an episode of Shannon Sharpe's "Club Shay Shay" podcast on Wednesday, October 11. "He stood over me and expressed his displeasure, saying, 'I don't appreciate that, man. I don't appreciate that.' Naturally, I played it cool and asked him to clarify. I maintained a polite demeanor due to the difference in our positions, which can be attributed to simple physics."

Davidson expressed his curiosity about what had angered Smith and expressed his desire to uncover the truth. He suggested having a private conversation outside to address the issue. However, Pinkett Smith vehemently opposed the idea of speaking privately.

Interestingly, Davidson remained unaware of the reason behind Smith's confrontation for over two decades. Before including this incident in his 2020 memoir titled Living in Color: What's Funny About Me, Davidson had to obtain permission. He discovered that one cannot include information about someone in a book without their consent.

Tommy Davidson and Jada Pinkett-Smith in ‘Woo.’ Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Davidson forwarded the book quotes to a friend of Smith's who not only endorsed these passages but also clarified that Smith had been distressed by Davidson and Pinkett Smith's kissing scene in Woo.

Although the onscreen kiss had been prearranged in the script, Davidson remembered that producers requested them to film the scene earlier than planned, without allowing ample time for rehearsal. Initially hesitant, Davidson eventually complied when the producers assured him that Pinkett Smith had given her consent.

"When emotions run high, common sense tends to reach its lowest point," stated Davidson, referring to Smith's unexpected reaction to the kiss.

Decades after their wedding in 1997, before Woo's release, the Smiths once again had their marriage in the spotlight.

Smith, who has shared children Jaden (25) and Willow with Pinkett Smith and Trey (30) with ex Sheree Zampino, received criticism for slapping Rock at the 2022 Oscars. This occurred after the comedian, aged 58, made a joke about Pinkett Smith's shaved head. As the host of Red Table Talk, Pinkett Smith has openly discussed her struggle with alopecia, a condition that results in hair loss. The incident caused backlash not only against Smith, who was subsequently banned from the Academy, but also directed blame towards Pinkett Smith for instigating the issue.

Pinkett Smith called the extent of the rumors "absurd" in an interview with People published on Thursday, October 12. She also acknowledged that she understood the false narrative surrounding her, including rumors of infidelity. In addition, Pinkett Smith recently shared that she and Smith have been separated since 2016 but are actively working on their marriage.

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Jada Pinkett Smith

Will Smith