The actress reflects on their ‘life partnership’ despite separating in 2016

Jada Pinkett Smith recently opened up about her complex relationship with husband Will Smith, revealing that despite separating in 2016, they chose not to divorce because it “didn’t feel right.” The pair, who wed in 1997 and share two children, Jaden and Willow, describe their bond as a “life partnership.”

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Pinkett Smith explained that their separation was initially aimed at divorce but said, “We don’t know why, but here we are.” The decision stemmed from the need to redefine their relationship after marrying young. She acknowledged that while they live apart, she envisions a potential reunion in the future, joking, “Will’s getting old… he’s gonna need someone to take care of him.”

The couple’s marriage has often been in the spotlight, particularly following Pinkett Smith’s 2020 revelation about her “entanglement” with singer August Alsina. Despite speculation and scrutiny, she has denied having an open marriage.

Pinkett Smith also defended herself against claims that she influenced her husband’s controversial reaction at the 2022 Oscars when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock following a joke about her alopecia. She said, “Nobody can make Will Smith do anything, and surely not me.” She added that while Rock’s joke felt insensitive given her experience with hair loss, her reaction was her own and unrelated to her husband’s actions.

Following the incident, Will Smith faced public backlash, resigned from the Academy, and was banned from Oscar events for a decade. The experience prompted the couple to embark on a “new path” together, maintaining their commitment to supporting each other despite their unconventional arrangement.