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Jada Pinkett Smith Opens Up: Separated from Will Smith for 6 Years Before Oscars Slap

by Venus Sanders

Black women already face challenges in finding a good, quality man, and here is a woman with a good black man who believes in family and marriage. However, at every turn, she seems to insist on embarrassing him. This is a couple whom, at one point, the public lovingly embraced, but now there is discord, primarily caused by one party in their relationship. Jada Pinkett Smith recently disclosed that she and Will Smith had been living separately for six years before the infamous 2022 Oscars incident when he slapped Chris Rock.

Image Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor / Getty Images


In an interview with People, the "Girls Trip" star stated, "We're still figuring it out." She expressed their deep love for one another and their commitment to finding their way forward.


Despite the shocking slap, which she initially thought was a skit, Jada Pinkett Smith affirmed her unwavering support for the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" star. She mentioned her dedication to standing by him while allowing him to navigate the situation independently.


The actress recalled her initial reaction when the slap occurred. She had assumed it was a scripted act until Will Smith walked back to his seat, at which point she asked him, "Are you OK?"


In an upcoming interview with Hoda Kotb on NBC, Jada Pinkett Smith revealed that she and the "I Am Legend" star still maintain separate living arrangements.


It's worth noting that despite their separation for several years, there were no indications of marital trouble within the family. They attended red carpet events together and even acquired a new property. However, in 2020, singer August Alsina claimed that he had an affair with Pinkett Smith, alleging that the Oscar-winning actor had given his consent. While the couple's representative refuted these claims at the time, Pinkett Smith later acknowledged the "entanglement" with Alsina and clarified that she and Smith were privately separated during that period.


About a year later, Smith publicly disclosed that he and the "Scream 2" actress had an open marriage, believing that their union should not resemble a prison. He emphasized that he doesn't recommend their path for everyone and that the freedom and unconditional support they offer one another represent their unique definition of love.


Smith also acknowledged that the public perception had led to the belief that Jada Pinkett Smith was the only one involved in an extramarital affair. However, according to the article, this was not the case.

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