In a recent interview with People magazine, Jada Pinkett Smith broke her silence on the infamous Oscars slap involving her husband, Will Smith, and comedian Chris Rock. She also revealed that she and Will have been separated for six years prior to the incident.
The Oscars Incident: More Than a Skit
Jada initially thought the slap was a skit when Will stormed the stage after Chris Rock made a joke about her bald head. “I thought, ‘This is a skit,'” Jada said. “It wasn’t until Will started to walk back to his chair that I even realized it wasn’t a skit.” The joke was particularly sensitive due to Jada’s public battle with alopecia. Will’s reaction led to his resignation from the Academy and a 10-year ban from attending events like the Oscars.
The State of the Smiths’ Marriage
Jada disclosed that she and Will had been quietly separated for six years before the 2022 Oscars. “We’re still figuring it out,” she told People. “We’ve been doing some really heavy-duty work together. We just got deep love for each other and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us.”
Why the Separation?
When asked why their marriage crumbled, Jada responded, “I think by the time we got to 2016, we were just exhausted with trying. I think we were both kind of just still stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be.” She added that they live separately but have no plans for divorce.
Will’s Apology and Moving Forward
Will has since apologized for the slap in various statements and video posts. “There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment,” he said. Jada’s new memoir, “Worthy,” will be released on Oct. 17, potentially shedding more light on their relationship and her personal journey.
What’s Next for the Smiths?
It’s clear that both Jada and Will are in a period of reflection and growth. With Jada’s upcoming memoir and their ongoing work on their relationship, it seems the couple is committed to figuring out their future together.
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