![](https://dhenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Jada-Pinkett-Smith-and-Will-Smith-have-been-separated-for.jpg)
The actress opened up about the true status of her marriage in an interview with Today, and confirmed that she parted ways with the Oscar-winner back in 2016. When asked why they kept this separation a secret, she responded, “I think just not being ready yet, still trying to figure out between the two of us how to be in partnership and in regards to how do we present that to people…and we hadn’t figured that out.”
Shedding some light on the factors that led to their separation, she said that there were ‘a lot of things’ that contributed to the split. “I think by the time we got to 2016, we were just exhausted with trying. I think we were both stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be,” she said.
Despite considering divorce, Jada ultimately decided against it, explaining, “I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce… We will work through whatever, and I just haven’t been able to break that promise.”
She emphasized that they are still in the process of navigating their relationship.
In a separate interview with People magazine, Jada discussed the ongoing work they are doing on their relationship, stating, “We’re still figuring it out. 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.”
This revelation comes in the wake of the 2022 Oscars, where Will Smith won the Best Actor award for his role in “King Richard”. His win, however, was shrouded by his controversial on-stage slap. The actor slapped comedian Chris Rock over a joke about Jada’s shaved head, prompting the Academy to ban him from the awards show.
Reacting to the incident, Jada recalled her initial disbelief, thinking it was a skit. She revealed that she she realized it was real when she saw Will coming back to his seat. Opening up about her concerns for Will’s well-being and the journey he is on, she said, “I’m going to be by his side, but also allow him to have to figure this out for himself.”
Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith tied the knot in 1997, and they share two children, Jaden Smith and Willow Smith.
Oscars 2022: Will Smith slaps Chris Rock over joke about wife Jada Pinkett Smith, apologises after winning best actor award for ‘King Richard’