Back in October, Jada Pinkett Smith made a shocking revelation about her husband Will Smith.
While appearing on the Today show, she revealed she’d been separated from her Will for the past 7 years.
She told Hoda Kotb, “It was not a divorce on paper, but it was a divorce.”
Days later, Jada gave a clarification on her marital status, which sparked more questions.
Jada shared that she and Will are working on rekindling their romance.
In an interview with People Magazine, she said, “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.”
She also clarified rumors about their marriage.
Jada noted that neither of them has had an affair and did not have an open relationship.
Jada said that her brief fling with August Alsina was during the time she and Will were separated.
“I think where that got confusing is that as time went on, there were different stages in my marriage where Will and I decided we were not together,” she explained. “We didn’t tell the public, where I was actually thinking about divorcing, separating. There’ve been several of those where we’ve gone and lived our separate lives. So I think within that is where people might’ve thought that, ‘Oh, they must be having an open relationship.”
She additionally told the outlet that she credits her family with helping her find self-worth.
“My children, they’re little gurus. They’ve taught me a deep sense of self-acceptance,” she said.
Jada added, “They love every part of me. The level of love, unconditional love that they have for me and their dad. And it’s one thing to want to be the person that gives that unconditional love. And then there’s, to be the recipient of that.”
On the same week as the interview, Will shared that Jada’s memoir helped him see that it was worth working on their marriage.
“When you’ve been with someone for more than half of your life a sort of emotional blindness sets in, and you can all too easily lose your sensitivity to their hidden nuances and subtle beauties,” he told The New York Times in a story published on Oct. 14.
When Jada appeared on podcast On Purpose with Jay Shetty on Oct. 16, the host shared an emotional letter that Will wrote to his estranged wife.
In the letter, Will wrote, “I just turned the final page of Worthy. It is amazing to realize that despite having lived most of my life by your side, I still found myself shocked and stunned and caught off guard, laughing, then inspired, then heartbroken. I was all over the place.”
He expressed his affection for her while admiring her strength.
“You are one of one, a rare blend of power and delicate sensitivity. I know it wasn’t easy to excavate the depths in that way. I applaud and honor you. If I had read this book 30 years ago, I definitely would have hugged you more. I’ll start now. Welcome to the Authors Club. I love you endlessly. Now go get some Merlot and take a rest,” he continued on his letter.
Will also made his love for Jada be known in a big way.
On Oct. 18, Jada was in Washington, D.C. for a chat promoting her memoir alongside CNN’s Laura Coates.
Laura asked Jada, “What did your family think about this book? You know what, actually, why don’t I just ask your family? I think they’re here. I know your mom is here.” She then asked, “But, is anyone else here?”
Will made a surprise appearance!
He told Laura, “I had huge dreams of what I wanted to do in the world and in my life, and I was on fire with a vision. And as I stand here before you today, I am happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life.”
He then shared that his dreams were “largely built on the foundation of Jada’s sacrifices.”
At the time, Will hinted that they’d gotten back together.
“Our union is a sloppy experiment in unconditional love,” he said. “Jada is the best friend I have ever had on this planet, and I am going to show up for her and support her for the rest of my life.”
Before Will made the surprise appearance at the event, Jada said she and Will are “good.”
She added, “The truth of the matter is I’m not leaving Will’s side and he’s not going to leave mine. We’ve been on a powerful quest. And I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”
Over a month later, Jada and Will have shared a new update on their marriage.
In a preview clip from the Nov. 28 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, Jada confirmed she and Will are together again—and nothing will break them up this time.
“I feel like maybe your and his shadow separated in a way in this book, whether they stay together forever or not. It sounds like you’re staying together forever,” said Drew. Jada responded, “We’re staying together forever.” Jada then joked, “I tried, we tried,” referencing their years-long separation.
Jada and Will have been married for 26 years.
Their love story began thanks to Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Jada auditioned to play his onscreen girlfriend Lisa in 1994, but did not get the part. She still made a lasting impression on the sitcom’s star.
At the time of meeting, Will was still married to his first wife, Sheree Zampino.
They finalized their divorce in 1995.
Will knew Jada was the one while he was still married to Sheree.
“I had a realization I wasn’t with the person I was supposed to be with,” Will said on Red Table Talk. “I was sitting in a stall and I was crying and laughing uncontrollably, and I knew [Jada] was the woman I was supposed to be with, but I was never getting divorced…I went back out, sat down with Sheree and started going back on with my life.” He waited until ending his marriage to begin his romance with Jada.
Will and Jada started dating in 1995.
He asked her if she was seeing anyone and she said no. Will then told her, “Cool, you’re seeing me now.”
On their wedding day, Jada was already three months pregnant with their son Jaden.
Jaden was born on July 8, 1998.
He’s the couple’s first child together, but Will’s second son. Will shares 31-year-old son Trey with Sheree.
Two years later, they welcomed their daughter Willow.
She was born on Oct. 31, 2000.
Both children became famous in their own right.
Willow is known as a pop punk artist, while Jaden is a rapper and actor.
With the renewal of Jada and Will’s romance, the Smith family can now be more tight knit than ever.
