Jada Pinkett Smith’s book “Worthy” isn’t even out yet — and she’s already dropping bombshells. The actress, 52, revealed in an upcoming interview with the Today show’s Hoda Kotb that she and husband Will Smith “live separately,” after years of rumors about their marriage.
Pinkett Smith told People that she and the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” alum, 55, had actually been separated for six years before his infamous 2022 Chris Rock Oscars slap.
The couple decided to live separate lives beginning in 2016, and they’re currently seven years separated. According to Kotb, Pinkett Smith did consider legally divorcing him at some point.
Despite their separation, the Hollywood power couple continued to attend red carpet events together during that time. As for why they chose that route?
“I think just not being ready yet,” Pinkett Smith explained of not sharing their personal matter to the world.
“Still trying to figure out between the two of us how to be in partnership, right? And in regards to how do we present that to people? And we hadn’t figured that out.”
The “Girls Trip” star took it as far as keeping up appearances when she was interviewed on “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen” in 2017 — one year into their separation.
When asked by Cohen how they keep the romance alive after 23 years, she became visibly uncomfortable.
“How do I keep it hot?” she responded at the time, alongside longtime friend Queen Latifah. “You know, maybe — I don’t know. I mean, I’m baffled really.”
Will and Jada have been married since 1997 and share son Jaden, 25, and daughter Willow, 22, together. (Will welcomed son Trey, 30, with ex wife Sheree Zampino.)
“We’ve been doing some really heavy-duty work together,” she told People. “We just got deep love for each other and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us.”
She continued: “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.”
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