Jada Pinkett Smith has revealed that she and her husband Will Smith have been living "completely separate lives" since 2016. In a clip from her forthcoming NBC News primetime special with Hoda Kotb, Pinkett Smith explained that they had kept their separation private as they were still trying to figure out how to navigate their partnership.
The couple, married since 1997, had faced scrutiny during their time apart. In July 2020, singer August Alsina revealed his romantic involvement with Pinkett Smith, a revelation she later confirmed during an episode of "Red Table Talk" with her husband. She described it as an "entanglement" that occurred during a challenging period in their marriage.
The Oscars slap incident in 2022 added more fuel to the spotlight on their relationship. During the awards ceremony, Will Smith confronted and slapped presenter Chris Rock after he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's hair. She has been open about her struggles with alopecia, a condition causing hair loss.
The couple has not legally divorced, despite living separately, and they have been working on how to present their relationship to the public as they continue to navigate their unique circumstances
