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Jada Pinkett Smith has recently opened up about having an affair with a celebrity most people wouldn’t expect.
Jada, 52, is a well-known American actress, singer, and talk show host, recognized for her roles in films like The Nutty Professor, the Madagascar animated movies, and Girls Trip.
Since 1997, she has been married to the Hollywood icon Will Smith, with whom she shares two children: Jaden, 26, and Willow, 23.
The Media Scrutiny on Their Marriage
Over the years, Jada and Will’s marriage has faced intense public scrutiny. Their relationship made global headlines in 2022 when Will slapped comedian Chris Rock during the Oscars.
It all started when Rock, who was hosting the event, made a joke about Jada’s shaved head, comparing her to Demi Moore’s look in G.I. Jane (1997).
Jada had previously opened up about living with alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss. After Rock’s comment, Will walked up on stage and slapped him, shocking the audience. Upon returning to his seat, Will yelled: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth.”
Despite the dramatic incident, the night continued with Will winning the Best Actor award for his role in King Richard. However, the slap overshadowed what should have been the highlight of his career.
Following the altercation, Will was banned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for 10 years. The organization stated that the awards ceremony was “overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior” displayed by Will.
Another Scandalous Moment: Jada’s Affair
But the Oscars incident wasn’t the only controversy the couple has faced. In fact, an even bigger scandal had already occurred before the Oscars in 2020.
Between 2018 and 2023, Jada hosted a talk show called Red Table Talk on Facebook, alongside her mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, and daughter Willow. The trio often interviewed guests and discussed a variety of topics.
One of the most talked-about moments came in 2020 when Jada and Will sat down for a candid conversation. During this episode, Jada admitted to having an affair with August Alsina, a 31-year-old hip-hop and R&B singer.
Jada explained: “It all started with him just needing some help, me wanting to help his health, his mental state.”
She added that the family initially offered support to August for his health issues. “We found all those different resources to help pull him through, and from there, you and I were going through a very difficult time,” she said.
Jada clarified that she and August had since ended their relationship.
Permission and the Truth About the Affair
During the Red Table Talk episode, the couple addressed rumors suggesting that Will had given Jada permission to have the affair. Jada set the record straight, saying, “One of the things I want to clear up that was kind of swirling in the press was you giving permission, which the only person who can give permission in that particular circumstance is myself.”
She explained further, “But what August was actually trying to communicate – because I could actually see how he would perceive it as permission because we were separated amicably – I think he also wanted to make it clear that he’s not a homewrecker, which he’s not.”
A Shocking Revelation in 2023
Then, in 2023, Jada dropped another bombshell about her marriage.
In a primetime NBC News special with Hoda Kotb, she revealed that she and Will had been living “completely different” lives since 2016. “I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce,” she shared. “We will work through whatever. And I just haven’t been able to break that promise.”
In a separate interview with People magazine, Jada added, “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.”
Will later addressed these revelations in an email to The New York Times, writing, “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.”
