CNN — Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have expressed that their marriage is not conventional. Pinkett Smith recently revealed that they have been living separate lives since 2016. Here is some of what they have said about marriage throughout the years.
Will Smith celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2017 with a throwback picture of their wedding. He wrote a heartfelt caption that emphasized what he had learned about love. He stated that love is like gardening, and he has focused on helping Pinkett Smith blossom into what she wants to be, rather than demanding that she conform to his ego. He expressed dedication to nurturing her deepest truth.
In the same year, Pinkett Smith appeared on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” and addressed a viewer question about the craziest rumor she has heard about her family. She laughed and said that it was the rumor that she and Will were swingers. She explained that they have amazing chemistry, love to laugh and learn together, and just genuinely enjoy each other’s company.
Pinkett Smith appeared on Sway’s Universe in 2018 and asserted that she and Will are family, regardless of any external perceptions of their marriage. She stated that she would always support him for life.
When asked about handling indiscretions in her marriage, Pinkett Smith acknowledged that partners aren’t perfect and may hurt each other. She highlighted the importance of accepting flaws and imperfections.
In a podcast interview in the same year, Will Smith revealed that he and Pinkett Smith no longer refer to themselves as married but as life partners. He explained that they see themselves as being together for life with no deal breakers, offering each other unconditional support.
In 2021, Smith spoke to GQ about his forthcoming memoir, which explores the ups and downs of his relationship with Pinkett Smith. He mentioned a difficult period in their marriage when he made a documentary about her life that she found ego-driven. This led to a realization that their marriage wasn’t working, and they decided to become non-monogamous. Smith explained that Pinkett Smith never believed in traditional marriage and they had discussions about what constituted relational perfection. He emphasized that their approach may not be suitable for everyone.
The Smiths appeared on “Red Table Talk” in 2020 to address Pinkett Smith’s romantic relationship with singer August Alsina. They described it as an “entanglement” that occurred during a challenging time in their marriage but ultimately found a place of unconditional love.
They playfully recited their version of the motto from Will’s “Bad Boys” movie, stating, “We ride together, we die together. Bad marriage for life.”