Jada Pinkett Smith has revealed that she and Will Smith have been living separate lives since 2016, despite remaining legally married. In an exclusive preview of her NBC News prime-time interview with Hoda Kotb, set to air October 13, Pinkett Smith opens up about the true state of their relationship—something they’ve kept private for years.
Married in 1997, the couple quietly split nearly two decades later. Pinkett Smith explains that by 2016, their relationship had reached a point of emotional fatigue, both struggling to meet each other’s expectations. They chose not to disclose the separation earlier, she says, because they weren’t ready and were still trying to understand how to move forward as partners, even if no longer romantically involved.
Though divorce has been considered, Pinkett Smith says she has no plans to follow through with it, stating firmly, “There will never be a reason for us to get a divorce.”
Their unconventional relationship has been a topic of public fascination, especially following Pinkett Smith’s revelation of an “entanglement” with singer August Alsina during a difficult period in her marriage. Both addressed it openly in a 2020 episode of Red Table Talk, acknowledging they were going through a rough patch at the time.
Jada and Will share two children—Jaden and Willow—while Will also has a son, Trey, from a previous marriage. Pinkett Smith’s upcoming memoir, Worthy, dives deep into her personal journey, from battling depression to reclaiming her voice and exploring her bond with late rapper Tupac Shakur, a close friend from her youth.
This candid revelation offers a new perspective on a marriage long held up as iconic, showing that even under the spotlight, relationships are layered, complex, and deeply human.