Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have been navigating a long, quiet separation for years. Although papers have not been filed, the two have lived apart for more than seven years. The actor opened up about the arrangement in a television interview, revealing a truth that many had speculated about for a long time.
NBC News shared a preview Wednesday of journalist Hoda Kotb’s interview with Pinkett Smith. In the preview, Kotb notes that the couple had not publicly confirmed their split before, saying, “They weren’t ready yet.” The forthcoming memoir, Worthy, will shed more light on their decision to keep things private until the moment of publication, which is scheduled for October 17.
Pinkett Smith, 52, and Smith, 55, have been married since 1997, and while they never formalized a divorce, they have walked separate paths since 2016. Over the years, they continued to present themselves as a united couple in public, appearing together at numerous events despite living apart in daily life.
Their public appearances together have included moments at high-profile events, such as the 2021 ceremony of the Hollywood Academy Awards, where Smith was involved in a highly publicized incident with a comedian after a joke about his appearance. That night kept him from attending Oscars-related events for a decade, marking a significant moment in their shared history and public narrative around the couple.
Kotb’s interview was filmed in Baltimore, Pinkett Smith’s hometown, and parts of the conversation reveal personal reflections that shape their current understanding of family, friendship, and the limits of public life. The full interview will be aired in full on the 13th, offering insights from Pinkett Smith about how she views her marriage and the dynamic she and Smith have cultivated over the years.
During the discussion, Pinkett Smith acknowledged that the marriage faltered due to multiple factors. She described a fatigue that built up over time, noting that by 2016 both partners were exhausted from trying to meet each other’s expectations. She also touched on the idea that both were clinging to a fantasy of who the other person should be, rather than embracing the real, evolving individuals they had become.
The couple has two children, and the narrative surrounding their relationship has long fascinated fans and observers. Despite acknowledging the strain, neither party has shown a willingness to pursue a formal divorce, indicating an ongoing, though unconventional, commitment to a status that remains in flux. These revelations add a new dimension to a story that has captivated audiences for decades, illustrating how personal choices intersect with public life and legacy.