Over twenty-five years and two kids later, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett have remained the ultimate sweethearts, reliving each new day like newlyweds.
Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett have stood out among Hollywood’s power couples, spending every waking hour in the spotlight
Likewise, their romance has continued to flourish, with every day bringing forth a new adventure to keep them reliving the early days of their love story.
Interestingly, these two were not ones to remain tight-lipped, even when it came to their most intimate details.
Perhaps, they have been too much of an open book in recent times, so much that what was once considered juicy details and thrilling exposés have become a source of public outrage and repulsion.
Notwithstanding, no doubt these two, who have found what works for them, have something special going. In honor of their timeless love, here’s a look into their love story, from their first meeting to date.
How Did Will Smith And Jada Pinkett Meet?
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett ran into each other for the first time in 1994 when the latter auditioned for the part of Will’s girlfriend on “The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.”
Although she never got the part, the moment ended up paving the way to a friendship between the duo that eventually morphed into a blissful romance.
Pinkett once revealed that she lost the role to Nia Long because the producers thought her not tall enough to play Will’s girlfriend.
The Start Of A Love Story
Will and Pinkett sustained a beautiful real-life friendship thereon. At the time, the actor was married to Sheree Zampino and they had a son, Trey Smith. But that didn’t stop him from nurturing his friendship with Pinkett into something deeper.
In 1995, he and Zampino divorced, giving him the chance to pursue a romance with his to-be wife that same year.
The “Girls’ Trip” star once revealed that Will only reached out to her when he and Zampino were already separated and awaiting the finalization of their divorce. Perhaps that explains why the “Gemini Man” actor moved on so fast.
Wedding Into The New Year
After dating for two years, the lovebirds finally took their relationship to the next level. They tied the knot on December 31, 1997, in a private ceremony held at the Cloisters Mansion in Baltimore, Jada’s hometown.
When The Kids Came Knocking
Jada Pinkett and Will Smith welcomed their first son and oldest child together, Jaden Smith in 1998. Two years later, their daughter, Willow Smith joined the family in October 2000.
Jaden Grew up to become a rapper and an actor like his dad, starring in movies like “Karate Kid,” “After Earth,” and “The Pursuit of Happiness.”
Notably, he starred as Will’s on-screen son in the latter two. Willow also followed her parent’s footsteps, establishing herself in the music scene with her 2010 hit, “Whip My Hair.”
Additionally, she starred alongside her dad on “I Am Legend,” voiced Baby Gloria in “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” and co-hosts “Red Table talk” on Facebook Watch alongside her mom and grandma.
CHEATING SCANDALS
In 2011, speculations of an affair between Jada Smith and Marc Anthony who was then divorcing ex-wife Jenifer Lopez flooded the media.
Those speculations prevailed unaddressed for a while, eventually birthing rumors that Pinkett and Will’s marriage was coming to an end.
In August 2011, the couple put out a joint statement, debunking the rumors of an affair between Pinkett and her “HawthoRNe” love interest. They also shut down speculations of their impending divorce, saying their marriage was still intact.
First Hints At An Open Marriage
Pinkett and her husband’s relationship garnered media attention in April 2013, when the actress let it slip that she and Will may have an open marriage. She said:
“I’ve always told Will, ‘You can do whatever you want as long as you can look yourself in the mirror and be okay.’ Because at the end of the day, Will is his own man. He has to decide who he wants to be and that’s not for me to do. Or vice versa.”
Although not expressly mentioned, fans quickly assumed the statement implied they had an open marriage. Pinkett clarified her statement on Facebook, saying letting themselves do whatever they wanted does not mean they had an open relationship, but rather, “a grown one.”
Partners For Life
During his July 2018 appearance on Tidal’s “RapRadar,” podcast, Will went candid about his relationship with Pinkett, saying there were no deal-breakers, and nothing could come between them.
He also revealed they had come to a point where they didn’t refer to themselves as married anymore, but as Life Partners. To them, that was the ultimate seal of their lifelong commitment to each other.
Open Confessions
In 2020, rapper, August Alsina, claimed he and Pinkett had an affair in 2015. Following that allegation, Jada Pinkett invited Will Smith to appear on “The Red Table Talk.”
During the Facebook Watch show, the mother of two admitted to the affair. However, she explained she only hooked up with Alsina while she and Will separated formally in 2015.
The two went on to disclose details about that harrowing period of their marriage when they almost divorced but resolved to work things out instead. They ended up reaching the place of “unconditional love.”
Goodbye Monogamy
In a September 2021 interview for the November cover of GQ, Will Smith revealed that he and his wife decided at some point in their marriage to “no longer be monogamous.”
He explained how they resolved to give each other trust and freedom to find their own way, as marriage can’t be a prison. However, he maintained that he was not suggesting their road for anybody.
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the actor explained further, saying they only strived to be as less demanding and restrictive as marriage could be. For them, their decision to be open was not a “sexual goal” but a spiritual goal.
Will’s Edge-Cutting Memoir
In November 2021, Will Smith released a memoir titled, “Will,” where he revealed intimate and corny details about his love life, family, and marriage to Jada Pinkett.
He went candid about their difficulties through the years, and how they came to terms with them. The father of two also attributed some of the problems faced in their relationship to marrying too young.
Will went on to explain how they eventually discovered the ultimate key to a lasting union. For them, deciding to go their separate ways in 2011, and seek their distinct personal joys and find happiness separately before returning to each other was the tipping point.
Once they each figured out how to take up the responsibility of their own happiness and not leave it to the other person, they knew they were ready to work things out. They have since remained the ultimate sweethearts, each possessing their distinct “full cups of happiness.”
A Little Too Much
Their journey to happiness was hardly the only thing the actor discussed in his tell-all memoir. Will disclosed explicit details about their sex life, extra-marital affairs, kids, and even a prank sex tape of Pinkett which he once showed to his mom.
The unsolicited exposé seemed a tad too much for fans, who proceeded to flood social media with comments about how distasteful and irksome they found some of their revelations over the years.
Subsequently, they filed a Change.Org petition, urging the media to stop interviewing Will Smith and Jada Pinkett. Facebook user, Dexter Morales launched the page on November 26, attracting over five thousand signatures before the month ran out.
Many of the signatories took to the comments to express frustration over being forced over and over again to listen to what goes on in the couple’s personal lives.
More people signed the petition calling for Will and his wife to stop sharing unwelcome details about their personal lives. The petition reached the 20,000 mark within two weeks proving just how fed up fans were.
Despite the negativities, there’s no denying that Will Smith and Jada Pinkett share an enviable love story. Whether or not the public cares to listen will, in no way interfere in their long-discovered happiness. Cheers to happier years ahead.