Jada Pinkett Smith Movies and TV Shows

Jada Pinkett Smith: A Life Unveiled in “Worthy” Memoir

In an intriguing peek into her forthcoming memoir, “Worthy,” Jada Pinkett Smith has dropped a bombshell about her relationship with her husband, Will Smith. Surprising readers everywhere, she disclosed that the couple has been living apart since 2016. This startling revelation was unveiled during an exclusive segment on the Today show, aired on October 11, offering a glimpse into the candid revelations that await in her memoir.

In her conversation with Hoda Kotb, Jada explained that numerous factors played a role in their decision to live separately. Astonishingly, she clarified that the couple has no intention of pursuing a legal divorce. “I made a commitment that there would be no grounds for a divorce between us,” Jada shared. “We are determined to overcome any challenges that come our way. I simply haven’t been able to let go of that commitment.”

Fans and readers eager to delve further into this remarkable journey will have the opportunity to do so when “Worthy” is officially released on October 17. This memoir promises to provide a deeply personal and unfiltered perspective on Jada Pinkett Smith’s life, including her enduring connection with Will Smith, and the complexities that have shaped their unconventional path.

Who Is Jada Pinkett Smith?

Actress Jada Pinkett Smith is most widely recognized for her notable performances in The Matrix sequels and her contributions to the Madagascar animated film franchise. Her career took off when she first gained prominence as part of the cast of the Bill Cosby television series A Different World back in 1991. Subsequently, her meteoric rise to stardom can be attributed to her role in the Eddie Murphy comedy, The Nutty Professor. Beyond her film and television work, Pinkett Smith has made a mark as a co-host of the popular talk show, Red Table Talk, where she has been exceptionally candid about various aspects of her life, from discussing her open marriage with Will Smith to opening up about her personal battle with alopecia.

One particularly memorable moment involving the actress occurred during the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony. It was during this event that her husband, Will Smith, found himself embroiled in a widely-discussed incident. In a controversial turn of events, he slapped comedian Chris Rock onstage. The altercation stemmed from a joke made by Rock about Jada Pinkett Smith’s decision to shave her head, and the incident generated significant media attention and debate.

Early Life

Jada Koren Pinkett made her entrance into the world on September 18, 1971, in Baltimore, Maryland. The proud daughter of a contractor, Robsol Pinkett Jr., and a nurse named Adrienne Banfield-Norris, her name was a tribute to Jada Rowland, a beloved soap opera star who happened to be her mother’s favorite. Jada was primarily raised by her grandmother, who played a significant role in her upbringing.

During her teenage years, Pinkett attended the Baltimore School of the Arts, where she pursued majors in both dance and theater. It was during this time that she forged a friendship with the late rap artist Tupac Shakur, one of her classmates. Tupac, inspired by their connection, even composed poems dedicated to her. This deep-rooted connection eventually led to Jada’s cameo appearance in Tupac’s music video for “Strictly 4 My Niggaz.” Jada graduated from high school in 1989 and went on to spend a year at the North Carolina School of the Arts to further her artistic pursuits.

Reflecting on her relationship with Tupac, Jada Pinkett Smith later opened up to the press, revealing that she was a drug dealer when she first met Shakur. She was candid about her feelings towards the 2017 movie “All Eyez on Me,” which she believed “reimagined” their relationship in a misleading way. She stressed that their connection went far beyond the superficial portrayal of a cute girl and a cool guy. It was, to her, a story of survival—a bond that had always been rooted in the struggle to persevere together.

TV Shows and Early Movies

Pinkett embarked on her journey in the world of acting with a notable debut on the sitcom True Colors back in 1990. From there, her career took flight as she made guest appearances on various television shows, including Doogie Howser, M.D. and 21 Jump Street. However, it was her breakthrough recurring role in the NBC comedy A Different World that truly marked her arrival in the entertainment industry. This show, created by Bill Cosby as a spinoff of The Cosby Show, welcomed Pinkett during its fifth season in 1992. Her character, the spirited college student Lena James, became an integral part of the series until its conclusion the following year. Interestingly, series producer and director Debbie Allen had Pinkett in mind from the very beginning, tailoring the role to suit her talents. Allen attested that Pinkett was more than prepared for the part when she joined the cast.

Pinkett’s foray into the world of cinema began with her portrayal of Ronnie, a young single mother, in the 1993 film Menace II Society. What makes this casting intriguing is the fact that it came about thanks to a recommendation by Tupac, who was originally set to appear in the film but parted ways with the project shortly after Pinkett’s inclusion. In the face of uncertainty, Pinkett contemplated leaving the role, but Tupac’s encouragement convinced her to stay. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, she later expressed, “I probably wouldn’t have done it without his blessing.” Her performance in the movie garnered critical acclaim, with prominent film critic Roger Ebert describing her portrayal as “filled with life and conviction.”

The year 1994 continued to be a milestone in Pinkett’s career, marked by a series of impressive movie performances. One of her standout roles was in the action comedy A Low Down Dirty Shame alongside Keenen Ivory Wayans. Stephen Holden, writing for The New York Times, praised Pinkett’s performance as “sassy and sizzling as a Salt-n-Pepa recording” and suggested that she stole the show. In addition to this comedic success, Pinkett took on a more dramatic leading role opposite Allen Payne in the erotic drama Jason’s Lyric. Marc Savlov, a critic for The Austin Chronicle, commended her for her “powerful screen presence” and compared her on-screen chemistry with Payne to something out of Romeo and Juliet.

As Pinkett’s career continued to gain momentum, she assumed featured roles in several notable films, such as 1995’s Demon Knight and Set It Off the following year. In 1995, she expanded her creative horizons by stepping into the director’s chair for music videos. Notably, she conceptualized the music video for Tupac’s chart-topping hit “California Love.” The video featured Tupac in a post-apocalyptic desert setting in the year 2095, locked in a battle with an evil tribal chief. Pinkett’s inspiration for the video drew from the 1985 film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Initially, she was set to direct the video herself, but she eventually withdrew from the project, a decision documented in the book “Tupac Shakur: The Life and Times of an American Icon.”

Rise to Big-Screen Stardom: Matrix and Madagascar Movies

In 1996, Jada Pinkett took on the role of Eddie Murphy’s love interest in The Nutty Professor, a comedy that raked in an impressive $274 million globally. Her talent also shone in films like Set It Off (1996), Scream 2 (1997), Return to Paradise (1998), Woo (1998), and the thought-provoking Bamboozled (2000) by Spike Lee, a satirical take on racial bias within the television industry. The following year, she teamed up with her husband, Will Smith, in the biographical film Ali. In this movie, Pinkett portrayed Sonji, Muhammad Ali‘s first wife. Initially, she had reservations about appearing in the film, fearing that her real-life marriage to Smith might distract viewers from the story, but director Michael Mann convinced her to take on the role.

Jada Pinkett Smith achieved a new level of recognition with her portrayal of Niobe, the human rebel, in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, both directed by the Wachowskis and released in 2003. Prior to her own role in the science-fiction action franchise, she had encouraged her husband to take the lead role of Neo in the first film released in 1999. However, Will declined the offer, ultimately leading to Keanu Reeves landing the iconic part. While Pinkett Smith initially auditioned for the female lead of Trinity, the role went to Carrie-Anne Moss. Nonetheless, the Wachowskis saw her potential and created the character of Niobe specifically for Pinkett Smith in the sequels. In addition to her work in the films, Pinkett Smith played a pivotal role in the popular 2003 video game associated with the franchise, Enter the Matrix.

Continuing her streak of commercially and critically successful films, Pinkett Smith made her mark in Collateral (2004), sharing the screen with Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx under the direction of Michael Mann. The following year, she lent her voice to Gloria, the hippopotamus character, in Madagascar (2005), which went on to gross a staggering $532 million worldwide. Tom McGrath, one of the directors of the film, praised Pinkett Smith for embodying the “confidence and sweetness” they had envisioned for the character. She went on to reprise this character in five Madagascar sequels.

Jada Pinkett Smith also took on notable roles in Reign Over Me (2007), alongside Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle, and The Women (2008), where she starred alongside Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, and Debra Messing. While The Women received unfavorable reviews, Pinkett Smith and her co-stars collectively earned nominations for Worst Actress at the Golden Raspberry Awards, famously known as the Razzies.

In 2008, Pinkett Smith made her directorial and writing debut with the independent feature film The Human Contract. The movie revolved around the story of a successful but dissatisfied businessman who falls in love with a free-spirited stranger. She also played a leading role in the film, which featured notable talents such as Jason Clarke, Paz Vega, and Idris Elba.

Returning to television, Pinkett Smith took the lead in the TNT series Hawthorne from 2009 to 2011, where she portrayed the chief nursing officer in a Richmond, Virginia hospital. Her performance in this role earned her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series.

Pinkett Smith’s next notable television role was in the first season of Fox’s Batman series, Gotham, in 2014. She brought the character Fish Mooney, a prominent Gotham City crime boss, to life. As a devoted fan of comic books, she described this role as “one of my favorite characters I’ve ever played.”

After a significant hiatus from the big screen, Jada Pinkett Smith made a strong return with a supporting role in Magic Mike XXL (2015) and joined the ensemble cast of Bad Moms (2016). She continued to explore the realm of R-rated comedies and delivered a standout performance in the surprise hit Girls Trip (2017), alongside Queen Latifah, Tiffany Haddish, and Regina Hall.

Red Table Talk

In May 2018, Jada Pinkett Smith, in collaboration with her daughter, Willow Smith, and her mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, initiated the talk show known as Red Table Talk on the Facebook Watch streaming platform. The show was designed to delve into various family-related issues, embracing the perspectives of different generations. Pinkett Smith explained, “My mother embodies traditional values, Willow represents the contemporary mindset, and I find myself situated right in the middle.”

Red Table Talk garnered significant attention thanks to Jada Pinkett Smith’s candidness in sharing deeply personal experiences, including her openness about undergoing multiple vaginal rejuvenation procedures and her admission of a past reliance on sex toys. The series, acknowledged with a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Informative, enjoyed a successful run of five seasons until April 2023 when Facebook Watch decided to discontinue it.

Marriage to Will Smith and Affair

Jada Pinkett and Will Smith exchanged vows on New Year’s Eve in 1997. Their love story began on the set of Will Smith’s iconic television series, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. It was here that Pinkett Smith auditioned for the role of one of Smith’s on-screen girlfriends, but she lost out to actor Nia Long due to her perceived height disadvantage.

Their first child together, Jaden Smith, came into the world in 1998, followed by the birth of their daughter, Willow, in October 2000. Jada Pinkett Smith also embraced the role of stepmother to Trey, Smith’s son from his previous marriage to Sheree Zampino.

However, in July 2020, the public learned of a significant development in their relationship. Pinkett Smith confessed to having a romantic involvement with singer August Alsina during a period when she and Will Smith were on a break. In 2021, Smith confirmed that he and Pinkett Smith have an open marriage. In his interview with GQ, Smith explained, “Jada never believed in conventional marriage. We have given each other trust and freedom, with the belief that everybody has to find their own way. And marriage for us can’t be a prison.”

Fast forward to October 2023, and Jada Pinkett Smith sat down for an interview with NBC’s Hoda Kotb to discuss her upcoming memoir, “Worthy.” In this revealing memoir, she shared the groundbreaking revelation that she and Will have been living apart for several years. Their separation began in 2016, although they continued to make public appearances together. During the interview, Jada explained the various factors that contributed to their decision. “By the time we got to 2016, we were just exhausted with trying,” she admitted. “I think we were both kind of still stuck in our fantasies of what we thought the other person should be.”

Despite these challenges, Jada Pinkett Smith has considered divorce but has not taken that step. Hoda Kotb, while appearing on the Today show, conveyed that the couple has no immediate plans for divorce. Jada emphasized her commitment to their marriage, stating, “I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce. We will work through whatever. I just haven’t been able to break that promise.”

Hair Loss from Alopecia Diagnosis

In 2018, Jada Pinkett made a brave and candid revelation about her battle with alopecia areata, a condition characterized by hair loss in various parts of the body. She shared her experience on her talk show, Red Table Talk, where she recounted a moment of shock and concern. She recalled being in the shower, holding handfuls of hair in her hands, and the realization that her hair might be rapidly disappearing. She expressed, “I was in the shower one day and had just handfuls of hair in my hands, and I was just like, ‘Oh my god, am I going bald?’ It was one of those times in my life where I was literally shaking in fear. That’s why I cut my hair and why I continue to cut it.”

Jada Pinkett Smith has attributed her alopecia to potential stress as a contributing factor. As a coping mechanism and a way to embrace her new reality, she chose to shave her head. In 2021, she humorously mentioned, “Mama’s gonna have to take it down to the scalp so nobody thinks she got brain surgery or something. Me and this alopecia are going to be friends… period.” This courageous and open approach to her condition has inspired many and further highlights her resilience in the face of adversity.

Chris Rock Slap Incident

In 2022, Jada Pinkett Smith became embroiled in a widely discussed incident that etched its place in pop culture history, involving her husband, Will Smith, and comedian Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards ceremony. Chris Rock, while presenting the award for Best Documentary Feature, spotted the couple in the audience and decided to improvise a joke, suggesting Pinkett Smith might star in a sequel to G.I. Jane due to her closely cropped hairstyle.

The quip visibly irritated Pinkett Smith, despite her initial laughter. Surprisingly, Will Smith, who had also chuckled initially, strode onto the stage, promptly delivered a resounding slap to Rock’s face, and then returned to his seat, vociferously expressing his displeasure towards Rock. A flabbergasted Rock quipped that it was the “greatest night in the history of television” before proceeding with his presentation. This shocking moment swiftly gained notoriety and earned monikers such as “The Slap” and “Slapgate,” overshadowing much of the subsequent proceedings, including Will Smith’s eventual victory as Best Actor for his role in King Richard.

The repercussions of “The Slap” were far-reaching. Will Smith decided to step down from his position in the Academy, a move that drew a stern rebuke from the Academy itself, leading to his ban from future ceremonies for a decade. The incident divided public opinion, with both Smith and Rock receiving support as well as criticism from various quarters. Some voices condemned Chris Rock for poking fun at Jada Pinkett Smith’s personal health choices. Pinkett Smith later expressed her wishes for reconciliation and healing, saying, “My deepest hope is that these two intelligent, capable men have the opportunity to heal, talk this out, and reconcile… The state of the world today? We need ’em both.”

Net Worth

Jada Pinkett Smith’s reported net worth stands at a substantial $50 million. This financial success can be attributed to her diverse career, encompassing roles as an actress, producer, director, author, and businesswoman. Additionally, her union with Will Smith, renowned as one of Hollywood’s top-earning actors over the past two decades, has undoubtedly contributed to this substantial wealth, as indicated by Celebrity Net Worth.

Upcoming Worthy Memoir

In October 2022, Jada Pinkett Smith made an intriguing announcement regarding her upcoming memoir, revealing the title, “Worthy,” in June of the same year. This highly anticipated book is described as a candid and unfiltered account of her life, celebrating the concept of “authentic feminine power.” Fans can mark their calendars for the book’s release on October 17.

Addressing the misconception that her journey is fully known to the public due to her popular talk show, Red Table Talk, Pinkett Smith opened up about the depth of her experiences. She shared with People, “So many people feel because of my talk show Red Table Talk that they know my journey, and they really don’t. There’s been so much about my journey that I haven’t really been able to share on a format like RTT.”

Offering a glimpse into the meaning behind her book’s title, she took to Instagram to convey her hopes for the readers. In a post, she wrote, “My hope is that through the exploration of my own tumultuous situations to the rediscovery of deep love, that we are all reminded that no matter where we may be on our journey, we are all…Worthy.”

With less than a week remaining until the book’s release, Pinkett Smith treated her audience to a tantalizing sneak peek at one of the most intriguing subjects within her memoir: her relationship with her husband, Will Smith. In a surprising revelation, she disclosed for the first time in the book that she and Will have been living separately since 2016.

Quick summary

• Jada Pinkett Smith revealed in her forthcoming memoir, “Worthy,” that she and husband Will Smith have been living apart since 2016 but have no plans for a legal divorce.
• The memoir provides insights into Jada’s life, from her early years and her friendship with Tupac Shakur to her rise in the entertainment industry, including roles in “The Matrix” and “Madagascar” films.
• Jada also ventured into directing, played notable TV roles in series like “Hawthorne” and “Gotham,” and returned to the big screen in movies like “Magic Mike XXL” and “Girls Trip.”
• She co-hosted the talk show “Red Table Talk,” where she openly discussed her battle with alopecia and other personal experiences.
• The infamous 2022 Oscars incident involved Will Smith slapping comedian Chris Rock over a joke about Jada’s shaved head.
• Jada Pinkett Smith’s memoir, “Worthy,” is set to be released on October 17, providing readers with an unfiltered look into her life, her open marriage with Will Smith, and their decision to live apart while maintaining their commitment to each other.