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Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett (in February 2022)

Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP

Jada Pinkett Smith would like to sell a book. Specifically: »Worthy«, her memoirs. A little media attention is a good way to increase the sales figures. Especially when Smith touches on two topics that have been on Hollywood's mind for a long time: her marriage to actor Will - and his slap in the face for comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.

On US television, Pinkett Smitt explained that she and Will have been separated since 2016 and are no longer in a romantic relationship. At the same time, however, no divorce is planned. "I promised that there would never be a reason for which we would have to divorce. I didn't break that promise," she said on the "Today" show.

The couple had "hard work" behind them, the actress continued. We feel deep love for each other and need to find out what that looks like for us." The two have been married since 1997 and have two adult children.

In another interview – with People magazine – Pinkett Smith spoke out about the Oscar scandal. Smith had slapped Chris Rock on stage after he made a joke about Pinkett Smith. At first, Smith had laughed while his wife grimaced. Then he got up from his seat and went on stage.

After the slap, Smith had shouted from his seat in Rock's direction, "Don't put my wife's name in your fucking mouth anymore!" – twice saying the word "fucking," which is frowned upon on U.S. television, and was drowned out by a beep in the U.S. broadcast.

Pinkett Smith thought Oscar scandal was stunt

"I thought it was a concerted action," says Pinkett Smith now: "Never in his life did Will really give him one." It was only afterwards that she realized that it was a real scandal. In this case, too, she stands by her continued husband. But he must also have space "to work it out with himself".

Shortly after the slap, Smith received the leading actor Oscar for his role in the tennis drama "King Richard". It was the first award of its kind for Smith, who had previously been nominated for an Oscar for his performances in "Ali" and "The Pursuit of Happiness." For his gaffe, Will Smith was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for ten years.

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