what happened between will smith and jada

June 27, 2026

Here’s a quick, clear rundown of what happened between Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith , plus where things stand now.

What Happened Between Will Smith and Jada?

Quick Scoop

They quietly separated in 2016 but stayed legally married and kept presenting as a couple in public.

In 2022, Will’s Oscars slap of Chris Rock put their relationship under intense global scrutiny.

In 2023, Jada revealed in interviews and her memoir Worthy that they’d been living “separate lives” for years , which shocked a lot of fans.

Despite everything, they say they still have deep love , are doing “heavy-duty” work on their bond, and do not plan to divorce (at least as of their latest public comments).

As of 2025–2026, they’re still legally married, show up together for family and work events, and describe their relationship as evolving and unconventional.

1. The Long Relationship, Then a Quiet Separation

Will and Jada married in the late 1990s and became one of Hollywood’s most famous couples, with kids Jaden and Willow plus Will’s son Trey from a previous relationship.

Behind the scenes, things were rough: Will has talked about a big relationship “breakdown” around 2011 after a blow-up at Jada’s 40th birthday.

By 2016 , they decided to separate and live separate lives , but they did not file for divorce and did not tell the public.

Jada later explained they were exhausted trying to fit a fantasy of what marriage “should” be and needed space to figure out what partnership meant for them.

2. “Entanglement” and Open-Relationship Speculation

Years before the separation reveal, fans were already confused by their dynamic.

Jada’s Red Table Talk became a place where they publicly discussed very personal topics, including rough patches in their marriage.

In 2020, Jada confirmed she’d had what she called an “entanglement” with singer August Alsina while she and Will were separated; that fueled talk of an open or unconventional relationship.

Online forums and commentators framed Will as “tolerating” Jada’s autonomy and painted their relationship as polyamorous or open, which sparked a lot of debate and judgment on social media.

Some people admire their transparency and flexibility, while others see the whole setup as messy and unhealthy.

3. The Oscars Slap and Public Backlash

The turning point for public opinion was the 2022 Oscars :

Chris Rock made a joke about Jada’s shaved head; Will walked onstage and slapped him during the live broadcast, then shouted at him from his seat.

Jada later said she initially thought it was a skit and only realized it was real when Will walked back.

The incident triggered massive backlash against Will, and many people dragged Jada too, blaming their relationship dynamic for his emotional state.

Jada has said that after the slap, she told Will she was “riding” with him and that whatever storm came, she would not leave his side.

4. Jada’s 2023 Memoir Bombshells

In 2023 , promoting her memoir Worthy , Jada finally broke the illusion:

She revealed that she and Will had been separated since 2016 , living separate lives while remaining legally married.

She said they kept it private because they were still trying to figure out what their partnership should look like and how to explain it to people.

The reveal made earlier Red Table Talk episodes and public appearances look very different in hindsight, since many assumed they were a standard, fully together couple at the time.

Reactions were split: some praised her honesty and vulnerability, others accused her of oversharing or humiliating Will.

5. Where Things Stand Now (2024–2026)

Despite the separation, Will and Jada have not divorced and continue showing up in each other’s lives.

Jada has said she made a promise there’d be no divorce , and that they have “deep love” and will keep working out what their relationship should be.

They’ve described themselves as doing “heavy-duty work” on their connection and redefining what partnership means, rather than trying to fit a traditional marriage box.

They have been seen together at premieres, family events, and dinners — including outings in 2024 and 2025, plus joint appearances in 2026 to support their son Jaden’s fashion collaboration.

Recent coverage emphasizes that they’ve been separated since 2016, are still legally married, and maintain a “unique and dynamic” relationship in Hollywood.

So the current picture: not a traditional marriage, not fully broken up either — more like a long-term, evolving partnership with emotional ties, shared family, and selective joint public life.

6. Different Ways People See It (Forum / Discussion Vibe)

If you look at forums and comment sections, you’ll see several viewpoints:

Team “it’s their business” :
- They argue that two adults can define their marriage however they want, including separation without divorce, open arrangements, or nontraditional partnership.
Team “Jada is the problem” :
- This group blames Jada for oversharing, making Will look weak, or “using” him for publicity, especially around the Oscars and her memoir.
Team “Will needs to walk away” :
- They think the situation keeps Will in constant emotional turmoil and that a clean break would be healthier.
Team “unconventional but honest” :
- Some admire that they are at least being open about the messy reality of long-term relationships, instead of pretending everything is perfect.

The discourse is often emotional and judgmental, but it’s based on a mix of real statements from Will and Jada plus a lot of speculation from the internet.

7. Mini Timeline of Key Moments

2011 – Major marital rough patch after a fight around Jada’s 40th birthday.

2016 – They separate and begin living “separate lives,” but don’t divorce and don’t tell the public.

2020 – Jada publicly discusses her “entanglement” with August Alsina; open-marriage rumors explode.

2022 – Will slaps Chris Rock at the Oscars; their relationship becomes a major talking point worldwide.

October 2023 – Jada reveals the 2016 separation while promoting Worthy.

2024–2025 – They appear together at premieres and dinners, stressing ongoing love and partnership despite separation.

2026 – Public outings resume again (Paris Fashion Week, etc.), with media describing them as separated since 2016 but still legally married and close.

TL;DR

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith separated back in 2016 , kept it private, navigated entanglement drama and the 2022 Oscars slap under intense public scrutiny, and then Jada publicly confirmed the separation in 2023.

They remain legally married , still appear together for family and work events, and describe their bond as a deep but unconventional partnership that they are continuously redefining rather than ending.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.