Jada Pinkett Smith says she's been separated from Will Smith for seven years
Content warning: this article contains references to suicide.
Jada Pinkett Smith says that she's been separated from Will Smith for seven years.
The Red Table Talk star revealed the news in a new interview with People, more than two decades after she and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor tied the knot back in 1997.
In the interview, Jada also opened up about her mental health.
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She revealed: "When I turned 40, I was in so much pain. I couldn’t figure a way out besides death. So I made a plan."
Aware of what her life may have looked like from the outside looking in, Jada continued: "I was really living the dream, I hit a huge wall — a massive amount of depression.
"I think that I looked at having outside sources to supplement for the voids that I was feeling inside."
She began battling with thoughts of taking her own life, but later had a breakthrough brought on by one of her children.
She and Will share two children, Jaden and Willow. Jada is also stepmother to Trey, 30, who The Pursuit of Happiness star had from a previous relationship with Sheree Zampino.
The 52-year-old explained: "My children, they’re little gurus. They’ve taught me a deep sense of self-acceptance."
"They love every part of me. The level of love, unconditional love that they have for me and their dad.
"And it's one thing to want to be the person that gives that unconditional love. And then there's, to be the recipient of that."
Jada later went on to recall a particularly emotional moment when Jaden came to her with his friend's suggestion that she try out an ayahuasca ceremony - which gave her a glimpse of hope.
Such ceremonies are believed to be opportunity to receive treatment for the spirit and take part in your own healing after consuming psychedelic drug, usually brewed into a tea to drink, and being led on an inner journey by a healer.
She shared: "I've learned how to tune into each one of them and understand their superpowers.
"And so when Jaden came to me that day and he's like, 'Mom, you got to to hear this. My friend’s dad, he had this experience. I need you to come in here and listen'. I'm like, 'I'm there. What is it?' And it opened up a whole new world of healing that I'm so grateful for."
Speaking about the state of her marriage to Will, Jada revealed that they had been separated for six years before the Oscars in 2022.
"We’re still figuring it out," she said. "We’ve been doing some really heavy-duty work together. We just got deep love for each other and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us."
Tyla has reached out to Will Smith's representatives for comment.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123
Topics: Celebrity, Sex and Relationships, Will Smith
Rhiannon Ingle