Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith: The 'Entanglement,' Seven Secret Years of Separation, and the Marriage That Won't Officially End
They separated in 2016 and told no one for seven years. She had an 'entanglement.' He slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars. They remain legally married and apparently plan to stay that way.
Key Facts
What Happened
In October 2023, Jada Pinkett Smith stunned the world when she revealed in a Today show interview that she and Will Smith had been secretly separated since 2016 — seven years before the public disclosure. The revelation reframed nearly a decade of public appearances, joint interviews, and even the infamous 2022 Oscars slap in a completely new light. The couple had been living separate lives while maintaining the appearance of a united front.
The public learned about cracks in the marriage in July 2020 when singer August Alsina claimed he had a romantic relationship with Jada with Will's knowledge. On an episode of Jada's Red Table Talk, she described the relationship as an "entanglement" that occurred during a period when she and Will were separated. The episode became one of the most-watched moments in Facebook Watch history and the word "entanglement" entered the cultural lexicon.
The 2022 Oscar ceremony added another explosive chapter. Will Smith walked onto the stage and slapped presenter Chris Rock after a joke about Jada's shaved head (she has alopecia). Smith went on to win Best Actor minutes later but was subsequently banned from Academy events for 10 years. Whether the slap was connected to their marital dynamics became a subject of intense public debate.
Despite everything, neither Will nor Jada has filed for divorce. Jada has stated they are not interested in legally ending the marriage, citing the complexity of their shared life and the desire to work through their issues rather than permanently sever the legal bond. Their story raises important questions about legal separation, the financial implications of remaining married while living apart, and whether the social institution of marriage can accommodate radically unconventional arrangements.
Legal Breakdown: Legal Separation vs. Divorce
Legal Separation vs. Informal Separation
The Smiths are informally separated without a legal separation agreement or divorce filing. Legal separation provides court-ordered guidelines for assets, debts, and support during separation. Informal separation offers no such protections, meaning assets and debts accumulated during separation may still be considered community property in many states.
Financial Risks of Remaining Married While Separated
Staying legally married while living apart creates ongoing financial entanglement. In community property states like California, earnings and debts during marriage belong to both spouses. Will Smith's continued earnings and any debts Jada incurs remain potentially shared property, creating a complex financial web that grows more tangled each year.
The Open Marriage Question
Jada's "entanglement" with Alsina raised questions about open marriages and their legal implications. While extramarital relationships in no-fault states generally do not affect divorce outcomes, in fault states or custody disputes, they can be relevant. Any agreements about open relationships should be documented to prevent later legal complications.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →If you separate from your spouse, consider filing for legal separation to protect your finances. Informal separation leaves assets and debts unprotected.
- →In community property states, earnings during marriage belong to both spouses, even during separation. Understand the financial risks of staying legally married.
- →Maintaining a public facade of marriage while living separately is unsustainable. The Smiths' seven-year secret illustrates the enormous emotional cost of inauthenticity.
- →There is no one right way to handle a marriage in crisis. The Smiths chose an unconventional path. What matters is that your choice is informed by legal reality, not just emotion.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.