Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Marriage Revealed as a ‘Facade,’ Says Reputation Expert
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, once seen as one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples, have been living separate lives since 2016, despite maintaining a public image of a “happy marriage.” According to renowned Hollywood reputation expert Eric Schiffer, the couple deceived fans for years, presenting a facade of marital bliss while privately struggling with their relationship.
In a series of revealing interviews, the 52-year-old actress shared the “truth” about her marriage to the I Am Legend star, shedding light on the exhaustion that eventually led them to quietly part ways in 2016. Speaking to Hoda Kotb on TODAY, Pinkett Smith explained, “I think just not being ready yet, still trying to figure out between the two of us how to be in partnership, and in regards to how do we present that to people,” as reported by E! News. Her revelations come ahead of the release of her memoir Worthy.
Despite Pinkett Smith’s candid confessions, Schiffer criticized the couple for what he described as a betrayal of their fans’ trust. He accused the Smiths of deliberately misleading the public by portraying themselves as a “happy” married couple, all while hiding the truth of their separation. “Jada and Will’s trust and reputation with the public were hit hard by revealing they separated for seven years,” Schiffer told the Daily Mail. “The two hid it from the public, appearing together to serve their self-absorbed, out-of-touch celebrity elite agenda.”
Schiffer, who serves as chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, argued that the couple’s deception could backfire, particularly in the context of Pinkett Smith’s memoir. “The duo were deluded and failed to see that audiences today are easily disgusted by celebrity phoniness. Readers will now question and be slow to trust many of the stories in Jada’s book,” he added.
Throughout their marriage, which began in 1997, Will and Jada frequently displayed their affection for one another at public events, red carpet appearances, and on social media, often gushing about their love and commitment. However, these displays have now been cast in a new light, as it becomes clear they were not reflective of the reality behind closed doors.
In her interview, Pinkett Smith also reflected on the infamous 2022 Oscars incident, where Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock for mocking her alopecia-related baldness. She admitted to being shocked by her husband’s actions, further illustrating the disconnect in their relationship.
As for what led to the fracture in their marriage, Pinkett Smith said, “By the time we got to 2016, we were just exhausted with trying. I think we were both stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be.”
Despite living apart for seven years, the couple has not officially filed for divorce. Pinkett Smith explained, “I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce. We will work through whatever, and I just haven’t been able to break that promise.” Her memoir Worthy was released on October 17, 2023.