Will Smith And Wife Jada Celebrate 25 Years Of Marriage Despite Controversy

Sep 20, 2022 by apost team

Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith's relationship have mostly been kept under the radar, with the actor and his talented kids mostly being in the spotlight. But there has been a renewed interest in the couple's relationship following the 2022 Oscars incident where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock after the latter made a joke about his wife's bald head — a move that received heavy criticism and backlash. 

Despite what had happened, it's undeniable that the couple went through an incredible journey in their married life. 

One thing that is special about Will and Jada is how vulnerable and transparent they have been about their marriage. "The pursuit of truth is the only way to be happy in this lifetime," Will said to GQ. "And we sort of came to the agreement that authenticity was the release from the shackles of fame and public scrutiny."

The pair have been very open about being in a non-traditional relationship. They have been non-monogamous for periods of time during their marriage, and in an episode of "Red Table Talk" from 2020, Jada revealed that she had been dating R&B singer August Alsina at one point. Will shared: "Jada never believed in a conventional marriage. Jada had family members that had an unconventional relationship. So she grew up in a way that was very different than how I grew up." 

"There were significant endless discussions about what is relational perfection? What is the perfect way to interact as a couple? And for the large part of our relationship, monogamy was what we chose, not thinking of monogamy as the only relational perfection," she added. 

The couple has chosen to put their happiness above any preconceived notions of how relationships should be. Will added:

"We have given each other trust and freedom, with the belief that everybody has to find their own way. And marriage for us can't be a prison." 

"I don't suggest this road for anybody. But the experiences that the freedoms that we've given one another and the unconditional support, to me, is the highest definition of love," he continued. 

This year, the couple marked 22 fruitful years of marriage. But did you know the couple's relationship goes way back? Let's take a look back: 

It was in 1990 when Will and Jada first met. At that time, Will was part of the NBC Sitcom 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,' which also came at a time when he was struggling financially due to his spending, which resulted in tax debt. But He was a star of his own at that point, having already built a solid music career as part of a hip-hop duo. 

Pinkett Smith, on the other hand, had just moved from Baltimore, Maryland, to Hollywood to pursue a career in acting. According to PEOPLE, Pinkett-Smith tried to audition for the role of Smith's girlfriend in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' but unfortunately didn't make it because of her height which was shorter than Smith's. She stood at 5' while Smith was 6'2". 

But it was as if life had other plans for them as they eventually became close friends through some mutuals. Unfortunately, they couldn't be together.

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At the time, Smith was already married to his first wife, Sheree Fletcher, whom he wed in 1992. Smith and Fletcher also shared a son then, Trey Smith. In 1995, Smith and Fletcher divorced. 

In 1997, Smith and Pinkett Smith finally decided to marry each other in what PEOPLE described as "the most lavish and secretive celebrity wedding of the year." Then they went on a three-day honeymoon in Miami. In 1998, Smith and Pinkett Smith welcomed their first child, Jaden; two years later, in 2000, the couple welcomed their second child, Willow. 

Pinkett Smith admitted she did not expect she would ever get married and build a family of her own. 

"I never thought about being married or having a family. I didn't know anything about that because I came from a single mom so I always thought I'd be a single mom and have a career," Pinkett Smith said at VH1's Dear Mama Event. "Then I found this beautiful man, Will," she added. 

"I got married to him and I got my bonus son Trey and then I got Jaden and I got Willow and I was able to create, for myself, something I never had—which means family," she continued. 

Being in the spotlight, the couple's marriage isn't one to get away with rumors, including one about them being swingers. Pinkett-Smith addressed these through an interview with Atlanta's Q100, as per Us Weekly. "I've heard all the things — their marriage is not real, he's gay, she's gay, they swing," she said. "But at the end of the day, people have to believe what they have to believe," she said. 

August Alsina claimed he had a relationship before with Pinkett Smith. "I actually sat down with Will and had a conversation. He gave me his blessing," he said. 

"And I totally gave myself to that relationship for years of my life, and I truly and really, really, deeply loved and have a ton of love for her," he added. But Pinkett Smith's representatives were quick to dismiss the rumor and told Page Six it's "absolutely not true." 

Rumors about the couple going through divorce even spread like wildfire, but Smith was quick to shut them down on social media. 

"Under normal circumstances, I don't usually respond to foolishness. (Because it's contagious) But, so many people have extended me their "deepest condolences" that I figured - "What the hell... I can be foolish, too!" he wrote. 

"So, in the interest of redundant, repetitious, over & over-again-ness... Jada and I are...NOT GETTING A DIVORCE!!!!!!!!!!!!! : -) I promise you all - if I ever decide to divorce my Queen - I SWEAR I'll tell you myself! #‎Dumb People Should Have to Wear Scarlet D's," he added. 

In 2018, the couple marked their 20th wedding anniversary, with Smith taking to social media to share the lessons he learned in their two-decade marriage. 

"20 Years Ago Today we held hands and walked naively down that aisle. Here's what I've learned since," he wrote in a post. 

"Love is Like Gardening," he wrote. "I have learned to focus on HELPING you to BLOSSOM into what YOU want to be (into what you were born to be)… Rather than Demanding that you become what my Fragile Ego needs you to be," he added. 

"I've learned to take pleasure in Nourishing YOUR dreams… Rather than wrestling with you to Fulfill my Selfish Needs & Satiate My Insecurities. I have learned that Love is Listening. Love is Giving. Love is Freedom," he continued. 

How do you feel about what Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith went through in their relationship? Let us know your thoughts, and pass this on to anyone who would love to know more about the couple's relationship journey!