Jada Pinkett-Smith has openly admitted that the infamous incident at the 2022 Oscars, where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, played a pivotal role in saving her marriage.
At the time of the incident, the high-profile Hollywood couple had already been living separately for six years. Jada now asserts that the controversial episode had a positive impact on their strained relationship.
The incident, one of the most controversial in Oscar history, took place during the 94th edition of the awards ceremony in March 2022. Chris Rock, presenting the award for best documentary feature film, made a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith's shaved head, a result of her battle with alopecia.
Will Smith, who had just won the Oscar for best actor, took offense to Rock's remarks and stormed onto the stage, slapping the comedian in front of the audience. Despite initial speculation of a staged act, it was later confirmed to be an unplanned event.
The repercussions for Will Smith included multiple apologies to the Academy, his resignation, and a ten-year ban from attending Academy events. Jada initially distanced herself from the incident, explaining they were attending the awards "as a family, not as husband and wife." However, her perspective has evolved, and she now believes that the controversial slap had a positive impact on their marriage
According to Jada, the 2022 Oscars incident marked a significant turning point in their relationship. In an interview with the British site Daily Mail, the 52-year-old actress referred to it as "the holy slap," as she believes only positive changes followed.
Nearly two years after the event, Jada reflects on how the slap helped her realize she would never leave Will, questioning where their relationship would be without that pivotal moment.
At the time of the slap, the couple had already been separated for six years, a fact they had chosen not to disclose publicly. Despite their separation, there are no plans for a legal divorce, with Jada emphasizing their commitment to being a family that takes care of each other.
Will's recent acknowledgment of Jada's memoir in October praised her resilience, intelligence, and compassion, emphasizing the deep bond they share after more than 30 years together.
