LOS ANGELES, USA – The cancellation of Red Table Talk hasn’t kept Jada Pinkett Smith from revealing more about her personal life.
In a series of tell-alls, including her upcoming memoir, a People magazine interview, and a conversation with Hoda Kotb, she delved deep into her separation from Will Smith since 2016 and shed light on the controversial Oscars moment involving her husband and comedian Chris Rock.
Revisiting the past, Pinkett Smith revealed to People how Chris Rock’s jest about her rumored divorce led him to ask her out. Rock believed the circulating divorce rumours and approached Pinkett Smith for a date, only to be corrected that the couple wasn’t parting ways.
She recounted, “He was appalled. And he profusely apologized and that was that.”
However, she admitted not having had any conversation with Rock since the infamous Oscars slap, initiated when Rock teased Pinkett Smith for her shaved head.
She voiced her hope for understanding and peace, hinting at a potential misunderstanding from the 2016 Oscars.
Back in 2016, the #OscarsSoWhite movement gained momentum when no actors of color received nominations, leading to several boycotts. Pinkett Smith was among those who publicly supported the protests and, as Rock shared in his Netflix special, had even requested him to step down as the Oscars host.
Chris Rock decided to stay and, during the ceremony, quipped about her boycott.
Pinkett Smith now reflects that she failed to gauge the immense pressure Rock might have faced then and acknowledges that a personal conversation could have been beneficial.
She believes that they had buried the hatchet after mutual apologies post the 2016 joke. Yet, the recent 2022 Oscars brought them back into the spotlight.
According to Pinkett Smith, she received another apology from Rock after this year’s Oscars incident.
Addressing Rock’s alopecia-related jibe, Pinkett Smith said, “I mean, that’s what comedians do.” While she admitted having her feelings hurt by Rock multiple times, she acknowledged the challenges of being in the limelight.
She concluded, “Being in the spotlight, it comes with the territory.”
