I admitted to cheating on Will Smith to protect his ego – Jada Pinkett

By Emmanuel Okogba

Jada Pinkett Smith has revealed that she publicly admitted to having an “entanglement” with singer August Alsina during her marriage to Will Smith primarily to protect her husband’s ego and shield their family from further pain.

In a candid reflection while promoting her memoir “I am, You are, We are, Worthy!”, Jada explained that she could have kept the affair secret but chose to speak publicly because she believed it was necessary to help Will process the situation.

“I could love myself and love others, that we could all be on the road together. So I’m like, well, I might have to speak my truth, but I’m also going to protect you,” she said.

“So if I got to look like the adulterous wife to make sure you’re good, I’m gonna do it.”

She added that at the time, she prioritised Will’s well-being over her own image:

“I learned how to love myself and not leave Will on the side of the road. And I hadn’t learned how to love Will and not leave myself on the side of the road. In that moment, because I felt so bad that he was in this situation, I decided I’m gonna love you, Will, and I’m gonna leave myself at the side of the road.”

Jada went further, saying she willingly accepted being painted as the villain to help the family move forward: “Okay, I’m the bad guy. I’m the worst. Great. Let’s be done with it. I wanted it done. You got your answer. I’m the adulterous wife. Let’s be done. And let’s move on.”

The revelation comes years after the couple’s infamous appearance on Jada’s Red Table Talk in 2020, where she openly discussed her “entanglement” with August Alsina while she and Will were separated.

The controversy surrounding their marriage intensified in 2022 when Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars after Rock made a joke about Jada’s shaved head, which she had due to alopecia. The incident, widely referred to as “The Slap,” drew global condemnation and became one of the most talked-about moments in entertainment history.

Despite the public challenges, Jada emphasised that the decision to speak openly about the entanglement was part of her personal growth and attempt to navigate the complexities of their relationship.

She concluded that the experience taught her an important lesson about balancing self-love with love for others: “I had to learn that was a big learning moment for me. I wouldn’t have been able to see that aspect of myself that needed to learn that I could love myself and love others, that we could all be on the road together.”

The couple, who have been married since 1997, have often spoken about their unconventional relationship dynamics, describing themselves as life partners who have weathered significant storms together.

The post I admitted to cheating on Will Smith to protect his ego – Jada Pinkett appeared first on Vanguard News.