Jada Pinkett Smith Defends 'Healing' 'Red Table Talk' With Snoop Dogg Amid Controversy

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The month of January saw a tragic loss with the news of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna's untimely death in a helicopter accident on January 26, 2020. Nearly a month later, the world is still reeling from the news. Given how raw some wounds continue to feel, there is a lot of healing left to do. In an upcoming conversation with rapper Snoop Dogg, Jada Pinkett Smith hopes to facilitate that healing.

In a preview of the Facebook Watch series, Pinkett Smith revealed that she was hurt by Snoop's deragotory response to King following an interview with Lisa Leslie.

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In a controversial chain of events, rapper Snoop Dogg entered a one-sided beef with news correspondent Gayle King after a clip of an interview between her and Leslie was released. In it, King could be seen questioning the former WNBA star about her good friend Bryant's legacy. The question that would ignite a wave of backlash touched on Bryant's 2003 sexual assault allegation. Although King would later clarify on Instagram that the clip was a relatively small part of a "wide-ranging interview", the damage was done.

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After the clip began circulating, King became subjected to a bevy of criticism. The voice that proved to be the loudest was none other than Snoop's. The rapper took to social media and berated the CBS Morning Host in a video that featured a series of profanity-laced statements that many felt were both derogatory and threatening. According to a New York Times article, some of his choice words included, "Respect the family and back off b*tch." While Snoop and others in his school of thought criticized King, some criticized Snoop for his antagonistic approach to self-expression.

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From scientology to open relationships to T.I. addressing Virginity Gate 2019, Red Table Talk has never shied away from difficult subject matters. Pinkett Smith plans to keep that same energy on the forthcoming February 26 episode. The host defended her decision to have the somewhat problematic guest featured, but as someone personally hurt by the very public derogatory comments Snoop gave towards King, Pinkett Smith felt the only way to truly move forward in healing was to seek to understand in conversation with the rapper.

In a newly released clip of Wednesday's (February 26) Red Table Talk discussion, Pinkett Smith revealed her emotional response to Snoop's vitriol. She admitted that above all else, she saw herself in his attack. "When you first came out and you said what you said, you know, in regards to Gayle, my heart dropped. I felt like not only were you talking to Gayle, but you were talking to me."

She continued, ""[I] was like, 'Oh no, Snoop has now taken his power flow away from me, away from Willow, away from my mother. Not Snoop!' Right?"

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Snoop has since apologized for his actions, revealing he had a heart-to-heart with his mother who helped him see the error of his ways. In a power move on her part, and in the spirit of forgiveness, King has accepted the apology. In a statement to People, King expressed empathy towards Snoop. She said she understood "the raw emotions caused by this tragic loss."

Healing is the name of the game and it's evident Pinkett Smith feels this kind of dialogue is another important step in the right direction. Catch Snoop's Red Table Talk episode when it premieres Wednesday, February 26 on Facebook Watch.