Jada Pinkett Smith's Journey To 'Reclamation' After Feeling 'Overwhelming Hopelessness'

Actress and producer Jada Pinkett Smith shared her struggles with the facade of perfection in an excerpt from her upcoming book. 

The memoir Worthy promises an unfiltered look at the woman behind the public persona as Smith writes about experiencing parents with substance abuse issues, her rise in Hollywood, and finding herself worthy of all the love and results she has earned.

In a poignant excerpt shared by People magazine, Smith peels back the layers of her "so-called perfect life," shedding light on the "overwhelming hopelessness" that often lurks beneath the surface.

The revelation comes as a surprise to fans who have long admired Smith for her seemingly flawless life. In the book, she addressed the misconception that fame and success automatically equated to happiness for her, noting that behind "the beautiful family, the superstar husband, and the lavish lifestyle," she had to "put on a brave face for two decades" as she battled severe depression.

To make matters worse, Smith shared that her troubles with her husband didn't make her optimistic about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. She noted that she tried to find answers to her problem, but none could offer a "lasting solution."

As shared in the excerpt by People, one particularly poignant passage recounted the turning point in her journey to "reclamation," as she calls it, where she realized she deserved the hard work and love of herself.

The excerpt described her journey out of a dark place, which she noted began when she hit rock bottom in her mental health, had a chance encounter in her kitchen, and got help from a surprising source. 

According to the publication, her journey to "reclamation" included going for "Goddess gatherings," "silent yoga retreats," "backpacking alone," "studying every religion you can think of," and even visiting Cuba to meet a Padrino.

She also noted her children's role in her journey, calling them her "only motivation to keep going," as they constantly brought her joy and "put a smile on my face."

The excerpt from the book comes after a candid interview with People, where Smith announced that her book and accompanying book tour promise an unfiltered journey that will dispel rumors and confront assumptions about her life.

The "Angel Has Fallen" actress has faced various rumors and assumptions, from speculative reports about her personal life to unfounded critiques of her career choices. With Worthy, she intends to offer her perspective on pivotal aspects of her life that have been misconstrued in the public sphere while recounting her journey from the streets of Baltimore to the heights of Hollywood.

"Yeah, I think people have made a lot of assumptions. And you know what? Rightfully so," she told the news outlet about her image. "I have to take ownership of that, in regards to the narrative that I've participated in, the falsehoods about myself. In the book, I explain all of that extensively as part of my reclamation journey. I think many people, not just women, but a lot of us lose ourselves in narratives that are not necessarily or completely forthright."

Smith, a long-time friend of the late Tupac Shakur, expressed a renewed hope for closure following recent news of an arrest concerning the legendary rapper's murder. 

The actress, known for her close friendship with Shakur during their youth, has been vocal about the impact of his untimely death on her life. In a recent Instagram story, she shared her thoughts on the arrest of a suspect and the possibility of finding answers that have eluded her and many others for years.

"Now I hope we can get some answers and have some closure. R.I.P. Pac," she wrote after officials announced that Duane Keith Davis had been charged with murder with a deadly weapon in connection with the case.

According to NBC News, the indictment alleges that Davis was involved in the shooting and obtained a firearm "for the purpose of seeking retribution against" Shakur and Marion "Suge" Knight, the head of his record label, Death Row, and one Mob Piru. Although it didn't say Davis pulled the trigger, he and three other gang members allegedly conspired to kill the rapper "by acting in concert throughout."