Oscars 2022: TELECAST

Jada Pinkett Smith Says She Was 'Shocked' Will Called Her His 'Wife' After Slapping Chris Rock

Home / News / Jada Pinkett Smith Says She Was 'Shocked' Will Called Her His 'Wife' After Slapping Chris Rock

By Favour Adegoke on October 13, 2023 at 2:11 PM EDT

Jada Pinkett Smith is revealing stunning details about her husband following the infamous Oscars slap heard around the world. 

At the prestigious award ceremony in 2022, actor Will Smith stormed the stage to physically assault Chris Rock after the comedian made a "G.I. Jane" joke about his "wife" Jada.

In an interview, Jada now claims she was "shocked" by the "wife" tag as both she and Will haven't referred to themselves as "husband and wife" in a very long time.

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Jada Pinkett Smith Was 'Shocked' When Will Called Her His 'Wife'

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith Attend the 28th SAG Awards in Santa Monica, California
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Amid a media tour for her new memoir, Worthy, Jada Pinkett Smith has been giving the public some insight into what really happened at the 2022 Oscar Awards when her now-estranged husband, Will Smith, marched onto the stage to deliver a resounding slap to comedian Chris Rock, who was presenting an award.

During a chat with Hoda Kotb on the "Today" show, Jada shared that the entire moment stunned her but that she was also shocked when Will walked back to his seat and referred to her as his "wife."

At the time, Will yelled at Rock, "Keep my wife's name out of your f------ mouth," after slapping him for making a "G.I. Jane" joke about Jada due to her bald head. 

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While speaking to Kotb, Jada said of the moment, "What is going on? Now, first of all, I'm really shocked because, mind you, I'm not there. We haven't called each other husband and wife in a long time. I'm like, what is going on right now?"

She continued that while Will calling her his "wife" took her by surprise, she was "now really worried" for him as she wasn't sure what was going on with the actor who later went on to win Best Actor in a lead role for his performance in the film, "King Richard."

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Jada Pinkett Smith: 'Chris, This Is About some Old S---'

Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith
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During her "Today" show appearance, Jada spoke more about what went down after Will slapped Rock for his "G.I. Jane" joke.

The actress revealed a moment that the cameras never caught, where Rock leaned over to her to apologize, and this action only further annoyed Will, who kept yelling at the comedian.

She said, "Will's still talking 'cause now he's mad because Chris is talking to me, and I go, 'Chris, this is about some old s---.' That's all I could think to say. It's not him whatsoever."

Her revelation comes after she claimed that Rock asked her out on a date following rumors that she and Will were getting a divorce.

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She Claims That Chris Rock Asked Her Out

Will & Jada Pinkett-Smith ‘All Fine’ After Fire Breaks Out In Their Basement
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Jada previously made the startling claim that Rock asked her out after hearing divorce rumors about her and Will.

"I think every summer, all the reports would come out that me and Will were getting a divorce," Jada told People magazine during an interview. "And this particular summer, Chris, he thought that we were getting a divorce."

She continued, "So he called me, and basically, he was like, 'I'd love to take you out.' And I was like, 'What do you mean?' He was like, 'Well, aren't you and Will getting a divorce?' I was like, 'No, Chris, those are just rumors.'"

According to Jada, on hearing this, Rock was "appalled" and "profusely apologized" for trying to ask her out. 

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Following this admission by Jada, several people online linked it to be the possible cause behind Will's decision to slap Rock at the Oscar awards.

Will And Jada Pinkett Smith Have Been Separated For 7 Years

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Amid her media tour, Jada revealed that she and Will had been separated for seven years. The "Girls Trip" actress shared this during her chat with Kotb on the "Today" show.

According to Jada, she and the "I Am Legend" actor have not filed divorce papers as they are still figuring out how to be partners, and all their public appearances as a couple have been for show.

The actress also recently stated that she had a great connection with her late friend, Tupac Shakur and that he was her "soulmate." 

Jada talked about their bond during a chat with Rolling Out's Christal Jordan. She said, "If there is such a thing as past lives, I definitely think 'Pac and I have traveled a few together. You know, in various forms."

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