Did Jada play the role of the other woman in her broken romance with Will Smith?
Will Smith recently opened up about one of the most emotional moments of his life—a turning point where love, heartbreak, and fate collided. During an intimate episode of Jada Pinkett Smith’s “Red Table Talk,” titled “Becoming Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” Will joined Jada, her mother Adrienne Banfield-Jones, and their daughter Willow to reflect on the complicated path that brought them together.
An Almost Missed Chance at Love
Years before Will and Jada became the Hollywood power couple we know today, fate brought them tantalizingly close—only to send them in different directions. At just 19, Jada auditioned for a role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air but didn’t get the part. Still, Will was captivated by her energy. Knowing she was working nearby on A Different World, he asked his friend and co-star Alfonso Ribeiro to arrange a meeting.
“I just knew something about us would be magic,” Will recalled.
But destiny had other plans. Instead of meeting Jada that day, Will met Sheree Zampino. Sparks flew, and the two quickly began dating. They married in 1992 and welcomed their son Trey later that same year. Although Will and Jada’s connection lingered, they remained distant, respecting the boundaries of his marriage.
Setting the Record Straight
During the Red Table Talk episode, Jada and Will addressed the long-standing rumors that their romance began before his marriage ended.
“We did not have an affair while he was married—let’s be clear about that,” Jada insisted.
Though they didn’t act on their feelings, Will admitted that he couldn’t shake the sense that something was missing from his life.
A Heartbreaking Epiphany
One night, while having dinner with Sheree, Will experienced a life-changing realization.
“I suddenly realized I wasn’t with the person I was meant to be with,” he revealed. Overwhelmed, he excused himself to the restroom and broke down in tears.
“I cried uncontrollably,” he admitted. In a strange twist, his sobs eventually gave way to laughter. The truth was undeniable: “Jada was the woman I was supposed to be with, but I don’t get divorced. That’s just not who I am.”
The Unexpected Divorce
Despite Will’s efforts to make the marriage work, Sheree sensed the truth. On Valentine’s Day, she asked for a divorce, sending Will into emotional turmoil.
“It hit me hard,” Will said. “But she knew I didn’t love her the way I should have.”
Although reluctant, Will signed the divorce papers in 1995. As soon as the ink dried, his heart knew what to do—he called Jada.
“Are you seeing anyone?” he asked, hoping fate was finally on his side. To his relief, she wasn’t.
A Love That Was Meant to Be
In 1997, Will and Jada got married, beginning a love story that has captivated fans for decades. Together, they welcomed two children—Jaden and Willow—and built a relationship rooted in honesty, growth, and resilience.
Reflecting on their connection, Will described it as “a unique, beautiful power—something I knew we had from the start.”
Their story is a powerful reminder that the right person doesn’t always come into your life at the right time. But when the stars finally align, the result can be a love that’s undeniable, unshakeable, and meant to last a lifetime.
