Jada Pinkett Smith has said she was separated from her husband Will Smith for six years before the Oscars in 2022.
The actress, 52, said in an interview with People Magazine that the couple are “still figuring it out” – referring to the state of their marriage.
“We’ve been doing some really heavy-duty work together. We just got deep love for each other and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us,” she said.
Image: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith on the red carpet during the Oscars 2022
She did not say whether they were still separated or not.
Pinkett Smith admitted in 2020 that she had a years-long affair with singer August Alsina.
Jada and Will, 55, married in 1997 and have two children together – Jaden, 25 and 22-year-old Willow. Will has a third child, 30-year-old Trey, from a previous relationship.
Image: Trey Smith, Willow Smith, Jaden Smith, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith at a premiere for the film Emancipation last year
Pinkett Smith praised her children, saying: “They’re little gurus. They’ve taught me a deep sense of self-acceptance. They love every part of me.
“The level of love, unconditional love that they have for me and their dad. And it’s one thing to want to be the person that gives that unconditional love. And then there’s, to be the recipient of that.”
Image: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith at the premiere of Emancipation Pic: AP
Jada also revealed in the People interview she thought the Oscars slap in 2022 was a skit at first.
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There were shockwaves across Hollywood when her husband hit Chris Rock on stage on live television after the comedian made a joke about Jada’s shaved head.
“I thought, ‘this is a skit’.
“I was like, ‘there’s no way that Will hit him’. It wasn’t until Will started to walk back to his chair that I even realised it wasn’t a skit.”
Pinkett Smith, who hosts the online talk show Red Table Talk, also said she took the psychedelic drug ayahuasca to deal with her depression and suicidal thoughts.
Image: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith on the red carpet during the Oscars 2022
“Ayahuasca helped me, it gave me a new intimate relationship with myself that I had never had before.” She said the first time she took the drug, “the suicidal thoughts completely went away”.
The interview comes as Pinkett Smith embarks on a publicity tour for her new book.
A-ha frontman Morten Harket has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The 65-year-old has been lead singer of the Norwegian band since it was founded in 1982 – and sung the track “Take On Me” which remains one of the most popular songs of the 1980s.
In a statement on the band’s website, and confirmed by record label Sony Music, Harket said he had undergone several rounds of brain surgery and that he was managing the symptoms of the disease.
Parkinson’s causes deterioration in the brain’s nervous system, leading to tremors and other symptoms that can become progressively worse over time.
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Known for the wide range of his voice, Harket said he did not know if he would be able to perform again.
“I’ve got no problem accepting the diagnosis,” he said, adding that it was difficult to balance medication and managing side effects of the treatment.
“I’m trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline,” Harket said.
Formed in 1982 by Harket and his friends Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen, A-ha saw a global breakthrough in 1985 with their debut album “Hunting High and Low” featuring “Take On Me” and the hit “The Sun Always Shines on TV”.
Singer Jessie J has been diagnosed with “early breast cancer”.
The Price Tag singer, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, said in a video posted to Instagram that she has recently spent a lot of time “in and out of tests”.
She said she will “disappear for a bit” after performing at Capital Radio’s Summertime Ball later this month to have surgery.
“I was diagnosed with early breast cancer,” the 37-year-old said during the video.
“Cancer sucks in any form, but I’m holding on to the word ‘early’.
“It’s a very dramatic way to get a boob job. I am going to disappear for a bit after Summertime Ball to have my surgery, and I will come back with massive tits and more music.”
Image: Jessie J at the BAFTA awards earlier this year. Pic: PA
‘I need a hug’
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK.
The singer said sharing her diagnosis publicly has helped her process the news and show solidarity with others going through a similar experience.
“I just wanted to be open and share it,” she said.
“One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I’m not processing it because I’m working so hard.
“I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories. I’m an open book.
“It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse – that’s the bit that kills me.”
She continued: “The timing of it has been mad but also beautiful and given me this incredible perspective in this time.
“But honestly I need to process it and talk about it and, I need a hug. You have loved me through all my good and hard times. And I don’t want this to be any different.”
‘I’m here for you’
Messages of support from celebrities flooded the comments section under the singer’s post.
Former Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock wrote: “Sending you so much love.”
Fellow singer Rita Ora said: “You’re literally my favourite person and I’m praying for you, you’ve got this. My mother had it and I know the surgery and any treatment on this matter is mentally tough, so I’m here for you.”
London-born singer Jessie J welcomed her son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, in 2023, having miscarried in November 2021.
She has battled with ill health throughout her life, having been diagnosed with a heart condition aged eight, suffering a minor stroke aged 18 and having briefly gone deaf in 2020.
The Duchess of Sussex has posted pictures of her daughter Lilibet in a touching message on her fourth birthday.
Meghan wrote on Instagram: “Happy birthday to our beautiful girl!
“Four years ago today, she came into our lives – and each day is brighter and better because of it. Thanks to all of those sending love and celebrating her special day!”
Image: Meghan also posted a picture of her holding Lilibet as a newborn
Alongside the birthday wishes, Meghan posted two pictures of her with her daughter.
In one, the pair sport windswept hair with water behind them, while in the other, the Duchess holds her daughter – named after the late Queen, whose childhood nickname was Lilibet – as a newborn.