Will Smith Called His Relationship With Jada Pinkett Smith a ‘Sloppy Public Experiment’ Years Before Their Confusing Paris Appearance

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith might have come together to support their son at Paris Fashion Week, but make no mistake: they are still living separate lives. The still-married but long-estranged pair have made headlines several times over the years for their very complicated relationship. No one knows what is really going on with the former duo. Will Smith even once suggested their “brutiful” partnership was a “sloppy public experiment.” Fans remain confused by the couple.

Will Smith called his marriage a ‘sloppy public experiment’

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have had a very unconventional and complicated approach to partnership in recent years. The couple lives mostly separately, but maintains that they are committed to moving forward together. The way they’ve approached their marriage and separation has confused the masses, and while it might seem like the former “it” couple is out of touch, Will Smith has made it clear that he is very well aware of how their movements as a couple are perceived.

During the lead-up to Jada Pinkett Smith’s memoir released in 2023, Smith sat down with his mostly estranged wife to discuss their partnership. According to People, Smith called the marriage a “sloppy public experiment in unconditional love” during an appearance on her book tour. He suggested that their approach doesn’t make much sense to outsiders, but works for them. Fans aren’t entirely sure that is true, though. Smith’s public outbursts, and Pinkett Smith’s largely smug approach to the relationship have left fans feeling conflicted.

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s relationship timeline

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith met in the 1990s, though Smith was married at the time. The pair began dating soon after Smith’s divorce from Sheree Zampino, though their early romance was pretty messy.  Despite that, they stayed together and married in December 1997.

Together, Smith and Pinkett Smith welcomed two children, Jaden (1998) and Willow (2000). Smith also has a son from his first marriage. Things seemed largely normal on the surface. Sure, the couple’s unconventional parenting was often discussed, but their marriage seemed pretty solid. They later revealed it very much wasn’t.

In 2020, everything changed when Pinkett Smith opened up about a relationship she called an “entanglement” during the course of her marriage to Smith. In 2023, Pinkett Smith publicly revealed that the couple had been separated for 7 years, though they had never legally divorced and had no plans to. Despite the separation, both have emphasized their enduring commitment to one another. The odd nature of their romance has continued to stymie fans and attract significant criticism.