Jada Pinkett Smith has thrown husband Will Smith under the bus, arguing that “he didn’t need” to slap comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars.
Pinkett Smith’s people spoke out to say she is not “angry with” Smith for slapping Rock but she “wishes he didn’t” do what he did.
US Weekly talked to sources close to Jada who said: “It was in the heat of the moment and it was him overreacting.
“He knows that, she knows that.
“They’re in agreement that he overreacted.”
The source continued: “She’s not one of these women that needs protecting.
“He didn’t need to do what he did, she didn’t need protecting.
“She’s not a wallflower.
“She’s a strong woman, an opinionated woman and she can fight her own battles.
“But she will stand by him,” the source said.
In an earlier interview he said:
“Jada never believed in conventional marriage.… Jada had family members that had an unconventional relationship.
“So she grew up in a way that was very different than how I grew up.
“There were significant endless discussions about, what is relational perfection? What is the perfect way to interact as a couple?
“And for the large part of our relationship, monogamy was what we chose, not thinking of monogamy as the only relational perfection.
“We have given each other trust and freedom, with the belief that everybody has to find their own way.
“And marriage for us can’t be a prison.
“And I don’t suggest our road for anybody.
“I don’t suggest this road for anybody.
“But the experiences that the freedoms that we’ve given one another and the unconditional support, to me, is the highest definition of love.”
Over the years, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have been transparent about their evolving marriage and the bumps in the road. https://t.co/SMGW8S2Hap
— Us Weekly (@usweekly) April 5, 2022
Will Smith resigned from the Academy with a letter that said:
“I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct.
“My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable.
“The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home. I betrayed the trust of the Academy.
“I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work.
“I am heartbroken.
“I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film.
“ So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate.
“Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason,” he said.
David Rubin, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said in a statement:
“We have received and accepted Mr. Will Smith’s immediate resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
“We will continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18.”
