Jada Pinkett Smith, the wife of Hollywood star Will Smith, has opened up about an unexpected encounter with comedian Chris Rock during a turbulent time in her marriage. In an interview with Red Table Talk, the actress and talk show host shared that Rock had asked her out when she and her husband were going through a rough patch and facing divorce rumors.
The Oscars slap incident
The revelation came as Pinkett Smith discussed the infamous Oscars slap incident that took place in 2022, when Will Smith confronted Rock on stage after he made a joke about her bald head. Rock, who was hosting the Academy Awards, compared Pinkett Smith to Demi Moore’s character in G.I. Jane, a movie about a female soldier who shaves her head. Pinkett Smith, who had recently opened up about living with alopecia, a condition that affects hair growth, was visibly offended by the remark and rolled her eyes from her seat.
Seconds later, Will Smith walked on stage and slapped Rock in front of the audience and millions of viewers at home. He then shouted at him to “keep my wife’s name out of your f—ing mouth.” Rock later said that he was unaware of Pinkett Smith’s alopecia and that it was just a harmless joke.
Chris Rock’s crush on Jada Pinkett Smith
Pinkett Smith said that she was surprised by her husband’s reaction, as they were not on good terms at the time and had been living separately for months. She said that they had agreed to take a break from their marriage and explore other options, but they did not make it public. She also said that she had no idea that Rock had a crush on her until he approached her at an after-party and asked her if she wanted to go out with him.
“I was shocked,” she said. “I mean, he had just made fun of me on national television and then he had the nerve to ask me out? I thought he was joking at first, but he was serious. He said he had always liked me and that he thought I was beautiful and strong. He also said that he knew I was unhappy with Will and that he could make me happy.”
Pinkett Smith said that she politely declined Rock’s offer and told him that she was still married to Will, even though they were going through a rough patch. She said that she appreciated his compliment, but she was not interested in dating anyone else at the moment. She also said that she felt sorry for him, as he had just been slapped by her husband and humiliated in front of the world.
The reconciliation with Will Smith
Pinkett Smith said that the Oscars slap incident was a turning point in her relationship with Will Smith, as it made them realize that they still cared for each other and wanted to work on their marriage. She said that they decided to give their relationship another chance and went to counseling together. She also said that they apologized to each other for their mistakes and learned to communicate better.
She said that they are now happier than ever and have renewed their vows in a private ceremony. She also said that they have forgiven Rock for his joke and have no hard feelings towards him. She said that they even invited him to their vow renewal ceremony, but he declined.
She said that she hopes that Rock finds someone who loves him and makes him happy. She also said that she is grateful for his interest in her, as it helped her appreciate her husband more.
“I think everything happens for a reason,” she said. “Maybe Chris Rock was sent to me as a test, to see if I would be tempted by someone else or if I would stay loyal to my husband. And I passed the test. I chose Will. And I’m glad I did.”