Jada Pinkett Smith, born on September 18, 1971, in Baltimore, Maryland, is an accomplished American actress, singer, and talk show host.
She gained prominence in the early 1990s with her role on the sitcom A Different World and has since starred in notable films such as Menace II Society, The Nutty Professor, and The Matrix series.
Jada is also known for her work as a producer and for co-hosting the Facebook Watch talk show Red Table Talk, which has earned her a Daytime Emmy Award.
In addition to her acting career, she has pursued music as the lead vocalist of the band Wicked Wisdom and authored a children’s book titled Girls Hold Up This World.
Siblings
Jada has one sibling, a brother named Caleeb Pinkett.
He is involved in the entertainment industry as a producer, having worked on projects such as After Earth, Cobra Kai, Lakeview Terrace, and Men in Black 3, which starred his brother-in-law, Will.
Caleeb is currently based in California and has faced personal challenges, including a separation from his wife, Patricia Pinkett, with whom he shares an 11-year-old daughter, Caila Koren Pinkett.
Career
Jada began her acting career in 1990 with a role in the sitcom True Colors.
However, her breakthrough came when she was cast as Lena James on the popular NBC series A Different World, a spin-off of The Cosby Show.
Her portrayal of a strong, independent college student resonated with audiences and helped establish her as a rising star.
Jada gained critical acclaim for her role as Ronnie in the gritty drama Menace II Society, which showcased her talent and ability to tackle serious themes.
She starred alongside Eddie Murphy in The Nutty Professor, playing the role of Carla Purty, which further solidified her status in Hollywood.
Jada portrayed Niobe in The Matrix trilogy, a groundbreaking sci-fi series that became a cultural phenomenon.
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Her character was a skilled warrior and leader, adding depth to the narrative.
She has appeared in several other films, including Set It Off, Scream 2, Collateral and Girls Trip, showcasing her versatility across genres.
In 2002, Jada founded the band Wicked Wisdom, which features a unique blend of rock, metal, and funk.
The band was formed with a vision to create music that resonates with themes of empowerment and self-expression.
Their self-titled debut album was released in 2006, featuring tracks that highlight Jada’s powerful vocals and the band’s energetic sound.
Wicked Wisdom toured with Britney Spears during her Onyx Hotel Tour in 2004, gaining exposure to a broader audience and showcasing their talent on a larger stage.
In 2018, Jada co-created and co-hosted the Facebook Watch talk show Red Table Talk, alongside her daughter Willow Smith and her mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris.
Jada has also worked as a producer on various projects, including the film The Human Contract, which she wrote and directed.
Relationship with Will Smith
Jada and Will have been one of Hollywood’s most famous couples for over two decades.
They met in 1994 when Jada auditioned for a role on Will’s show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but she didn’t get the part because she was considered too short.
They began dating after Will’s divorce from Sheree Fletcher was finalized in 1995.
Will and Jada married on December 31, 1997, while Jada was three months pregnant with their first child together, Jaden.
They also have a daughter named Willow. In October 2023, Jada revealed that she and Will had been separated since 2016, although they never officially divorced.
She stated that they were “exhausted with trying” to work out their relationship at the time.
Despite the separation, Jada made it clear that they have no plans to divorce, emphasizing, “I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce. We will work through whatever.”
In recent interviews, Jada has highlighted that she and Will are still “life partners” and are actively working to bring their relationship back together.
Through it all, Will and Jada have remained committed to their family and to addressing the challenges in their marriage.
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