For the last two decades, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s marriage has been a shining example of what Black love is and can be. They’ve remained open and honest with the public about how they make their marriage work and the bumps they’ve encountered along the way.
In the premiere episode of the actress’ new Facebook show Red Table Talk, Pinkett Smith sat down with her husband’s ex-wife, Sheree Fletcher, to discuss their blended family dynamic and healthy co-parenting relationship. In doing so, Pinkett-Smith admitted for the first time that there were some hiccups in the beginning that she now regrets handling the way that she did.
“Because I did not understand marriage, I did not understand divorce,” said Pinkett-Smith, 46, recalling the time she began dating Smith while his marriage to Fletcher was ending. “I will say that I probably should’ve fell back.”
“I would’ve fell back because I feel like when Will and I first started dating there was this thing in my mind you did that and that’s done but that’s where I was wrong. Now being a married woman, and if Will and I were to get divorced now, my God. So when I think back to where I was, some of my insensitivities, some of my inconsideration, just in regards to you guys unwinding a marriage and me trying to get in there.”
Smith married Fletcher in 1992 and they divorced in 1995. During their marriage, they welcomed a son together, Trey, in 1992.
Will and Jada tied the knot in 1997 and have two children together, Jaden Smith, 19, and Willow Smith, 17.
The first episode of Red Table Talk, which streams exclusively on Facebook, also allowed Pinkett Smith and Fletcher to express and exchange gratitude for making their blended family work.
“Thank you for loving my baby,” Fletcher said to Pinkett-Smith. “I’ll be honest with you, I had my doubts…but on this side of things, my son could not have a better bonus mom.”