Jada Pinkett Smith Admits She Believed the Oscars Slap Was a Setup

Jada Pinkett Smith is opening up about one of the most talked-about moments in recent Hollywood history, her husband Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap. In interviews with PEOPLE and YOU Magazine from the Daily Mail, she described the incident as a turning point in her marriage and even called it a holy slap for the positive changes it brought.

At first, like many viewers, Jada thought the confrontation between Will and Chris Rock was staged. It wasn’t until Will started to walk back to his chair that I even realized it wasn’t a skit, she said, adding that her first words to him afterward were Are you okay?

The moment came at a time when Jada and Will had been living separate lives since 2016. She explained that the public attention forced them to face their relationship head-on. That moment of the s**** hitting the fan is when you see where you really are, she said. The actress added that the backlash helped her realize she would not leave her husband.

I call it the “holy slap” now because so many positive things came after it, she explained, questioning where they would be today if the moment had never happened.

Jada’s career remains busy. She is preparing for Girls Trip 2, which will reunite her with Queen Latifah, Regina Hall, and Tiffany Haddish in Las Vegas. The Smith family has also been making news for their public appearances.

In early 2026, Jada and Will made a coordinated monochrome appearance at Paris Fashion Week to support their son Jaden, who became the first men’s creative director for Christian Louboutin, according to event coverage.

Will Smith is also keeping a full schedule. Fans are anticipating I Am Legend 2, which will star Michael B. Jordan alongside him, and a rumored fourth Bad Boys film after the success of Ride or Die.

Meanwhile, Jada continues to run Red Table Talk, her talk show known for open and honest conversations. Her memoir, Worthy, has stayed on bestseller lists and explores her life from her childhood in Baltimore to her life in Hollywood.

Jada’s perspective shows that even chaotic, public moments can lead to growth and deeper connections. The way she frames the Oscars slap as a turning point in her marriage is refreshing and honest. What do you think about her calling it a holy slap? Do you agree that tough public moments can strengthen relationships? Share your thoughts in the comments.