Will Smith's Oscars slap 'triggered by pain over secret split from wife Jada'

13 October 2023 , 07:16

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Chris Rock's joke at the Oscars may have "triggered some deeper feelings or insecurities" in Will Smith about his apparent secret split from Jada Pinkett Smith, it's been suggested.

Last year's ceremony saw Will, now 55, confront comedian Chris, now 58. He headed onto the stage and 'slapped' Chris, which led to him being banned from the event for ten years and prompted him to later issued an apology.

It came following a joke about Will's wife Jada, now 52. Chris suggested in a speech that she looked like G.I. Jane - seemingly in reference to her shaved head, which she's previously said was related to hair loss due to alopecia.

READ MORE: Jada Pinkett Smith says Chris Rock asked her out on date amid Will Smith divorce rumour

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Jada Pinkett Smith (right) said recently that she's been separated from her husband Will Smith (left) for several years (Getty Images)

More than a year since the scandal, Jada announced earlier this month that her and Will were separated at the time. She recently said that they have been separated since 2016, adding that they are still trying to "figure out" the situation.

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Louella Alderson, who is the co-founder of personality type dating app So Syncd, spoke to the Mirror about the pair recently. This included discussing whether the split may have added to the emotions during the Oscars incident.

Sharing her thoughts, she told us: "It's likely that their separation would have added an extra layer of sensitivity to the situation. It's natural for people to feel more emotional and vulnerable during a separation, and Will may have been feeling particularly raw in that moment.

"The joke made by Chris Rock about Jada could have triggered some deeper feelings or insecurities related to their separation. The fact that it occurred at such a public event like the Oscars, where there is already heightened pressure, could have amplified Will's emotions and reactions."

Will Smith's Oscars slap 'triggered by pain over secret split from wife Jada'

It suggests they weren't together during the highly-publicised incident at the Oscars last year, when Will confronted Chris Rock on stage (AFP via Getty Images)

Louella further commented: "Despite being separated at the time of the incident, Will and Jada got married in 1997 and have a long history, including two children together. It's likely that even during their separation, they still cared deeply for each other and felt protective of their relationship. As such, jokes or comments about Jada can still hit a nerve with Will, even if they aren't together."

She also spoke to the Mirror about possible reasons why the former couple may have kept their separation under wraps. Louella said: "There could be a variety of reasons why [they] chose to keep their separation under wraps for seven years.

"One possibility is that they wanted to protect their family from unnecessary media attention and scrutiny. Being one of the most famous Hollywood couples, any news about their relationship would have been heavily publicised and could potentially affect their children as well. By keeping their separation private, they were able to keep the focus on their family and maintain a sense of normalcy for their children."

Will and Jada have been married since 1997, but she's said they separated in 2016 (AFP via Getty Images)

She continued: "Another reason could be that they needed time apart and thought they might get back together. [...] By keeping it private, they would have been able to explored their individual needs and wants without the pressure or judgement of outsiders. This could have given them the space to work through their issues and potentially come back together stronger.

"Additionally, Jada and Will may have wanted to protect their professional image as a couple. They are known for being a power couple in Hollywood, and any news about their separation could have affected future collaborations or endorsements they had, both as individuals and together. By keeping their separation hidden, they were able to maintain their public image as a strong and united couple, which could have been important for their careers.

"It's also possible that Jada and Will simply wanted privacy for themselves during this difficult time. Separation can be a challenging and emotional experience, and some couples may choose to keep it private in order to process their feelings without public opinions and scrutiny."

Louella concluded: "Ultimately, the reasons for keeping their separation under wraps could be a combination of these factors. Every couple's situation is unique and personal. But essentially, the decision to keep their separation private has allowed Jada and Will to handle their relationship in a way that works best for them without outside interference."