Jada Pinkett Smith, the actress, talk show host, and wife of Will Smith, has recently released her memoir Worthy, in which she shares her journey of finding self-worth and overcoming various challenges in her life. The book has already made headlines for revealing some shocking details about her marriage, her relationship with Tupac Shakur, and her experiences with drugs, violence, and fame.
In Worthy, Jada Pinkett Smith admits that she and Will Smith separated in 2016, after years of struggling to maintain their connection and happiness. She also confesses that she had an affair with singer August Alsina during that time, which she had previously discussed on her Facebook show Red Table Talk. She explains that she was seeking validation and healing from outside sources, instead of looking within herself.
She also reveals that she and Will Smith are now working on writing a book together, titled Don’t Try This at Home, in which they will share more insights and lessons from their unconventional marriage. She says that they have gone through many “gates of relating” and that they hope to help other couples who might be facing similar issues.
Jada also devotes a chapter on the 2022 Oscars incident, at which Will notoriously smacked Chris Rock for making a joke about her alopecia. She does, however, reveal that her husband and the comedian had a strained relationship for many years prior to the incident.
In the book, Jada Pinkett Smith explores the complexities of her relationship with the late rapper Tupac Shakur. Tupac was a legendary icon in the hip-hop world, but to Jada, he was much more than that, she said. They met in Baltimore as teenagers and developed a relationship so deep that some have described it as a soulmate bond. Even though their relationship had its challenges and conflicts, both expressed a strong love for each other that endured until Shakur was killed in 1996 during a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas.
Jada Pinkett Smith also opens up about her difficult upbringing in Baltimore, where she witnessed drug abuse, domestic violence, and crime. She says that she became a drug dealer herself when she was in high school, and that she had to deal with addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts. She credits her passion for performing arts as the thing that saved her from self-destruction.
Worthy is a candid and courageous memoir that shows Jada Pinkett Smith’s vulnerability and strength. The book has been both praised and criticized for some of its content. Only time will tell if it becomes a best seller or end up just another book by a fading celebrity.
