“Marriage for us can’t be a prison”
(Picture: Getty Images)In an interview for GQ's November issue, Will Smith opened up about his non-monogamous marriage to Jada Pinkett Smith - but it prompted some to put them on mute on Twitter.
“Jada never believed in conventional marriage... Jada had family members that had an unconventional relationship”, the 53-year-old actor told the magazine. “So she grew up in a way that was very different than how I grew up.”
Will confirmed that his relationship was initially monogamous, but they both became “miserable and clearly something had to change”, which prompted them to open it up.
Non-monogamy is the umbrella term for a relationship where both counterparts are open and honest about having other partners. “There were significant endless discussions about, what is relational perfection? What is the perfect way to interact as a couple?” the Men in Black actor said. “And for the large part of our relationship, monogamy was what we chose, not thinking of monogamy as the only relational perfection.”
While the dynamic works for the Smith’s, he told the magazine that he wouldn’t recommend it for others. “We have given each other trust and freedom, with the belief that everybody has to find their own way,” he said.
“And marriage for us can’t be a prison. And I don’t suggest our road for anybody. I don’t suggest this road for anybody. But the experiences that the freedoms that we’ve given one another and the unconditional support, to me, is the highest definition of love.”
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Will “delicately explained” to interviewer Wesley Lowery that it wasn’t just Jada who was “engaging in other sexual relationships.”
Naturally, the interview divided the internet after the pair instantly started trending on Twitter.
While some praised the transparency of the Smiths’, others opted to “*mute the words Will and Jada*”.
Will and jada’s marriage is wild and they definitely over share, but people are outright pissed that they want to work on their issues and it’s hilarious. Literally no one is forcing you to read that article.
— Mel (@thegates0fmel) September 27, 2021
Y’all having Will and Jada arguments again? pic.twitter.com/Y61TwvZhsc
— Q-Tip & Pfize Dawg (@NahImNotDecent) September 27, 2021
Looking at all the Will and Jada slander from people who think a long marriage is all happiness and rainbows and would file for divorce after just one argument. pic.twitter.com/e4l2UUJu5C
— kind2know1💙 (@conscious_sis) September 27, 2021
Me when Will and Jada relationship is being discussed. pic.twitter.com/F4DBM8oDTS
— Raea (@AstraeaNata) September 27, 2021
I'll be 30 next month and I'm even tired of hearing about Will and Jada's marriage.
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) September 27, 2021
At this point, if they stay together or eventually divorce -- it's sooo none of our business, and the fact that they want us to care so much is tired.
Now back to my own marriage planning. lol
I believe that Will and Jada sharing the lows they’ve endired in their marriage and being transparent about just how imperfect they are makes ppl very uncomfortable in a time where ppl only capture and share their highs and perfections
— Hueless P. Newton aka Shaun Scheme (@NotSoNewlywedPC) September 27, 2021
I just want Will and Jada to stop telling us their business. Just stop it.
— Janelle Todd (@thejanelletodd) September 27, 2021
People need to understand that the dynamic Will and Jada have in their marriage works for them and they still raised well adjusted kids who've never had a scandal. If yall want a perfect relationship then stop looking at celebs and make your own. 🤷🏾♀️ https://t.co/Nm4lZtQ8aw
— ~the girls are down bad~🥴🤡🤷🏾♀️ (@Wanderlust_bae) September 27, 2021
Why are people mad about Will and Jada? They never told yall they had a perfect marriage. It was assumed. Nobody has a perfect marriage.
— ‘His Mama from Hollygrove’ (@LaceLuxe1) September 27, 2021
Another day of y’all being invested in Will and Jada relationship pic.twitter.com/et7b1HvQD5
— .. (@sticcmonsta) September 27, 2021
I didn’t get the “Will and Jada are miserable” from the article.
— Certified Skincare Lover 💕 (@HeyAprill) September 27, 2021
What I did get from the article, is they redefined traditional marriage to maintain their marriage.
This isn’t the first time the pair have touched on their relationship style. In July 2020, Jada had a candid conversation with Will on Red Table Talk about her “entanglement” with R&B singer August Alsina.
Jada confirmed that she and August had a relationship that began when her marriage was “going through a difficult time” which led to her and Will breaking up.
“We ride together, we die together. Bad marriage for life”, they joked.
