Jada Pinkett Smith Says It Took Her 47 Years To Learn The True Key To Happiness
Perfection is both boring and unattainable, but nevertheless, we try our hardest every day to conceal our broken places.
According to Jada in a recent interview with Stephen Colbert, this mentality ultimately led her to 46 years of unhappiness. As a 47-year-old wife, bonus mom and mother-of-two, Jada said that this is the first time in her life that she's actually happy, and it's all thanks to saying "f*ck it":
"I really thought happiness had a lot to do with pleasure and I realize that happiness is about peace. I'm the most peaceful I've ever been in my life."
I've grown to learn that some of the most beautiful things in life are imperfect AF. Jada can totally relate and tries to keep this same energy when it comes to her marriage, even in not-so-private moments of vulnerability. While The Smiths were previously a fairly tight-lipped Hollywood couple, that all changed with Red Table Talk.
The show currently holds the spot as the most-watched series on Facebook Watch and it's likely because unlike most talk shows, Jada and her family spill quite a bit of their own tea while interviewing their guests. The actress told Stephen that in her world, being transparent was the key to finding inner peace. When asked why it was important for the actress that she and her husband bring their matrimonial mess to the media, Jada had this to say:
"First of all was really to kind of get rid of the idea that people in the public eye have perfect relationships. We were kind of sick of living up to that. We were real sick of it. And then second of all, really having myself and Will come and talk about our relationship — sometimes you see just women do it alone or you just see a guy do it."
Jada explained that while she and Will's goal was to resolve some of their own problems by confronting their past, they soon learned that facing their imperfections in front of the world also inadvertently helped some other relationships, too.
"Us coming together and taking responsibility for both of our parts and also Will being the successful guy that he is and being willing to share what his pitfalls were in the relationship and in his family, you can't imagine how many other successful men called and said, 'Wow, my wife has been saying the same thing for years. Because you said it, it opened my eyes and because you said it, I'm willing to listen.'"
In order to heal, you first have to acknowledge where you are broken, and for both Jada and Will, finding happiness meant making peace with those voids. Take a lesson out of this couple's book and don't let it take half a century to recognize it.
Watch the full clip below!
Jada Pinkett Smith: Happiness Is About Peacewww.youtube.com
Featured image by Shutterstock
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Vivica A. Fox Gets Candid About Her Dating Life As Her 60th Birthday Approaches: ‘I’m Taking Applications’
Vivica A. Fox says she’s on the market!
During a recent appearance on Today with Hoda & Jenna, the Set It Off actress spoke candidly about her dating preferences amidst modern dating culture.
"I’m wanting to date, it’s just limited resources out there, right? Because I’m not getting on an app. I’m old-fashioned," Fox said. "I need to meet you and sparks happen because I just believe people make up stories, saying who and what they are."
The actress, 59, expressed her desire for a partner and isn’t shy about the traits she hopes her future soulmate will embody.
"When I say a partner, I want someone who’s going to be fun, who’s not intimidated by who and what I am, that likes to travel, and is gonna let me go shopping," she illustrates.
Fox continued, "I’m taking applications, so if you got a friend, I’m good. And I don’t discriminate. I’m not against different nationalities, so you can know that too. You gotta leave your options open."
With the Not Another Church Movie star’s 60-year-old birthday approaching this summer, Fox humorously reflects on how it feels to reach this milestone age. "Well, I'm not going to lie, my knees someday are like, ‘Let’s go get a little help there.’ Some shorts, or something. But I’m so comfortable in the skin I’m in."
Vivica A. Fox has had a notable dating history with high-profile relationships with rapper 50 Cent in the early 2000s and has been romantically linked to Dennis Rodman and was previously engaged to Omar "Slim" White.
Fox adds that she’s living her best “booked, busy, and blessed” life and is grateful for the fulfilling opportunities that have come to her in this chapter of her life.
"I never expected this chapter of my life to be so booked, busy, and blessed — literally in that order. I’m finally getting quality, I’m getting projects that I love doing," she says.
"I’m all about girl power and lately women have been giving me the most wonderful opportunities. ... The blessings have just kept growing, and finally, everyone’s giving me my flowers. It’s about time, and I’m taking them."
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Featured image by Carol Lee Rose/Getty Images