
THIS Is The Reason Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith No Longer Say They're Married

"Til death do us part" is a sacred phrase that we use to commemorate what we expect to be a lifelong union. But can we be honest? What we're really saying is, "Til you f*ck up do us part."
There are ups and downs in relationships that some marriages may not be able to withstand. And with the divorce rate being what it is, it's evident that vows are sometimes more temporary and fleeting than permanent and finite. Nowadays people rarely take this well-known vow literally, except for maybe Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.
The Smiths' relationship has withstood the test of time, tabloid rumors, and chaotic professional careers, and the couple says that there's no end in sight. Their love story began on the set of Will's hit 90's series, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, where Jada had ironically auditioned for the part of Will's girlfriend but lost the part to Nia Long. Jada said:
"I think if I had done it, we would not be married today. Because you have to meet people at a time that you're ready. Neither one of us were ready at that time."
The couple became friends and started dating in 1995. Now, two kids and a little over two decades later, they're still going strong. Jada and Will have been candid about the turmoil and frustration that ensued over the years as the superstar couple fought to create a life together, and although everything hasn't been rainbows and butterflies, they found a love worth going to war for.
Jada and Will are so adamant about the preservation of their relationship that they don't even consider themselves as just "married" anymore. Will said this in a recent interview with TIDAL:
"We don't even say we're married anymore. We refer to ourselves as life partners, where you get into that space where you realize you are literally with somebody for the rest of your life."
"There's no deal breakers. There's nothing she could do — ever. Nothing that would break our relationship," he continued. "She has my support till death and it feels so good to get to that space."
Earlier this year, Will posted a video on social media that explained that love and happiness are not synonymous and stressed the importance of finding happiness individually first. He said:
"What we realized was that we were two completely separate people on two completely separate individual journeys and that we were choosing to walk our separate journeys together."
Not long ago, I read about the power of having a growth mindset, or a thought process that focuses on accomplishment rather than failure. This way of thinking involves offering support to both yourself and others without judgement. Will and Jada's dynamic reminds me of this mindset because, like all relationships, I'm sure Will and Jada's relationship has hit some bumps in the road. Regardless of their missteps, these two offer each other unconditional support.
I am in no way saying that you should suffer in silence in an abusive or negligent relationship, but Jada and Will are one of the few examples that remind us that black love is real, but it isn't always easy. The beautiful couple will be celebrating 21 years of being life partners this December.
I wonder how many relationships would last through their individual storms if we took the time to love without recording our partner's wrongs in our imaginary little black book of their sins against us. What would marriage look like if we viewed it as a life partnership rather than a prison that makes us forfeit our freedom and individuality?
Jada and Will are a testament to a fact that even though marriage isn't a construct that was built to fit the paradigms of modern day society, we can develop lasting connections by offering love without judgement.
Featured image by Getty Images
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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.
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole