Will Smith expressed his unexpected reaction to his estranged wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s new memoir, “Worthy,” stating that he was “caught off guard” by its contents.
The actor, known for his role in “King Richard” and recently making headlines for an incident at the 2022 Academy Awards when he slapped Chris Rock, shared his thoughts on Jada’s autobiography in a heartfelt letter. Jay Shetty read this letter during his “On Purpose” podcast, where Jada was a guest.
Despite their separation in 2016, Smith conveyed that he was “shocked and stunned” after reading his wife’s memoir. In his letter, he wrote, “I just turned the final page of ‘Worthy.’ It is amazing to realize that despite having lived most of my life by your side, I still found myself shocked and stunned and caught off guard, laughing, then inspired, then heartbroken. I was all over the place.”
He continued, reflecting on the impact of reading Jada’s story in this condensed form, “It’s one thing to hear anecdotes at a family barbecue, but it was truly overwhelming to take in your story, potently condensed in this way.”
The Oscar-winning actor, who married Jada in 1997, praised Jada as a unique individual, describing her as “one of one, a rare blend of power and delicate sensitivity.” He acknowledged the effort it took for her to delve into her own depths to share her story, saying, “I know it wasn’t easy to excavate the depths in that way. I applaud and honor you. If I had read this book 30 years ago, I definitely would have hugged you more.”
Smith’s heartfelt letter concluded with a warm sentiment: “I’ll start now. Welcome to the Authors Club. I love you endlessly. Now go get some Merlot and take a rest.”
In response to her husband’s letter, Jada, with a laugh, remarked, “He knows I can’t have no Merlot! That’s beautiful. That’s why I can’t divorce that joker.” She appreciated his words, interpreting them as a sign that he would have taken more time to listen and understand her, had he known earlier.
