Jada Pinkett Claims She Admitted Cheating On Husband Will Smith To Protect His Ego [Video]

American actress Jada Pinkett Smith has revealed why she publicly admitted to cheating on her husband, Will Smith.

In a recent interview, while promoting her memoir, I am, You are, We are, Worthy!, the actress said that when she publicly spoke about her past “entanglement” with singer August Alsina, it was a deliberate decision meant to protect Will Smith and reduce ongoing public attention on their family.

Jada Pinkett explained that if presenting herself as the unfaithful partner would help her husband, she was willing to accept that image.

“So if I got to look like the adulterous wife to make sure you’re good, I’m gonna do it,” she said.

According to her, she eventually learned how to value herself without abandoning Will, and at the same time support him without losing herself.

“I had to learn that was a big learning moment for me. I wouldn’t have been able to see that aspect of myself that needed to learn that I could love myself and love others, that we could all be on the road together.

“I learned how to love myself and not leave Will on the side of the road. And I hadn’t learned how to love Will and not leave myself on the side of the road,” she explained.

Because she felt partly responsible for the situation their family faced, Jada Pinkett said she decided to accept being seen as the “bad person” just to end the public drama and move forward.

She said, “Okay, I’m the bad guy. I’m the worst. Great. Let’s be done with it. I wanted it done… Let’s be done. And let’s move on.”

This explanation adds more context to their widely discussed 2020 episode of Red Table Talk, and the events that followed, including the tense moment at the 2022 Academy Awards where Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage.

Pinkett Smith said the whole experience taught them important lessons about their relationship.

Despite the criticism and public opinions about their marriage, she believes those honest conversations helped them grow and figure out how to continue life together as partners.

Watch the video below:

Jada Pinkett Smith says she admitted to cheating on Will Smith to protect his ego, claiming she could’ve taken it to the grave but chose to come clean to protect her family and put her own happiness aside to support his 😳🤔 pic.twitter.com/Bi2PKsGSSJ

— Dubs⛧ (@onlydubsX) April 14, 2026

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