Jada Pinkett Smith was all smiles at her first red carpet event since her husband, actor Will Smith, stormed onto the stage at the 94th Annual Academy Awards and slapped Chris Rock across the face. Fans have begun questioning Jada’s role in the event and the couple’s relationship in general ever since it happened.
Jada strutted down the red carpet along with Shonda Rhimes and Debbie Allen for the grand opening of the Rhimes Performing Arts Center, which will also be the home for Debbie Allen’s Dance Academy, Fox News reported.
Jada Pinkett-Smith attends the Debbie Allen x Shonda Rhimes Performing Arts Center Grand Opening. https://t.co/ch1s1hHf9j
📷 Matt Baron/ @shutterstock pic.twitter.com/RTgRoIvgXI
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The “Matrix Reloaded” star wore a strapless gold gown with matching earrings and heels. Her public appearance comes one day after Will addressed the Academy’s decision to ban him from attending Oscars events for ten years.
“This action we are taking today in response to Will Smith’s behavior is a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests and restoring trust in the academy,” an open letter from the Academy’s CEO and President stated. “We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.”
“I accept and respect the academy’s decision,” the actor responded in a statement.
Meanwhile, followers have begun exploring the Smith’s marriage, trying to figure out what spurred Will to resort to such extremes to defend his wife.
A clip of Jada filming Will even as he begs her to stop has some fans claiming their marriage is at best dysfunctional and at worst abusive.
“I would say don’t just start filming me without asking me if you could film me,” Will says to Jada in the resurfaced Instagram clip, The Daily Wire reported.
“I’m still dealing with foolishness,” Jada says about her husband’s reluctance.
Will replies, “My social media presence is my bread and butter, so you can’t just use me for social media. … Don’t just start [rolling].”
Twitter had some strong reactions for the clip, which shows Will looking and sounding extremely deferential to Jada.
“This is worse than [the movie] Get Out,” Fleccas commented.
“Blink twice if you’re in danger, Will,” Gina Bontempo shared.
Followers were also surprised by footage of Jada laughing after Will slapped Rock at the Oscars. They say the actress should have tried to stop Will from storming the stage over a joke.
“People saying Will Smith was protecting Jada, Why wasn’t JADA protecting Will from literally ruining his entire career?” actor Michael Rapaport posted to Twitter. “My Wife would’ve been fighting me before I sat down for making an a**hole of myself & our family.”
Jada hasn’t addressed the incident directly beyond sharing on Instagram a cryptic post that said, “This is a season for healing and I’m here for it,” in the days following the slap. The 50-year-old celeb also shared an Instagram post celebrating the appointment of Kentaji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court last week.
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