Actress says she owned the scandal publicly to shield Will Smith and help their family move forward, even at the cost of her own image.

Jada Pinkett Smith has made a striking revelation about her past relationship scandal, saying she publicly admitted to her “entanglement” with singer August Alsina not out of obligation, but to protect Will Smith’s ego and preserve their family.

Speaking candidly while promoting her memoir “I Am, You Are, We Are, Worthy!”, Jada said she had the option to keep the affair private but chose transparency as a way to help Will process the situation and bring closure to their family.

“I might have had to speak my truth, but I was also going to protect you,” she explained, noting that she deliberately took on the blame in the public eye.

Jada acknowledged that she was willing to be seen as the “adulterous wife” if it meant easing the pressure on her husband. “If I’ve got to look like the bad person to make sure you’re okay, I’ll do it,” she said.

Reflecting on that period, she admitted she placed Will’s well-being above her own reputation. “I decided I’m going to love you, Will, even if it meant leaving myself behind in that moment,” she said, describing it as a painful but defining choice.

She further revealed that accepting the role of the villain was, in her view, a way to shut down the controversy and allow everyone involved to move forward. “Fine, I’m the bad guy. Let’s end it and move on,” she said.

The revelation revisits the couple’s widely discussed 2020 Red Table Talk episode, where Jada first confirmed the relationship with Alsina during a period of separation from Will. The situation drew intense global attention and scrutiny.

Their marriage remained under the spotlight in 2022 following the Oscars incident where Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock over a joke about Jada’s hair, an episode that sparked worldwide debate.

Despite years of public controversy, Jada says the experience became a turning point in her personal growth. She emphasised that it taught her the importance of balancing self-love with love for others.

“That moment showed me I could love myself and still love others at the same time,” she said.

Married since 1997, Jada and Will Smith have consistently described their relationship as unconventional, but resilient — one that has endured public trials while continuing to evolve behind the scenes.