The decision to stick together was made by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. On Thursday, Nov. 7, the couple was photographed leaving Crossroads Kitchen in Calabasas, California, after dining with mental health podcast host Jay Shetty.
Their appearance came in the middle of their ongoing work to strengthen their relationship, with the pair sharing that they are “still figuring it out.” According to E! Online, the couple seemed to be in good spirits, walking side by side while engaging in a light conversation. In one moment, Jada leaned in to place an arm around Will, showcasing their closeness.
Jada Pinkett Smith places a comforting arm around Will as they share a light-hearted moment in public
Their previous public outing was in May at the Los Angeles premiere of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, where they were accompanied by their children: Jaden, 26; Willow, 24; and Trey, 31, from Will’s previous marriage to Sheree Zampino.
Reflecting on their nearly three-decade-long relationship, Will spoke to Entertainment Tonight in May about Jada being his “ride-or-die.” “I’ve always been blessed that there has never been a time in my life when I didn’t look to the side and have a ride or die right there,” he said, adding, “Jada is one of the most gangsta ride-or-die’s I’ve ever had.”
These comments followed Jada’s revelation during a Today interview in 2023 that she and Will had been separated since 2016. Despite their separation, Jada expressed her dedication to their bond, stating, “I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce. We will work through … whatever.”
Later, in an October 2023 PEOPLE interview, Jada opened up further, sharing that she and Will were “still figuring it out” and engaging in personal work together.
Reflecting on the infamous Oscars moment from 2022, Jada told YOU Magazine that seeing Will slap Chris Rock made her realize she would never leave him. “I nearly didn’t even attend the Oscars that year, but I’m glad I did,” she recalled. “I call it the ‘holy slap’ now because so many positive things came after it.”
