I had no inkling, but she was resolute, and it turns out, rightfully so, darling. When someone unexpectedly accuses you of being insistent during a proposal, making it seem like you practically coerced them into marriage, that’s a red flag, and not a favorable one. My goodness, 2023 must have set a new record for divorces. Celebrities have been splitting up left and right in Tinseltown, and this time it’s Jodie Turner Smith and Joshua Jackson. What led to this? Did Joshua stray again? Were things moving too swiftly? Was Jodie merely a passing desire? Oh, honey, I’ve got all the juicy gossip.
So, the reason cited for their divorce was Jodie’s decision to end an unhealthy union with Joshua. Evidently, they had been drifting apart lately, with the quality of their relationship deteriorating significantly as they found themselves on diverging life paths. Moreover, their demanding work schedules began to strain their marriage. Allegedly, they attempted to salvage things and were actively working on patching up their relationship and managing their busy lives. From an outsider’s perspective, everything seemed peachy for a time. However, behind closed doors, they were gradually drifting apart.
In September 2022, speculation swirled around Jodie and Josh’s relationship when they unfollowed each other on social media. Although they quickly refollowed each other, Joshua dismissed the rumors. However, fans sensed trouble brewing. I mean, married couples don’t just randomly decide to unfollow each other, right? Turns out, that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Online sleuths had their hunches right. And get this, Joshua was blindsided by Jodie’s decision to divorce. While they had their typical couple issues, exacerbated by their busy schedules and parenting, he hadn’t realized things were that dire for Jodie.
If you’ve been keeping tabs, you might’ve noticed the relationship’s red flags trace back to their alleged split in September 2022. People were waving those flags from the get-go.
“Josh, hmm, when did you realize your wife was the one?” “The moment she entered the room looking like that.”
Well, their connection sparked at Usher’s star-studded Birthday Bash in 2018. And Jodie didn’t hold back on the first night. Interestingly, she happily shared that tale in 2021 on The Late Night with Seth Myers, saying, “When I first met my husband, it was a one-night stand. Now we’re three years into that one-night stand. Initially, I spotted him before he spotted me. I thought, ‘I want that.’ And when he finally saw me, I played it cool.”
Adding to the intrigue, fans noticed it was Jodie who popped the question to Joshua on New Year’s Eve. “We were in Nicaragua. It was breathtaking, so romantic. As we strolled down the beach, she asked me to marry her.” Sure, it’s the 21st century, and women proposing to men is perfectly normal. But here’s the twist: Joshua seemed unprepared for marriage. When he discussed Jodie’s proposal, some found it endearing initially. But in hindsight, did you catch his admission that Jodie was insistent? “I didn’t realize it at the time, but she was quite insistent. And she was right; it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.” Fans picked up on the lackluster response, leading Jodie to face significant online backlash, some of it disturbingly tinged with racism.
Certainly, it’s the American way. Things became quite contentious, to the extent that Joshua found himself needing to backtrack and defend his wife during an interview with Refinery 29. He admitted, “I inadvertently threw my wife under the bus because that story was rushed, lacking full context.” It’s disheartening how pervasive racism and misogyny are on the internet. While it’s acknowledged that you emphasized her determination, J, it’s reassuring that you’re acknowledging the underlying issues of racism and misogyny.
Moving on from that eyebrow-raising interview, another concerning aspect was Joshua’s seemingly lenient stance on infidelity, which, as many have speculated, may have played a role in their divorce. There had been murmurs of his infidelity before, and his attitudes towards it certainly didn’t alleviate matters. He openly stated to the Sunday Times, “I believe an affair can be forgiven; we’re all adults here. No one desires to be betrayed, and significant healing is necessary. Affairs aren’t solely about the partner; they reflect on the one who has strayed. It’s not merely about the physical act; it’s a breach of trust.” Yet, let’s be clear, cheating on one’s partner is never justifiable.
Regarding those cheating allegations, in August 2019, Daily Mail published images and videos of Joshua kissing an unidentified woman in a parking lot in June of that year. The intimacy shared between Joshua and the woman was evident as they embraced beside their vehicle. What compounded the situation was that these visuals were captured during the same week as Joshua’s birthday. What’s perplexing is that Jodie and Joshua were seen together for his birthday, appearing like a devoted couple. Were they perhaps in an open relationship?
Nevertheless, this incident prompted many followers to speculate that the marriage might not endure. The pace of Jodie and Joshua’s relationship also raised eyebrows. From a one-night stand to cozy sightings, and then, seemingly in a whirlwind, they were spotted leaving a California courthouse with what appeared to be a marriage license. Shortly after, Jodie flaunted a sizable diamond ring on her left hand at the premiere of “Queen & Slim” in Los Angeles. By December 2019, they had quietly tied the knot and were anticipating their first child.
One might argue that some individuals just know quickly when they’ve found their soulmate. However, the outcome for Jodie and Joshua suggests otherwise, as they’re now facing divorce. Furthermore, the pressure of being married to a well-known white man could have played a role in their split. Jodie herself hinted at this in her 20202 Bustle interview, remarking, “And that was a story for people. I think a lot of it was because I was married to a white person, and I was married to a white person who has been in the public eye for decades, and you know, he has been someone that the tabloids like to talk about.”
It was perhaps the most vulnerable moment imaginable. This wasn’t the first time she expressed discomfort with being in the spotlight due to her husband’s race. Back in March 2023, she confided in L about her nerves during her inaugural Met Gala experience, recalling, “During my first Met Gala, I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, I never want to go through this again. It just didn’t feel right.'”
Perhaps this was simply another inevitable break in the relationship. Those close to them observed escalating tensions in the weeks preceding their separation. For instance, on Jodie’s birthday, September 9th, they celebrated at a New York City flower shop, but arrived and departed separately. Attendees noted a palpable distance between them throughout the evening, with little interaction.
According to reports, Joshua is holding onto hope that Jodie might reconsider her decision. Sources suggest he’s deeply saddened by the impending divorce, as he had envisioned a lifelong partnership with her. A close acquaintance revealed, “Joshua is devastated by the divorce. He always envisioned a future where he and Jodie would grow old together. She was his rock, his forever person.” While he wishes for reconciliation, he’s coming to terms with the reality of their situation. The source emphasized that their separation wasn’t marred by any scandal but rather a natural conclusion to their relationship.
Regarding Jodie taking Joshua back, opinions vary. Some doubt the feasibility, believing that opportunity has passed. There’s speculation that Jodie’s pursuit of Joshua may have waned, leading to the relationship’s decline. However, it’s a matter open for discussion. Were you surprised by their divorce, considering any warning signs? Share your thoughts below.
