Nia Long has a deep affection for Will Smith. She loves him immensely and describes him as a natural-born teacher. Nia cares about Will so much that she believes Jada is negatively impacting his life. But what exactly are her thoughts on their unconventional marriage? And why has Nia never approved of Jada and her influence on Will?
It seems like an intervention might be necessary, and Nia Long is fully supportive. If you’re wondering why Nia has such strong opinions about Will and Jada’s marriage, it’s because she has been close friends with Will for a very long time. They first met when Nia played Lisa Wilkes on the popular ’90s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” where she portrayed one of Will Smith’s girlfriends and the only one who got him to consider settling down. Interestingly, Jada was originally supposed to play that role. In an interview on People TV, Nia revealed that the producers initially cast Jada as Will’s girlfriend but later changed their minds because they thought Jada was too short. Nia humorously shared, “I got the job, but she got the husband.”
This situation allowed Nia to get to know Will better and develop genuine feelings for him. Reflecting on Will and Jada, Nia shared that Will always brought immense love, energy, and support whenever he walked into a room. She admired his confidence and determination, saying it was the first time she had seen a Black man with such presence, which she found very inspiring.
Nia is deeply invested in her friend’s life and shared her thoughts on their marriage during an interview with E.T. “I feel bad for Will and Jada right now because they’ve been extremely vulnerable with their personal story, and it takes a lot of courage to do that,” she said. Nia also acknowledged the pressure Jada must feel with her show “Red Table Talk,” trying to live up to what she shares publicly. She pointed out that everyone experiences ups and downs in love, which is naturally complicated.
Additionally, Nia described Will as an icon and suggested that Jada should give him some space. She said, “I think the key to any relationship is giving your partner the room to be who they need to be. If that means taking a break, then take the break. Sometimes, I leave the house without telling anyone where I’m going and just say, ‘Okay, guys, I’ll be back,’ because I’ve learned that if I don’t take care of myself first, nothing else in the house runs smoothly.”
You know, it’s pretty obvious why Will would want to take a breather, right? I mean, we’ve all seen what Jada put the poor guy through. Remember back in 2020 when August Alsina spilled the beans about his affair with Jada, claiming Will was totally cool with it? That was rough…
August Alsina poured his heart out, saying, “I was all in with that relationship for years, genuinely loving her. I gave it everything I had, to the point where I could make peace with leaving this world knowing I gave my all.”
Then, Jada and Will went on “Red Table Talk” to talk about it, and Jada called it an “entanglement.” Can you believe it? Not only did Jada cheat with her son’s friend, but she also had the guts to interview Will about it! Talk about adding insult to injury. That whole situation was just a big mess, and everyone, including Chris Rock, had a field day with it.
Chris Rock jokingly quipped, “Let’s face it, we’ve all been on the wrong end of betrayal. It’s a universal experience. But hey, has anyone here ever had the pleasure of being interviewed by their ex on live TV? Yeah, me neither.”
Now, onto the infamous Oscars 2022 incident involving Chris Rock—brace yourselves—the atmosphere was charged as he stepped up to announce the winner for best documentary. Remember his playful jab about looking forward to seeing Jada in “G.I. Jane 2” because of her bald look? Well, the room took a sharp turn when Will, initially laughing along, swiftly strode onstage and seemed to dim the mood, fueled by murmurs of a pointed stare from Jada.
For many onlookers, this moment crystallized Jada’s reputation for manipulation. And the rumors run deeper. It’s whispered that Jada was the one who introduced Will to bisexuality, leading them down a path of involvement with young rappers in Hollywood.
Echoing these whispers, Tupac alleged, “They’re both in on it. They dabble in things most wouldn’t dare, and there are stories of young men fleeing their home, seemingly desperate to break free from their ‘guidance.'”
And let’s not overlook the fact that Jada herself admitted she never envisioned marriage for herself: “There’s so much pressure, you know, being a young actress, being young and pregnant. I just—I was just like, I didn’t know what to do, but I just knew. I was like, I never wanted to be married.”
This sentiment wasn’t a one-time thing; she reiterated it more than once. In a 2019 cover story with People magazine, she shared, “I never wanted to get married, but my mother was like, ‘You have to get married.’ She’s so old school, and Will wanted a family, so I said, ‘Alright, maybe it’s something I should do.'”
It’s quite something to grasp just how strongly she was opposed to marrying Will. Furthermore, there’s a widespread belief among many that the issue wasn’t merely marriage but Jada’s enduring affection for someone else. Yes, many believe that someone is Tupac. Poor Will—competing with a memory must be heartbreaking. Rest in peace, Tupac.
Some speculate that Jada might subtly remind Will of her lingering feelings for Tupac, possibly fueled by that poignant letter penned by Willow. In the letter, Willow, at just 11 years old, expressed her belief that Tupac was alive somewhere and implored him to return so that she and Jada could find happiness. Undoubtedly, Tupac remains a significant topic in their household.
Given the circumstances, one might wonder why Will hasn’t walked away. Well, he’s made it clear that, for him, divorce symbolizes the ultimate failure.
Will opened up about the pain of his divorce, admitting it felt like the ultimate failure in his life. Despite enduring various hardships as an adult, nothing compared to the sense of defeat he felt when separating from his son’s mother. Some speculate whether Jada, being well aware of his struggles, manipulates him into staying, regardless of the toll it takes on him. Close friend Nia observes these dynamics and may be growing tired of witnessing them unfold, echoing the concerns of others. Rapper Kodak Black even went as far as to suggest that Jada doesn’t deserve Will, offering himself as a better match. However, it seems the decision is already made, leaving uncertainty about Will’s future intentions, especially given his recent remarks. In a 2021 interview with GQ, he emphasized the importance of trust, freedom, and unconditional support in their relationship, rejecting the notion of marriage as a prison. Despite rumors circulating about their unconventional lifestyle, Will maintains that their bond is built on transparency and understanding, ensuring there are no surprises in their relationship.
“You both have spoken very openly. It’s a widely known tale—challenges within the marriage and how you’ve managed through them.”
“Absolutely not. Infidelity has never been a factor in our marriage. Never has, never will.”
“Jada and I share everything, and there have been no surprises between us. None.”
The way he confidently denies any infidelity in his marriage could indicate either denial or a significant influence over him. What’s your opinion? Is Jada still exerting control over Will? Have his close friends, like Nia, tried to intervene?
There’s been a lot of talk about people shipping Nia and Will, especially given Nia and Jada’s past rivalry.
“When I first started out as an actress, there were a few of us: Jada Pinkett Smith, Halle Berry, Regina King, and Jasmine Guy. But the rivalry I felt most strongly was with Jada.”
But let’s not jump to conclusions. I’m eager to hear your thoughts on Jada’s influence over Will and Nia’s perspective. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and stay tuned for our next video.
Thanks!
