Jada Pinkett’s “toyboy lover” speaks out, claiming they had a four-year affair
Is their marriage really as open as some are saying?
You’ve probably heard the long-whispered rumour that actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith are in an open marriage. But last week it was more of a shout, as one of the couple’s friends publicly claimed he’d been in a four-year relationship with Jada. Singer August Alsina spoke out about how he’d “really, really deeply loved” Jada, adding that her husband knew the whole time – and even gave his blessing.
“I totally gave myself to that relationship for years of my life,” the 27-year-old singer/songwriter from New Orleans explained. “And I truly and really, really deeply loved – and have a ton of love for – her. I devoted myself to it, I gave my full self to it.” In the video chat, August went on to say he could “die right now and be OK”, knowing that he had loved Jada, and added, “I experienced that and I know what that feels like, and some people never get that in this lifetime. I know that I am completely blessed. And this conversation is difficult because… it would be hard for people to understand, but once it starts to affect me and my livelihood, I have to speak up about my truth.”
The star, who is currently promoting a new album, has been a long-time friend of the family, attending the 2017 BET Awards with Jada, 48, and reportedly holidaying in Hawaii with the couple and their two children, Jaden, 21, and Willow, 19. In the chat last week, August revealed how he’d met the family through Jaden, and talked openly with Will about Jada, saying, “I actually sat down with Will and had a conversation… he gave me his blessing.”
Fans have long wondered about the close relationship, particularly after an interview August gave in February 2019, where he was asked about Jada. Speaking emotionally, he admitted, “She has played such a huge role in my life,” adding that she had restored his faith “in people and in humans and in women”. At the time, he called her a friend, saying, “She is somebody that I believe should or could and would be the greatest part of someone’s life in friendship,” and insisted he was just as close with the rest of the family.
Will, 51, and Jada have denied August’s claim, although Jada hinted last week that she would address the situation on her own show, Red Table Talk.
She tweeted, “There’s some healing that needs to happen… so I’m bringing myself to The Red Table.”
This isn’t the first time they’ve dealt with a report like this regarding their 23-year marriage. Back in 2013, Jada seemed to hint at affairs, saying, “I’ve always told Will, ‘You can do whatever you want as long as you can look at yourself in the mirror and be OK’.” A couple of years later, she stoked fires by commenting, “Just because your man is attracted to another woman does not mean he doesn’t love you.”
But in 2017, she also slammed reports claiming they enjoyed orgies, saying, “The craziest rumour? That Will and I are swingers. I’m like, ‘Yo, I wish!’” But it was Will who made the most telling statement two years ago, revealing, “We don’t even say we’re married any more. We refer to ourselves as life partners.” n
‘She has played such a huge role in my life’