Will Smith and Jada Pinkett presented a united front in Paris, stepping out together days after a video of an interaction between them drew scrutiny from fans online.
The couple, who have been separated since 2016 but maintain an unconventional 'life partnership,' were in the French capital to support their son Jaden Smith during fashion week. They were seen leaving their hotel on Thursday, with both appearing cheerful.
Smith, 57, wore a burgundy baseball cap with matching trousers and a white top. Pinkett, 54, was seen in a flowing pink dress paired with chunky black boots.
The public appearance followed an incident earlier in the week where a clip circulated online, appearing to show Pinkett placing her hand on Smith's back as he signed autographs for fans in Paris. She then walked ahead of him and turned back briefly as photographers called her name. The clip was captioned by some online as Pinkett "shoving" Smith aside and walking away as if he were a stranger.
This alleged gesture led to a backlash from some of Smith's fans on social media, who criticized Pinkett's actions as "harsh" and "toxic." Comments included doubts about their continued relationship and references to past events.
Conversely, other online commentators defended Pinkett, interpreting her gesture as an acknowledgment rather than a shove. Some argued she was not ignoring him and was following their daughter. Representatives for the pair have not yet commented on the incident.
This appearance marks one of the few times the couple has been seen together publicly in recent months. They were previously spotted at a family dinner in Malibu in early June, their first joint appearance in approximately six months. That outing included Smith's mother and his son Trey.
Smith and Pinkett have been legally married since 1997 but have lived separately since 2016. Pinkett disclosed their separation in 2023, explaining that they were "exhausted with trying" and both "stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be." Despite living apart, Pinkett has stated she has not pursued a legal divorce, wanting to uphold a promise not to create a reason for one.
In a 2023 interview, Pinkett also addressed an affair she had with singer August Alsina, stating it occurred when she and Smith were separated. The pair also co-founded the entertainment company Westbrook, which has recently signed a first-look deal with Paramount for new films. This venture comes as Smith re-engages with Hollywood projects following the 2022 Academy Awards incident.