Will Smith appeared with a completely shaved head this week at the E1 Series Monaco Grand Prix in Monaco. The 57-year-old actor, who owns a competing team in the all-electronic boat-racing event, was seen smiling and posing for photographs.
Smith's public appearance comes weeks after a video circulating online showed an interaction between him and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, in Paris. In the clip, as Smith was signing autographs for fans, Pinkett Smith, who was with him, placed a hand on his back and walked away in a different direction. The video was accompanied by captions suggesting Pinkett Smith had "shoved" him and walked away as if he were a stranger.
This incident drew significant reactions from online commentators, with many criticizing Pinkett Smith's actions and labeling their relationship as "toxic." Some users expressed bewilderment at Smith's continued involvement with Pinkett Smith, while others defended her, suggesting her gesture was simply an acknowledgement and not a shove.
The couple, who married in 1997, have been living in an unconventional "life partnership" since separating in 2016. Despite their separation, they have remained legally married and have reportedly been living together again. Their last joint public appearance prior to the Paris incident was a family dinner in early June, their first in six months, which included Smith's mother and their children Jaden and Trey.
In 2023, Pinkett Smith confirmed their separation in 2016, explaining on the "Today" show that they were "exhausted with trying" and "both still stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be." She also stated that she had made a promise not to divorce Smith and had been unable to break it, confirming they live separately.
Last month, it was reported that Smith is set to star in "Supermax," his first non-franchise film in years, with production slated to begin in August. This follows a period where Smith had been largely absent from major Hollywood projects after the incident at the Academy Awards where he slapped Chris Rock. In addition to his acting roles, Smith and Pinkett Smith have been involved in business ventures, including their entertainment company Westbrook signing a first-look deal with Paramount for new theatrical films.