In a stunning revelation, actress Jada Pinkett Smith has disclosed in a recent interview that she and her husband, Will Smith, have been living apart since 2016. The couple, who had been leading separate lives for seven years, chose to keep their separation under wraps until now, according to Pinkett Smith's confession to NBC. Describing themselves as "exhausted with trying," they made the difficult decision to go their separate ways. Despite living apart, however, the couple has decided not to pursue a divorce.

During an interview clip with NBC, Pinkett Smith, 52, shared that she had made a promise to herself and to Smith, 55, that they would never get a divorce, a promise she has been unable to break. She reflected on their relationship, admitting, "I think we were both kind of just still stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be."

This revelation comes just ahead of the release of Pinkett Smith's highly anticipated memoir, entitled "Worthy," which is set to hit bookshelves next week. The memoir is expected to shed further light on the complexities of their relationship and provide insights into their decision to separate.

Last year, the couple made headlines when Smith stormed the stage at the Oscars and slapped host Chris Rock. The incident occurred after Rock made a joke about Pinkett Smith's baldness, a result of her struggle with alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss. In a separate interview with People magazine, Pinkett Smith expressed her initial disbelief, stating, "I thought, 'This is a skit.'" She only realized it was not staged when Smith began walking back to his seat. Despite the incident, Pinkett Smith remains committed to supporting her husband through his own journey of self-discovery. She affirmed, "I'm going to be by his side but also allow him to have to figure this out for himself."

Speculation about the state of their marriage had already arisen in 2020, when the couple appeared together on Pinkett Smith's Facebook show, Red Table Talk, to address Pinkett Smith's “entanglement” with artist August Alsina. The couple's relationship dates back to 1994, when Pinkett Smith auditioned for Smith's show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. They eventually tied the knot in 1997 and have two children together, Jaden and Willow Smith, in addition to Smith's son, Trey, from his first marriage to Sheree Zampino.

In her interview with People, Pinkett Smith also delved into her personal struggles with mental health, revealing her battles with depression and even contemplating suicide. She also discussed her use of the psychedelic drug ayahuasca as part of her journey towards healing and self-discovery.

With Pinkett Smith's memoir on the horizon, readers can expect an intimate and candid exploration of her personal life, including her relationship with Smith and the challenges they have faced along the way. As the world eagerly awaits the release of "Worthy," it is clear that Pinkett Smith's revelations will continue to captivate and spark conversations about love, marriage, and personal growth.