Jada Pinkett Smith
"I learned that surrounding myself with people who are able to help me is like being surrounded by tangible godliness."
American actress and talk-show host Jada Pinkett Smith has been in the public eye for many years, carving out a name for herself as both a talent and a media personality on screen.
She first rose to fame in her role on A Different World in the early 90s, but she is also known for starring in The utty Professor, Scream 2, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, Bad Moms, and Girls Trip. She has also won a Daytime Emmy Award for her work as a co-host on Red Table Talk, and launched her own music career.
In late 2023, Pinkett Smith turned her talents to writing, and published Worthy. This autobiography delves into her into story with raw honesty and engaging storytelling. She explains her upbringing, her marriage to global megastar Will Smith, and her journey to discovering her own worth.
Meet Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Koren Pinkett was born in Baltimore in 1971, with a mix of Jamaican, Bajan, and African-American ancestry. Her parents had a very quick marriage of only a few months before getting divorced, leaving Jada to be raised by her mother and grandmother.
It was Jada’s grandmother who first introduced her to the performing arts, enrolling her in ballet, tap dance, and piano lessons. She went on to attend the Baltimore School for the Arts, where she famously spent time with friend and classmate Tupac Shakur. At the time, Jada was also dealing drugs.
Jada began acting in television and films in the early 90s, then started directing music videos soon after. Following her role in The Nutty Professor, her rise to fame only continued with more acting work for the next several decades.
In 1997, Jada married actor Will Smith, whom she had met while auditioning for a part on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. The couple have two children together, Jaden and Willow, who have both stepped into the limelight with their own careers.