Where's Will Smith? Jada Pinkett makes first public appearance after slapgate without beleaguered hubby
Jada Pinkett Smith grinned from ear to ear at her first public appearance on Saturday, April 9, since her husband Will Smith's sensational Oscars controversy.
Pinkett Smith posed on the red carpet alongside 'Grey’s Anatomy' creator, head writer, and executive producer Shonda Rhimes and five-time Emmy award-winning actress from the same series Debbie Allen for the grand opening of the Rhimes Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles on Saturday. Pinkett Smith donned a glittering gold dress and matching gold earrings as she was also snapped alongside Samuel L Jackson and his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson at the star-studded affair. The 24,000 square foot venue will reportedly host the reputed Debbie Allen Dance Academy and feature several studios, including one for Will Smith and Jada, Page Six reported.
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Jada Pinkett Smith has arrived at Rhimes Performing Arts Center opening, making her first public appearance since the Oscars. (A section of new building is named for her and Will Smith.) Chatting with Billy Porter and Maxine Waters. She’s not doing any interviews tonight… pic.twitter.com/XpuwDgdYEy
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) April 10, 2022
Jada Pinkett-Smith attends the Debbie Allen x Shonda Rhimes Performing Arts Center Grand Opening. https://t.co/ch1s1hHf9j
— Shutterstock Editorial (@ShutterstockNow) April 10, 2022
📷 Matt Baron/ @shutterstock pic.twitter.com/RTgRoIvgXI
The 50-year-old actress kept her distance from the limelight since her husband slapped comedian Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards ceremony on March 27 for poking fun at her shaved head. Jada reportedly suffers from alopecia. Smith's whereabouts are unknown after he was banned from all Oscars events for 10 years as a result of the slap. However, he's allowed to retain his Best Actor award for 'King Richard' -- which he received just moments after hitting Rock. MEAWW previously reported how Smith planned to take a vacation at a luxury resort to do some "soul searching" amid the controversy.
In the official letter sent by the Academy's President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson, as reported by CBS News, said, “The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year; however, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage.” The letter further stated, “Today, the Board of Governors convened a meeting to discuss how best to respond to Will Smith's actions at the Oscars, in addition to accepting his resignation. The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards."
Smith later responded to the letter in a brief statement saying, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.” The Academy in their letter also applauded how Chris Rock handled the entire situation. “We want to express our deep gratitude to Mr Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances," read the letter, adding, “We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters, and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast.”
Jada, during her Saturday appearance, seemed rather unperturbed by the media storm surrounding her husband. MEAWW previously reported how a resurfaced video showed Jada saying she "never wanted to be married" to Will but was pressured to as she was pregnant. The actress has on many occasions made light of their relationship. In one video, she openly said she regretted dating Will while he was still married. In another, she said she wasn't "mature enough" to divorce Will and believed she never will be able to. She also sparked outrage after a clip showed her laughing at Rock's joke after he was assaulted by her husband on the Oscars stage.