Will Smith и Jada Pinkett Smith have found themselves back in the spotlight after their brief interaction during a recent trip to Paris sparked online controversy.
While some social media users questioned the nature of their relationship after the moment went viral, the renewed attention comes amid ongoing public interest in their unconventional marriage.
Will Smith has also been dogged by lawsuits related to alleged sexual assault, a case which a judge recently dismissed.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's outing in Paris has reignited discussions about their marriage.
Will and Jada recently became the subject of online controversy after their brief interaction in Paris sparked a heated backlash on social media.
The couple, who, despite claiming to have separated since 2016, had maintained an unconventional "life-style relationship," were in France with their children during Fashion Week events. Attention shifted to the couple after a video surfaced capturing the moment near their hotel.
In the video, Will stopped to greet supporters and sign autographs, while a crowd of fans and photographers gathered nearby. While he was chatting with fans, Jada walked past him, briefly placing her hand on his back before continuing on to the waiting car.
The seemingly ordinary incident quickly became the subject of online controversy after some social media users interpreted the gesture as dismissive, claiming she "pushed" her husband and quickly left him alone with his fans.
Critics claimed Jada seemed disinterested in her husband's interactions with fans, while several commenters called the moment awkward and questioned the dynamic of their relationship.
You can watch the viral video here.
The viral video has sparked mixed reactions online.
On social media, fans shared different opinions about the interaction between Will and Jada, with some claiming she was "cruel" towards the actor.
One user wrote in a viral post on X: "Jada Pinkett pushed Will Smith away while he was signing autographs for fans and walked away like he was a complete stranger.".
Another person wrote: "She's either got some crazy blackmail or witchcraft going on because how the hell has he not left this woman yet?"«
However, many came to Jada's defense, claiming that her interactions with Will were "normal" and showed no signs of tension.
«"You all love to make a mountain out of a molehill. He stopped in the middle of the path as she was walking, and she was just about to leave," said one of those present.
Another user wrote: "I think they were walking together and then she just stepped aside because she wasn't the one signing autographs.".
Jada Pinkett Smith reflects on her split from Will: 'We were just tired of trying.'.
The controversy comes amid ongoing public interest in the couple's relationship years after Jada revealed in 2023 that she and Will had quietly separated in 2016. Despite living separately, both have repeatedly emphasized their commitment to each other and their decision not to formally end their marriage.
The couple, who married in 1997, have spoken openly about the difficulties they've faced over the years. In an interview, Jada explained that both she and Will reached a point of exhaustion trying to live up to the expectations they had of each other, leading them to rethink their relationship rather than formally divorce.
«By 2016, we were just tired of trying,» she said during her appearance on the program. Today with Hoda Kotb. "I think we're both still stuck in our own fantasies of what we think the other person should be like.".
She also revealed that the promise she made at the beginning of their marriage continues to influence their decision not to divorce. "I promised that we would never have any reason to divorce. We would overcome all difficulties. And I simply couldn't break that promise," she added.
Will Smith has landed the lead role in the TV series "Supermax," continuing his return to Hollywood.
While their personal lives continue to attract attention, Will and Jada remain active professionally. Will is set to star in the crime thriller "Supermax," which will be one of his first major original film projects in several years.
The film follows two FBI agents investigating a murder in one of the world's most secure prisons. Filming is expected to begin later this year, with Will playing one of the lead roles.
The couple also continues to work together through their entertainment company, Westbrook, which recently entered into a first-look deal with Paramount Pictures.
The partnership is seen as another step in Will's gradual return to major Hollywood projects following the controversy at the 2022 Oscars involving Chris Rock. Under the agreement, Will is expected to star in select projects, while Jada will focus on producing and content development.
Will Smith has won an early court battle after his sexual harassment case was dismissed.
Meanwhile, last month, Will also scored a legal victory after a judge dismissed a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former touring violinist Brian King Joseph.
Joseph claimed that an incident at a Las Vegas hotel in 2025 created a hostile work environment. According to the case file, he claimed someone entered his room without permission and left a handwritten note, along with several personal items, including wet wipes, beer, and HIV medication.
He claimed the incident was related to Will and later sued for sexual harassment and wrongful termination, claiming he was suspended for raising his concerns.
However, the court ruled that the allegations presented did not meet the legal standards required for a sexual harassment claim. The judge found that the complaint "failed to establish sufficient grounds to allege conduct of sufficient severity or pervasiveness.".
The ruling also noted that Joseph had failed to prove that Will or members of his management team were the only ones who could have had access to the hotel room, citing circumstances indicating that others could have had access to the room key during the relevant period.
As a result, the lawsuit was dismissed. However, Joseph was allowed to amend and refile the lawsuit if he could correct the deficiencies identified by the court.
Read also: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett are fueling dating rumors with their latest public appearance together.