Nia Long has a lot of respect and empathy for Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith. Page Six picked up an interview with the actress this week with Entertainment Tonight in which she discussed her thoughts on the recent reports regarding Will and Jada’s marriage.
In case you missed it, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will confirmed over the past few weeks that Jada had a brief relationship with August Alsina amid her short separation with Will a few years back. Nia claimed she felt really bad for both of them because they’ve been so open and vulnerable with their story.
Long said to reporters from the outlet that it takes a lot of courage to be so open about the ups and downs of one’s relationship. Nia went on to say that everyone out there in the world has their own complicated relationships with love, and there are definitely ups and downs.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/CCtPfUVDtNy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading[/embed]Moreover, Long spoke on the “tremendous” pressure that comes with hosting a show like Red Table Talk on Facebook. The series features discussions with Jada and her family regarding some of the more serious issues that women and families face.
The 49-year-old actress referred to Smith as an “icon” in the black community and wishes people would leave them alone and let them live in peace free from judgment. According to Long, the key to any relationship is to give the other person room to live their life on their own terms.
How this looks in practice, Long explained, is that she’ll get up and say she’s leaving the house for a moment without explanation. Nia says she often says she’s leaving and no one asks her what she’s been up to.
The star admitted that if she doesn’t at least do that, then nothing else in the household gets done properly. As it was noted above, the response to Will and Jada’s relationship woes has been mixed in the black and hip-hop community.
For instance, 50 Cent shaded Will on Instagram regarding Jada’s revelation on her show. Offset, however, from Migos, defended Will and claimed the actor could easily steal anyone of his haters’ girlfriends if he wanted too.