Jada Pinkett Smith, Sheree Zampino, Adrienne Banfield Norris, and Jana Kramer at Red Table Talk. Image Source: People
Jada Pinkett Smith talks about her relationship with Will Smith’s ex, Sheree Zampino.
In a recent episode of Red Table Talk, Jada Pinkett Smith shared that although she and Will Smith’s ex, Sheree Zampino, get along well now, the process of getting there took some time.
Sheree Zampino, Will Smith's ex-wife, appeared alongside co-hosts Adrienne Banfield Norris , Jana Kramer and Jada Pinkette Smith. The women discussed their relationship and how it has evolved over time. Jada stated that they had formed a nice sisterhood, but it had not been easy because they sometimes had to fake it to make it, prompting the group to discuss toxic forgiveness.
Sheree Zampino also revealed that they have been understanding how to befriend one another since they were babies, making reference to her three-year marriage to actor Will Smith before he married Jada Pinkett Smith in 1997. Jada went on to say that they had to figure out how to blend into the family without having any idea or blueprint for how to do so.
Sheree stated that it was really about maturity and not understanding the marital dynamic, such as 'OK, the divorce papers were sent, and individuals are over it, and this is done.' Jada went on to say that it is never done and that her biggest myth is that this woman is a member of this family. It's as if they're not only taking on their son, Trey Smith, but also Sheree as part of the package. She also stated that she needed to forgive herself because she did remember when she crossed a line.
The former couple and Jada Pinkett Smith faced their fair share of difficulties while co-parenting Trey Smith and the ladies recalled one such incident in which Jada Pinkett Smith told Sheree that they needed to talk about Trey's behavior, to which Jada admitted that there was a lot of interweaving and it got out of hand. Jada Pinkett Smith also recounted an incident in which Sheree Zampino paraded into her and Will's main bedroom to see what was going on, such as how it was styled.
Jada explained that it was early on and she assumed Sheree was just letting her know who the queen bee was and that she had chosen the house, so she couldn't say anything. Zampino later praised Jada for always treating Trey with respect and said that her heart was always in the right place, wanting the best for him. Will Smith had to step in during the premiere episode in 2018, and Jada said Will Smith let her have it and told her that she was Trey's mother and that was not her place. Sheree added later that the next time they met, they made an attempt to make things work, and she remembered Jada always apologizing and thanking her for it.
Sheree Zampino also mentioned an emotional conversation she had with her son Trey during the conversation, saying that Trey told her that he did not feel loved by her as a child. Sheree stated that one of the things Trey said to her while working on repentance was confessing how he felt, and he explained that she did not care about feelings, and that was the crux of the matter. Sheree explained to the women that as Trey grew up and fell or something happened, he would be disappointed because she was surrounded by so many women.
Instead of just sitting in that space with him and asking him how he feels, she would say, "He's okay," and cheer him on. Sheree Zampino said she was able to continue the conversation with her son and better understand his feelings about eight months ago.
She said to him that he was so right about her not being able to love him or understand him and explained that she "didn't know how" to care about his feelings at the time. Sheree said that she was constantly rushing explaining that she kept telling her that they have to be stoic, tough, and tough to get through life adding that she couldn't be bothered with Trey's feelings because she couldn't be bothered with hers. She was operating on autopilot.
Jada Pinkett Smith dropped the small bomb during the show and only clarified after Sheree Zampino asked her to. She stated the following Sheree and Will Smith go on trips when she is not around and do their thing. Not romantically, she clarified but added that if he goes on a book tour and Will's mom and sister go, it's fun to watch them enjoy each other. Jada added that it takes time, but they are not having any problems. She also acknowledged that because of hers and Will Smith's relationship that was very public, Sheree Zampino was not given enough time to adjust to the idea of her ex-husband's new relationship. Sheree Zampino shared that she recalled Jada coming up to her and apologizing for getting involved with Will Smith too soon and she appreciated the apology.
The Facebook Watch original series Red Table Talk airs new episodes every Wednesday at noon ET/9 a.m. PT.
