Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Jada Pinkett Smith says alpha males ‘don’t pay attention to feelings’ on Red Table Talk

Pinkett Smith said she has had to learn that men with ‘that alpha male spirit’ ‘don’t pay attention to feelings’

Tom Murray
Thursday 29 September 2022 01:10 EDT
Comments
Jada Pinkett Smith discusses Will Smith Oscars slap for first time

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jada Pinkett Smith spoke about “alpha male spirit” during Hayden Panettiere’s appearance on her Facebook Watch series, Red Table Talk, on Wednesday (28 September).

During the show, Panettiere spoke about her struggle with post-partum depression, which fuelled her addiction to alcohol.

The Heroes actor was, at the time, married to heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko who she said didn’t understand her mental health issues.

“I respect him for being such a driven human being... athletes, they’re very diligent, that mentality is just pretty incredible,” Panettiere said of her ex-husband, from whom she separated in 2018.

“But, he’s also a man who doesn’t have any sisters so he really thought I was doing it to myself,” she continued.

“[He thought] It was a matter of willpower,” Pinkett Smith’s cohost and mother, Adrienne Banfield Norris, interjected.

Panettiere revealed that the boxer signs off his emails writing, “If you control your mind, you control everything,” which she said frustrates her because it’s “so not true”.

Jada Pinkett Smith on ‘Red Table Talk’
Jada Pinkett Smith on ‘Red Table Talk’ (Facebook Watch)

Pinkett Smith then said that she has had to learn that men with “that alpha male spirit” “don’t pay attention to feelings”.

In March, Pinkett Smith’s husband Will Smith infamously slapped Oscar presenter Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke at his wife’s expense.

Earlier this month, Rock denounced Will’s apology.

In a video shared in July, Will had said: “I will say to you, Chris, I apologise to you. My behaviour was unacceptable and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.”

He also answered fan questions about the moment, and denied that Pinkett Smith had asked him to act on her behalf.

“I made a choice on my own,” Smith said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in