Jada Pinkett Smith and Sheree Zampino recall blazing arguments over ‘blended family’

Jada Pinkett Smith told Sheree Zampino ‘it’s my house now’ when she moved in with Will Smith

Hollie Richardson
Tuesday 17 August 2021 10:48 EDT
Comments
Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith (EPA-EFE)

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.

Could you be friends with an ex? That’s the big question explored in an episode of Red Table Talk shared on Instagram this week.

Jada Pinkett Smith, 49, speaks with Sheree Zampino, 53 – who used to be married to Pinkett Smith’s husband, Will Smith, 52 – about the ups and downs of having a ‘blended family’.

Zampino and Smith had a son, Trey, and were married for three years until they split in 1992. Smith married Pinkett Smith in 1997 when she was three months pregnant with her son Jaden.

A family like this, which consists of a couple, the children they have had together, and their children from previous relationships, is what is often referred to as a ‘blended family’.

Although the family members openly talk about getting on well with each other today, it hasn’t always been easy for them.

Alongside the clip of Pinkett Smith and Zampino’s discussion, the caption reads: “Creating a blended family unit isn’t easy. We’re inspired by what Jada and Sheree have built, but it took work getting there.”

The video shows the two women reflecting on their relationship with each other in the early days.

“You picked up the phone and I wasn’t really respectful,” Zampino recalls. “I’m calling to talk to Trey but I had to go through you.

“You basically let me know, ‘I don’t really appreciate your tone’. I was like, ‘It don’t matter’. And you hung up on me.”

The pair break out into laughter as Zampino continues: “I called back and I happened to say, quote: ‘B*tch you living in a house that I picked out.’

“You said, ‘It’s my house now.”

Explaining the turning point in their relationship, Zampino adds: “The next time I saw you, you [were] in the foyer of my house. You took the initiative to make things right.

“And the one thing I will say about is that you will always say, ‘Ree, I apologise’ You always own that. Thank you for that. “

Responding to the conversation, one fan wrote: “We have a blended family. My husband’s ex is not in the picture but my husband, myself, the children’s father and the kids are a blended family. It takes maturity and wanting to be an example to our kids of what a blended family looks like.”

Another follower who related replied: “This should be normal. I will never understand people that make life more difficult than is necessary. This way means everybody wins!”

And a fan asserted: “When QUEENS can connect and reconcile… it’s power in that. I admire them both.”

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