Analyse this: Jada Pinkett Smith

Analyse this: Jada Pinkett Smith

by TIFFANY ROSE
8th April 2007

At a mere 5ft, Jada Pinkett Smith may be petite, but the 35-year-old actress/singer and TV producer lives life large with her husband of ten years, movie star Will Smith. They have two children - a son Jaden, eight (who co-starred alongside his dad in The Pursuit Of Happyness) and daughter Willow, five. Jada is best known for her roles in The Nutty Professor, The Matrix and Collateral. Her new film, Reign Over Me, explores the effect on a man of losing his family on 9/11.

WHAT WERE YOUR DREAMS AS A CHILD?

To be a star! (Laughs) Oh yes, since I was three I wanted to be a star. I’ve achieved my dream. Once I got that first movie, I was like: ‘Done!’ Finished!’

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU ARE TRYING TO QUIT BUT CAN’T?

I'm one of those people who likes to do 100 things at once. There’s my heavy metal band Wicked Wisdom, as well as acting and producing television shows and movies - so I’m trying to focus on one. It’s a hard thing, because I’m a creative person and I’m constantly coming up with new ideas and find it hard to put anything on the backburner.

WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE STUCK IN AN ELEVATOR WITH?

Will. That could be so sexy...no windows. We could have some fun.

YOU AND WILL HAVE A LOT IN COMMON. WHAT’S THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE AT HOME?

You can’t have two superstars in the family. I will never have Will’s career, and I can’t do that because my kids wouldn’t have parents.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST EXTRAVAGANCE?

I’M a jewellery whore! I’m not wearing much today but it’s only the morning...

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST REGRET?

I have a few, but I’ve realised that without those regrets I wouldn’t even be close to the person I am today. I always say that pain is a blessing, because pain is the biggest motivator for change.

ARE YOU AN OPEN BOOK WHEN IT COMES TO EMOTIONS?

Who me? Ah no! I’ve learned that you cannot let emotions run you, but that you have to be in tune and connected to how you feel.

WHAT’S THE MOST ROMANTIC THING WILL’S DONE FOR YOU?

He's always doing really romantic things for me. If I’m going to a city to do a Press call, he’ll call the hotel and tell them to lay rose petals from the door to the bedroom and then he’ll have them arrange a heart in rose petals on the bed with a note inside saying: ‘I miss you already - love, Me.’

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE MORE LIKE YOUR MOTHER OR YOUR FATHER?

Both. All of my creativity and my wild mental journeys come from my father and I would say that my attitude, and my go-get-them kind of spirit would be from my mother.

WAS THERE A DEFINING MOMENT WHEN YOU REALISED YOU WERE FAMOUS?

I still haven’t realised that yet. It’s crazy because I’ve never looked at myself in that way. I’m still waiting for that defining moment.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR WEIRDEST EXPERIENCE WITH A FAN?

You'd think Will would get the crazies, but no -it’s my little 5ft-nothing ass! I had a weird experience in London once. A maid got into my hotel room and left notes for me in a Bible telling me how God had made a calling to her that I was going to save her. She got my mobile number and she was leaving me messages. It was a scary one.

WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

Haagen Dazs Egg Nog ice cream. Once I have a taste of that, consider it an empty carton.

YOUR NEW FILM IS ABOUT 9/11. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO STAR IN IT?

I play the wife of a man (Don Cheadle) whose best friend (Adam Sandler) loses his family on 9/11. The story was interesting in that it explored the people who’ve been left behind, and who’ve lost loved ones. It makes you appreciate what you have.


by TIFFANY ROSE
8th April 2007



For more info on Jada Koren Pinkett Smith, visit www.thejadapages.com