Jada Pinkett-Smith: Golden Girl
hollywood has another thing coming
2008-11-12
By Gil Robertson IV
After nearly 20-years in entertainment, Jada Pinkett-Smith has created an enviable position for herself in Hollywood. Not only is she married to the number one box office star in the world, and mother to budding actors Jaden and Willow, but she has a career in her own right with several major roles (Ali, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolution) listed on her imdb.com profile. Along with her husband, Will she’s a principal partner of Overbrook Entertainment, one of the industry’s leading management and production companies. The Baltimore native has traveled a long way since her first starring role in Menace to Society, in 1993, but remains just as resilient, opinionated, graceful and real.
Have It All; Have It Delivered…
I have a lot of help. I have a great husband and my mother is very helpful with my children. But what I really feel keeps me going is joy. What I’ve learned in my life is that I really can do as much as I want to do and have as much as I want to have. As long as I’m happy, I’m really motivated. So I’m not willing to compromise. I want to be great mother; I want to be a great wife and I want to have a great career; and I feel like I can have all those things and not compromise one area of my life. This is my life and I am determined to have all the things that I want.
Project Green Light…
I just directed my first feature [The Human Contract] and I’m now working on a new TV show called “Time Heals” for TNT. Our production company released two films this year that I’m really passionate about, The Secret Life of Bees and Lakeview Terrace. I’m very pleased that Will and I were able to get them both made. We are very lucky to be at a point where we can go to the studios and they can trust us enough to green light our projects and get it done. For me “Secret Life of Bees” was a project that I am very happy to see out there. I hope to continue to help bring projects like that for African Americans and other audiences. I’m just trying to be creative and expansive across the board.
The President-elect…
I have very big and grand expectations. Everybody knows that I am a big Barack and Michelle fan. I am just inspired by the idea that change is very possible and in my opinion Obama inspires that idea.
About Mother Africa…
Will and I just got back from Africa, where we went to Tanzania and spent some time literally in the bush. Every time I go to Africa, it’s an epiphany and a very spiritual experience. When I step foot on African soil I feel like I’ve returned home. Africa is one of the most spiritual places that I have had the pleasure of visiting. Will and I try to make it there at least once a year.
Body Language…
I’ve always been that girl who wanted more body so this was a great opportunity for me. I’ve got a character who’s got a lot of body, so it was my dream come true. I think that’s a really wonderful message for a lot of adults and children that your body is what you have and that you have to be happy in your own skin. Happiness comes from within, self-love comes from within, and if you can truly authentically love yourself that will permeate through the physical universe and you will attract people that will love you. That’s who Gloria is—she’s a loveable, hefty momma.
Gil Robertson IV is an A&E journalist and bestselling author. His work covering the entertainment industry has appeared in numerous publications that include the LA Times, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Black Enterprise magazine.
