Before marrying Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith was previously married to Sheree Zampino, with whom he shares a son, Trey. The couple divorced in 1995, but despite moving on to new relationships, they have worked to maintain a positive co-parenting relationship. However, the journey between Pinkett Smith and Zampino hasn’t always been smooth.
In a candid conversation on a past episode of Red Table Talk, Pinkett Smith, her mother Adrienne Banfield Norris, and Zampino opened up about their evolving relationship. Reflecting on the challenges, Pinkett Smith admitted, “We have developed a really nice sisterhood, but it hasn’t been easy along the way.” She added that at times, they had to “fake it to make it,” referencing their growth through moments of “toxic forgiveness.”
Zampino acknowledged that their friendship has been a continuous learning experience. Pinkett Smith elaborated on the difficulties of blending families, stressing that there is no clear “blueprint” for such situations. She admitted to crossing boundaries early on, underscoring the importance of maturity and forgiveness in navigating the complexities of co-parenting.
The two also recalled a specific incident when Trey misbehaved during a playdate. Zampino explained, “I literally walked in the house just to drop him off, and as soon as I walked in, Jada was like, ‘Listen, we gotta talk about his behavior,’ and I was like, ‘Go get his daddy, please.’” Both women agreed that the situation was messy, with boundaries often blurred as they worked to build a healthy dynamic for their blended family.