'The View' cohost accuses Jada Pinkett Smith of talking about Will Smith separation 'to sell books'
- "The View" discussed Jada Pinkett Smith's bombshell that she separated from Will Smith in 2016.
- Cohost Ana Navarro accused Pinkett Smith of revealing the news "to sell books."
"The View" cohost Ana Navarro has accused Jada Pinkett Smith of revealing her separation from husband Will Smith to "sell books."
On Wednesday's episode of the ABC talk show, Navarro and her fellow cohosts discussed Pinkett Smith's bombshell announcement in an interview with "Today" show host Hoda Kotb.
Pinkett Smith said that she and Smith have been separated since 2016, however, they don't plan to divorce.
"Why do I know so much about these people's marriage?" Navarro said on Wednesday's edition of "The View."
"I kind of feel like I know more about their marriage than I know about my own damn marriage," said Navarro. "I don't need to know all of this. You know what? I just want to watch reruns of 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' and 'Bad Boys.' Just leave this out of my head."
Navarro continued: "Listen, I think she's having a relationship with her bank account because every time she needs to increase the ratings of the 'Red Table,' every time she needs to sell books, she drops these bombshells. I find it unseemly. Be careful of anybody who pretends to have a perfect marriage."
A spokesperson for Pinkett Smith did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Pinkett Smith's memoir, "Worthy," is set to be published next week. She made the admission about her marriage in an interview airing Friday in advance of the book's release.
Navarro's cohost Joy Behar, meanwhile, said Pinkett Smith is "smart" to use the news to boost her book sales.
Sunny Hostin added: "I think it's a brave thing to do. I think it's a courageous thing to do. I think it has less to do with money. She has plenty."
Hostin said she is fascinated by the story because she feels the new information changes the circumstances of the couple's recent controversies.
The Smiths hit the headlines in 2020 over Pinkett Smith's relationship with the singer August Alsina, and in 2022, Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars over a joke Rock made about Pinkett Smith.
As the discussion continued, another cohost, Alyssa Farah Griffin, pointed out another bombshell from Pinkett Smith's new memoir involving Rock.
Pinkett Smith told People that Rock once asked her on a date amid unsubstantiated reports that the Smiths were going to get divorced.
"So that also might be a plot twist here," Griffin said. "Still doesn't deserve the slap."
Finally, Sara Haines said the situation is setting a bad example for the couple's two children, Willow and Jaden.
"Usually, I say whatever works for couples, but I don't know if this is working," Haines said. "When you hear each of them talk, it sounds like there's so much pain and trauma. The kids are living through this. I don't pretend that marriage is perfect, but you are the example to your children about what loving relationships look like."