Will Smith’s past betrayals deeply eroded his trust in women, a key reason behind the unraveling of his first marriage.

Before his relationship with Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith had already experienced the highs and lows of marriage with Sheree Zampino. Their whirlwind romance began in the ’90s, but beneath the surface, unresolved issues would ultimately doom their union.

Will Smith in Men in Black 3 || Sony Pictures Releasing

Over the years, the actor has been quite vocal about his regrets, revealing how past relationships left him with a profound distrust of women—a mistrust that played a significant role in the dissolution of his first marriage.

The Heartbreak Will Smith Faced Before Jada Pinkett Smith

Before his enduring relationship with Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith was married to Sheree Zampino. The duo had crossed paths in 1991 on the set of A Different World and were introduced by a mutual acquaintance. Interestingly, the Men in Black actor had visited the show with the intention of meeting Jada Pinkett Smith, who was a part of the series.

Jada Pinkett Smith in Girls Trip || Universal Pictures

However, Zampino caught his attention, and they ended up forming a close connection. This relationship quickly blossomed, leading to their marriage in 1992 and the birth of their son Trey Smith in the same year. But while Smith always dreamed of being a family man, this marriage didn’t survive the test of time as the couple separated in 1995.

The actor reflected on his first marriage in a 1998 interview with Rolling Stone, admitting that he “didn’t trust women” due to past experiences with infidelity. This was the main reason why his relationship with Zampino reached a dead end. After a tough split, the actor eventually began dating Pinkett Smith in 1995 and got married two years later, in 1997.

While the duo has been living different lives since 2016, they still hold deep affection for each other. Even going as far as to claim that divorce was never an option for them (via Independent).

Will Smith Seeks Return to Oscars Academy After Slap Controversy

The Men in Black actor is hoping for a chance to redeem himself after the infamous Oscar slap got him banned from the event for 10 years. For this, he’s leveraging his latest success, Bad Boys 4, to appeal to the Academy for an early lift on his suspension. An insider revealed to In Touch (via Yahoo!) that Smith’s supporters emphasize his genuine apology.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys 4 || Sony Pictures Releasing

However, some Academy members still believe his actions warranted more severe consequences, including arrest. However, the growing public support and increased diversity within the Academy could work in the actor’s favor, as fans are rallying for his return to the spotlight.

The altercation between Chris Rock and Will Smith took place at the 94th Academy Awards in 2022. When a joke made by Rock towards Pinkett Smith didn’t sit well with the actor. Responding to the same, he got on stage and slapped Rock for making fun of Pinkett’s alopecia.

This incident overshadowed what was meant to be a career-defining moment for Smith, who won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in King Richard.