Will Smith Says:
Their relationship, he said, was tumultuous and “brutiful,” a portmanteau of brutal and beautiful. The two got together in their 20s, a time when Smith said he had huge dreams and was “on fire with a vision. And as I stand here before you today, I am happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I have achieved every single thing I have ever wanted in my entire life. There is not one thing left that I desire in this world — all of the awards, all of the money, the family — everything I’ve ever dreamed.”
“And those dreams were largely built on the foundation of Jada’s sacrifices,” he said. “There were many times when Jada put her career aside so I could follow the dreams of mine.”
He also credited Pinkett Smith for maintaining a close relationship with Zampino, putting him and their family “before herself” so all the kids could spend time together, Smith said.
“Can you show up and love somebody for the rest of your life, even when you don’t agree with them?” Smith asked. He referred to Pinkett Smith as his “best friend” and pledged to do just that.
“Jada is the best friend I have ever had on this planet and I am going to show up for her and support her for the rest of my life,” he said. The room broke into applause.
“Thank you all for being a place for Jada to find her voice,” Smith said. “Baltimore, coming home to you is really beautiful.”