Jada Pinkett Smith Admitted She ‘Lied’ to Secure Her Role in ‘The Matrix’ Sequels

Many actors have admitted to lying to get a gig. Jada Pinkett Smith once revealed that when she was offered the role of Niobe in The Matrix Reloaded and was pregnant, she kind of, sort of lied to secure the job.

‘The Matrix’ role was custom-made for Jada Pinkett Smith

Pinkett Smith auditioned for the role of Trinity in The Matrix but didn’t get the part. She definitely made a great impression on the writers and directors, however, as a custom role was created specifically for the actor for The Matrix Reloaded.

The actor explained why she lost out on the role of Trinity in the original film — and it came down to chemistry. During a 2015 interview on The Howard Stern Show, the actor admitted, “Keanu and I didn’t, uh, really click. We just didn’t have any chemistry, he and I.”

“I do wish [I had been cast as Trinity], but I look at Carrie-Anne [Moss] and I just go, she’s freaking amazing. There’s no way in the world I would have brought that.”

The Matrix‘s directors, the Wachowskis, were impressed with Pinkett Smith and created the role of Niobe for The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.

Jada Pinkett Smith said she ‘lied’ to get the part

Though the role was created for her, Pinkett Smith might have lost out on playing the part if she had been 100% truthful. The actor was pregnant with daughter Willow at the time and the filming schedule required her to begin in November. There was one small problem — her daughter was due that same month.

In a video for Vanity Fair, in which Pinkett Smith talked about her career highlights, she confessed that she “lied” just a little bit so she could secure the role.

“I didn’t get Trinity, but they kept me in mind. And they wrote a part for me called Niobe,” she explained. “And I’ll never forget when they called me in and they were like, Jada, we have this role for you, Niobe, but you’re pregnant.”

“And I’ll tell you a secret. I lied,” Pinkett Smith said. “Because Willow was supposed to be due November 11 but I told them, ‘No worries, the baby’s coming in October, so by the time the end of November comes, I’m going to be ready.'”

Pinkett Smith made the short turnaround work

Willow was born before her due date but there still wasn’t much time for PInkett Smith to have a baby and get ready for filming The Matrix Reloaded. She made it work though.

“Let me tell you, my baby girl came on October 31st,” the actor said. “Do you know mama was ready. I was ready. End of November to start The Matrix. Pushed that baby out, got in the gym and got it together.”

Pinkett Smith added, “We were poppin’ ready, San Francisco here we come. We ’bout to be in a classic. Boom.”