Will Smith vs. Jada Pinkett Smith: Who Holds More Power in Hollywood Right Now?
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have been Hollywood power players for decades, but their influence has shifted in recent years to being known for their unconventional union rather than their accomplishments. Both have shaped pop culture in different ways throughout their 28-year marriage. But in 2025, who holds the most power in Hollywood; Will or Jada?
Will Smith emerges from a career-ending moment
Will Smith has been a dominant force in Hollywood for over 30 years. With box office hits like Men in Black, Bad Boys, and The Pursuit of Happyness, Smith solidified his reputation as a bankable leading man. His performance in Emancipation earned critical acclaim, and 2024’s Bad Boys 4 reignited his action-hero status.
However, despite making headlines for slapping Chris Rock during the 2022 Oscars and receiving a 10-year Academy ban (and the Best Actor statuette), Smith continues to secure major roles, proving that Hollywood hasn’t fully turned its back on him. Despite setbacks, his ability to rebound suggests he still wields significant industry influence.
Since the incident, Smith has focused on his work, including the release of his new album, Based on a True Story, where he addresses the controversies that have plagued him for the last three years. He has publicly apologized to Rock, the Academy, and audiences for his actions and has taken steps to move forward.
Still, while Smith insists he has put those moments behind him, his marriage to Jada Pinkett Smith keeps his name in the media. The couple’s unconventional relationship—having lived separately since 2016—continues to spark discussions. However, Smith’s decision to stay relatively silent on the matter suggests he wants the focus to remain on his career and legacy in entertainment rather than on personal controversies.
While his reputation took a hit, Hollywood loves a redemption arc, and Smith appears to be on one. If he continues making strong career moves, he could fully reclaim his status as one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures.
Jada Pinkett Smith carves out her own lane
Jada Pinkett Smith has carved out her own niche in Hollywood beyond acting. While she has had a successful career with roles in Set It Off, The Matrix franchise, and Girls Trip, her biggest impact was via Red Table Talk.
The candid Facebook Watch series was a cultural phenomenon, sparking viral discussions on relationships, mental health, and personal growth. Even after the series was canceled, Pinkett Smith remained in the news after opening up about her life and marriage to Will Smith in her memoir Worthy.
However, it was during an interview with TODAY’s Hoda Kotb that Pinkett Smith blew the cover off her relationship with her husband. She revealed they’d been separated since 2016.
“I think just not being ready yet, still trying to figure out between the two of us how to be in partnership and in regards to how do we present that to people,” she revealed. “And we hadn’t figured that out.”
Pinkett Smith added, “Why it fractured, that’s a lot of things. I think by the time we got to 2016, we were just exhausted from trying. And I think we were both stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be.”
“I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce,” she concluded. “We will work through whatever, and I just haven’t been able to break that promise.”
Today, Pinkett Smith’s relationship with her husband remains a hot topic of discussion. However, she too has chosen to move forward in her work as a philanthropist, women’s activist, actor and producer.
Who Holds More Power in Hollywood?
While both Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith remain influential Hollywood stars, Smith still holds more traditional Hollywood power. He remains a go-to name to lead big-budget film productions.
Reaction to his first album in 20 years, Based on a True Story, is keeping him in the spotlight. Smith’s utilization of Instagram media to visually promote the album has helped it gain a wider audience.
However, Pinkett Smith’s influence is undeniable, particularly in shaping conversations on relationships and self-empowerment. She continues to act and produce, starring in the TNT series Hawthorne and the highly anticipated film Girls Trip 2.
Beyond entertainment, she is a force in beauty, wellness, women’s health, and media ventures. Pinkett Smith’s ability to shift between Hollywood, business, and personal branding solidifies her power beyond just film roles.
Ultimately, both Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith separate power in the entertainment industry, and as a couple. Moreover, their unconventional marriage has fueled ongoing debates about love, commitment, and modern relationships, reshaping the public’s perception of celebrity marriages.
