Fans were left speechless when Jada Pinkett Smith called Will Smith by his real name in a birthday post on social media.
Jada and Will, who tied the knot in 1997, have frequently found themselves in the headlines in recent years.
In a shocking episode of Red Table Talk in 2020, the Girls Trip star admitted to having an affair with an unexpected celebrity.
She said at the time: “It all started with him just needing some help, me wanting to help his health, his mental state.
“The outpouring for him from our family was initially about his health.
“We found all those different resources to help pull him through and from there you and I were going through a very difficult time.”
Just two years later, Will faced a wave of backlash following the 2022 Oscars.
When Chris Rock made a joke about a possible G.I. Jane sequel in reference to Jada’s bald head, Will walked on stage and slapped the fellow actor.
After returning to his table, Will yelled: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth,” leading to a moment of uncomfortable silence.
Over a year later, Jada confirmed that she and the King Richard star have lived ‘completely separate lives’ since 2016 and function like a divorced couple would.
“I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce. We will work through… whatever. I just haven’t been able to break that promise,” she said.
Yet still, the former couple continues to show affection for one another.
When Will celebrated his 55th birthday on September 25, 2023, Jada took to Instagram and wished him a happy birthday.
Taking his fans by surprise, she called him by his real name.
Responding to the post, one fan wrote: “I was today years old when I learned that Will Smith’s name isn’t short for William.”
Another added: “Bruh, never knew Will Smith’s real name.”
“Why did I think Will Smith’s full name is William?” questioned a third person.
Jada uploaded a family photo of herself, Will, and their two children Jaden and Willow, alongside Will’s son Trey from a previous relationship, for the viral birthday post.
The caption read: “I am so glad you were born on this day. Without you I would not have experienced the greatest joy of my life… the love of our family.
“On this Divine assignment we’ve chosen to walk together, I am grateful for the wells of laughter along the trails of tears we’ve shared.
“Thank you for helping me learn to embrace it all… with a smile. Here’s to 100+ more birthdays full of growth, acceptance and joy.”
At the beginning of the caption, Jada refers to Will by his real name, Willard.
The A-lister’s full name is Willard Carroll Smith Jr. and he is named after his father.