In the latest soul-baring episode of Jada Pinkett Smith‘s popular Facebook series, Red Table Talk, she ended a feud with fellow actor Leah Remini. The women had a dramatic falling out in the past over Remini’s comments about Pinkett Smith’s alleged involvement in Scientology.
The reconciliation occurred, explained Pinkett Smith just ahead of the sit-down, because Remini took the first step toward repairing their rift. “She reached out to me, which was really huge of her ‘cause I really don’t… I don’t know if I’m that big,”
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When Remini arrived to the titular red table, though, she and Pinkett Smith affectionately hugged and complimented each other before diving into their troubled history.
Leah and I came to the table to lay it all down. The healing was real. Thank you @LeahRemini ❤️
Join us ✨💫https://t.co/CMGt4FsbeSpic.twitter.com/226WZPRdUl
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) November 5, 2018
So, what brought the stars — who met two decades ago — to this point of nearly no return? In her 2015 memoir, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, Remini referenced Pinkett Smith when describing a Scientology event.
According to Remini, at the event in question, noted Scientologist Tom Cruise allegedly suggested the guests play hide-and-seek. Remini, who found the idea of adults playing hide-and-seek to be strange, tried to decline. In telling this anecdote, she claimed Pinkett Smith was one of the other celebrity guests in attendance, implying she was regularly involved with the Church of Scientology.
Pinkett Smith downplayed the incident during a later appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, insisting hide-and-seek was more intended for the small children (including her own) at the event.
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Pinkett Smith also went on to explain in a series of tweets that she wasn’t a Scientologist but had studied the religion.
I have studied Dianetics, and appreciate the merits of Study Tech… but I am not a Scientologist.
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) September 19, 2017
I practice human kindness, and I believe that we each have the right to determine what we are and what we are not.
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) September 19, 2017
“It upset me because I didn’t understand why we had to be in your book because we really didn’t have anything to do with this,” Pinkett Smith told Remini, adding that she was hurt by the betrayal.
In that vein, Pinkett Smith addressed her comments on Watch What Happens Live.
“[Cohen] doesn’t tell you what he’s going to talk about. He just throws stuff at you, and so when that came up, I was like, ‘That’s not how I remember that night going,’” Pinkett Smith explained, addressing Remini, “You had basically created a situation for Will [Smith, her husband] and I… At that point, I’m like, ‘I got to protect Will and I.’”
In response, Remini admitted she hadn’t given much thought to the potential repercussions for Pinkett Smith and her husband, saying, “Looking back on it, I didn’t even consider Jada and Will… I was so caught up in that pain and also the pain of others and the effects that it had.”
But Remini also revealed she had been upset by Pinkett Smith’s appearance on the show. “When I saw it, I was hurt, because I was like, ‘Oh, she’s in [the church],’” she said.
As for whether she is or is not a Scientologist, Pinkett Smith pretty much laid that mystery to rest too.
“My grandmother was like, ‘You’re gonna learn all the religions, and then you got to decide which one you want to practice,’ Smith recounted to Remini. “So, for me, all religions have been my home, which is why I didn’t have a problem going to the Church of Scientology and saying, ‘I’m not a Scientologist. I want to just be here and see what you have to offer,’ because that was my life, that’s what I’m used to.”
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Pinkett Smith then reiterated she has no interest in being a member of the controversial church.
And like previous healing episodes of Red Table Talk (think Gabrielle Union!), the episode ended on a reconciliatory note. “I really truly deeply apologize,” Remini told Pinkett Smith. I should have thought about the names in the book. I should’ve thought about what that meant for you guys, and I didn’t.”
Thank you all for your amazing messages & support for this moment. It fills my heart with joy to see you guys receiving this in the spirit it was done. I’m not perfect, I never will be, but hopefully we are all looking for a better way to coexist on the planet. #RedTableTalkpic.twitter.com/X3ppVbXnzG
— Leah Remini (@LeahRemini) November 5, 2018
To which Pinkett Smith responded, “It’s OK. I love you anyway” — and Remini echoed the sentiment. Now, if we could just get Pinkett Smith to work her Red Table Talk magic on the rest of the world’s turmoil….
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