In case you haven’t heard, rumors have been circulating that another Hollywood couple is on the rocks.   Earlier today, a tabloid claimed power couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith were separating after 13 years of marriage based on  exclusive  “insider” information.   While some outlets ran with the “story,” others maintained the rumor was untrue.

Earlier today, Smith’s son Trey, responded to the rumors on Twitter:

“Will and Jada getting a DIVORCE..NOT TRUE AT ALL!” “Everyone can think what they want…even if its not true.”

And later this afternoon, the couple issued a joint statement addressing the rumors:

“Although we are reluctant to respond to these types of press reports, the rumors circulating about our relationship are completely false. We are still together, and our marriage is intact.”

While being the first to run with a breaking story is important, whatever happened to responsible journalism, confirming unnamed sources and the legitimacy of a story prior to publication?

Will Smith

Willard “Will” Smith Jr. was born in 1968 in Philadelphia.   Smith went on to star in the popular television series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,”a situation comedy based on his life.   He met Pinkett while she was auditioning for the series.  Although she did not get the part, she got the man!  The two eventually married on New Year’s Eve in 1997 and have been “happily” married ever since.

A jack of all trades, the 42-year old actor/musician won a Grammy Award and even nabbed a Guinness World Record for most public appearances made in a 12-hour period!  Smith has had many blockbuster films over his career including Men in Black, Hitch, Hancock, Bad Boys, Six Degrees of Separation, Ali, Enemy of the State, Independence Day and The Pursuit of Happyness.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Pinkett Smith was born in Maryland in 1971. She studied dance and choreography in college and held the title of Miss Maryland in 1988.  She has acted in films and directed music videos in her career.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

A millionaire before he hit 20, Smith is one of Hollywood’s highest paid actors. The couple shares two famous children, Jaden and Willow. This year, Jaden became the highest paid child actor in Hollywood. Smith has another son, Trey, from a previous marriage.  From the outside looking in, it appears this Hollywood couple has it all – fame, fortune, success, uber-talented children, beautiful homes and a happy family life.

On the heels of reality star Kim Kardashian’s lavish wedding last weekend, America’s fascination with Hollywood celebrity continues.  While gossip and rumors about the rich and famous may “go with the territory,” false and misleading stories must be difficult to deal with.  Does our interest with celebrities provide a bit of respite from our everyday lives or do we hold celebrities to higher standards, putting undue pressure on them?   After all, celebrities are human beings too.

Image courtesy of Alan Light