How Jada Pinkett Smith Counseled Jordyn Woods During Their Interview

Jordyn Woods' explosive interview on Red Table Talk with Jada Pinkett Smith (opens in new tab) has already garnered a lot of responses. Though attitudes to Woods range from infuriated (Khloé Kardashian (opens in new tab)) to sympathetic (Lena Dunham (opens in new tab)) and confused (much of Twitter (opens in new tab)), the episode of RTT was warm and empathetic towards the (ex?) best friend of Kylie Jenner. Host Pinkett Smith asked Woods gentle but specific questions, and paused often to counsel her on the situation

Which makes sense—Pinkett Smith and her husband said during the interview that the consider Woods family, and Woods reportedly turned to them for help because the Kardashians were out for blood. (opens in new tab) And however the Kardashians decide to treat Jordyn going forward, the Smiths have made clear that they'll be there to support her.

Here, the best quotes from Pinkett Smith (with a special appearance by Will) during the interview.

"If you feel as if you don't have skeletons in your closet, if you feel holier-than-thou, this might not be the place for you, and that's okay. But I've been here several times and the best way to deal with this kind of stuff is just to come clean."

"You know what they say: Black women can be the most disregarded and disrespected creatures on the Earth...it just seems like it's just so easy to target Black women, put everything on us, even if there's other people involved."

"Uncle Will felt like it was important to hold you through this, because we all make mistakes, and that's not to justify anything that you've done, but it is to say that I really felt like you needed an opportunity to tell your story at least, and then people can decide whatever."

"We love to think we're all so honest and that it's easy to tell the truth, but specifically when I was your age, I had no idea how to tell the truth or even understand the power of telling the truth. I had to tell many lies and get the consequence...to learn."

Allowing Pain to Heal

"I just think giving everybody their process...it takes many attempts, and just allowing hurts to heal, little by little in order for people to feel safe enough, open enough to invite a repair...Sometimes it takes years, sometimes it takes weeks, sometimes it takes days, but when there's a lot of love there, there's always a path and possibility towards healing, and I know there's a lot of love between you and that family."

To The Viewers

"To the RTT family specifically, I ask for compassion, and I ask that we raise this young lady up with love and kindness, help her heal, and she is learning and growing from this particular incident. And I just ask that we support her in this journey of growth."

All Will Be Well

"I love you, I'm proud of you, all will be well. Real talk. You really grew up in the last two weeks."

We've All Been Here

"We've all been here in some form."

And From Will...

"The world attacks, it just happens. You'll never get around the world attacking, but I just want you to know that you are supported. I got you, and we got you...Take your medicine, and tell your truth. This is a part of what growing up is, this is a part of what learning is. A part of what family is. This world is not going to break you. We won’t allow it."

For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

SUBSCRIBE HERE (opens in new tab)