The Real Reason Jada Pinkett Smith Doesn't Loan Money To Loved Ones
Ever since launching her web television talk show on Facebook Watch in 2018, Jada Pinkett Smith has held nothing back. From discussing her relationship with August Alsina to inviting Olivia Jade on to clarify her role in the college admissions scandal, Pinkett Smith, along with her mother Adrienne Banfield-Jones and her daughter Willow Smith, isn't afraid of dishing the truth about topics like sex, divorce, and money.
Considering how much she and her husband are worth, you may think Pinkett Smith would be gracious with her money and how she chooses to spend it. However, it turns out that she's actually quite specific when it comes to lending money to friends and family. Pinkett Smith clarified her stance and gave viewers tips on how to deal with financial requests from family and friends on Dec. 29's episode of Red Table Talk and her reasoning may surprise you. Keep reading after the jump to see what she had to say.
Jada Pinkett Smith thinks lending money is problematic
The conversation started when a viewer from Queens named Samantha asked the panel (via Instagram) how they say "no" to giving loved ones money after working hard to earn it on her own.
"First of all, I don't lend money," Jada Pinkett Smith said. "I only give money that I'm willing to give, like, 'this is a gift.' I do not lend money because that turns into a lot of problems, just as far as the expectation of people paying you back or what have you."
The only exception that Pinkett Smith will make towards loved ones asking her for money is when she has determined they are ready for it. "When somebody really needs help, I really evaluate it to see if the person is ready for that help. You feel me?" Pinkett Smith said (via People). "So it's like 'I want a new house,' but they don't have a job to support the house they're trying to buy... It's like, well, you're not ready for that."
Pinkett Smith addressed Samantha by saying she also didn't grow up with a lot and therefore should not feel guilty about her successes. She also said that lending money could lead to fallouts. "People will make you feel like, 'You owe me. I was standing next to you. I grew up in the house with you. I did this and that with you I knew you when,' Pinkett Smith concluded. "And at the end of the day, you don't owe nobody nothing."