Jada Pinkett Smith admits dating August Alsina while on a break from Will Smith four years back

American actor Jada Pinkett Smith addressed the rumours that she and singer August Alsina, had an affair while the actor was still married to actor Will Smith.

According to Fox News, the 48-year-old actor admitted that about four and a half years ago, she and Will separated intending to divorce, and while separated she had a "relationship" with Alsina.

Jada explained in the episode, which was released on Facebook Watch on Friday (local time), "I started a friendship with August and we became good friends," adding that she wanted to help the musician with his "mental state" and found resources to help pull him through a "troubling time".

The Girls Trip star said while that was happening, she and Will were going through a rough time and "broke up".

She said, "We separated for a time," so the two could figure out what makes them happy. In both their minds, "we were over," she said.

The Bad Moms actor revealed, "I got into a different kind of entanglement with August. It was a relationship. I was in a lot of pain. I was very broken. In the process of that relationship, I realized you can't find happiness outside of yourself."

She also wanted to make it clear that Alsina is "not a homewrecker" but she and Will "were going through a process of healing in a much different manner" as a couple.

Jada said as to why she starting dating Alsina, "I just wanted to feel good. It was a joy to help heal somebody." Jada cited her "co-dependency" issues as one of the reasons why she got involved with Alsina.

"I don't look at it as a transgression at all," she said. "Through that particular journey, I learned so much about myself and was able to confront a lot of emotional immaturities [and] emotional insecurity."

Then, Alsina broke off all communication with Jada and she "hadn't talked to him since."

Rumours began in June when Alsina claimed on The Breakfast Club that he had a romantic relationship with Jada.

Alsina said, "I totally gave myself to that relationship for years of my life, and I truly and deeply love and have a ton of love for her. I devoted myself to it, I gave my full self to it so much so to the point that I can die right now and be OK with knowing that I truly gave myself to somebody."

Will and Jada married in 1997 and have two kids together, a 21-year-old son Jaden and a 19-year-old daughter, Willow.