Jodie Turner-Smith Rejects Pressure to Retire After Giving Birth

Jodie Turner Smith is not here because of the pressures placed on mothers.

Turner-Smith, 37, shared a video on Instagram Stories on Tuesday, April 23, saying, “Whoever assumed women were ‘fully healed and recovered’ six weeks after giving birth… was lying. “

Alongside the social media post, Turner-Smith added her own comment, writing: “I understand the pressure to retire, but the reality is: that it is *completely* impossible. Your body has to go through its own journey and being a portal for a new soul is a huge physical, emotional and spiritual task!!!”

She continued: “Be kind to yourself, mamas. And don’t let anyone tell you that you should be back to “normal” two seconds after giving birth.”

Turner-Smith welcomed her daughter in April 2020 with her then-husband Joshua Jackson. Jackson, 45, and Turner-Smith first sparked romance rumors in 2018. Us weekly broke the news in December 2019 that they had quietly tied the knot.

In October 2023, Turner-Smith filed for divorce after four years of marriage. In her petition, Turner-Smith cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the separation and listed the couple’s separation date as September 13, 2023.

A source told Us at the time Jackson was “surprised” by Turner-Smith’s file.

“They had their problems, like many couples do – especially two busy actors who are also juggling a child,” the insider said of Turner-Smith’s “decision” to end the relationship. “Joshua obviously didn’t know it was that bad, that Jodie was so unhappy.”

However, according to a second source, Turner-Smith’s choice didn’t come out of nowhere. “She refused to settle for something that didn’t feel right,” the insider noted. “[It] didn’t work for her, so she ripped the Band-Aid off.”

Turner-Smith broke her silence on the split earlier this year. “Sometimes things we really want to work on just don’t work out in the end,” she told Britain’s The Times newspaper in February. “And that’s okay. The most important thing is that you choose what is healthiest for you and your family and certainly for your children.”

At the time, Turner-Smith explained why she didn’t view her marriage as a “failure,” adding, “There are so many different moments in our lives where we look at ourselves and say, ‘Who am I and am I? ‘” Is that true?’ If the answer is no, you need to do something because I believe that staying in places that are not good for us leaves visible scars. And they impact not just us, but everyone around us.”

Jackson has not yet publicly addressed the split. He was linked to Lupita Nyong’o since late last year when they were spotted spending time together after breaking up with her boyfriend Selema Masekela.

“Joshua and Lupita have only been together for a very short time now. They are focused on keeping their relationship under the radar as much as possible,” a source said Us in December 2023. “Things are very new, but so far things are going very well.”

Turner-Smith, meanwhile, hasn’t gone public with any new romances. On her first Valentine’s Day after the split, Turner-Smith celebrated with her mother and daughter.

“Best Valentine’s Day yet!!! Thank you, you know who you are!!! About last night,” she wrote via Instagram. “To the women in my life who love me deeply, I am so grateful for you!!!!!!”