Jodie Turner-Smith, best known for her role as Mother Aniseya in the failed and canceled Star Wars series The Acolyte, is making waves in her ongoing divorce from Dawson’s Creek star (and more importantly The Mighty Ducks star) Joshua Jackson after alleging he hasn’t paid her child support since their official split in October.
According to court documents and insider leaks, Turner-Smith is demanding $28,641 per month in alimony, $8,543 per month in child support, as well as a staggering $250,000 in legal fees. Her reasoning? The challenges of “being a Black woman.”
The Financial Demands
Turner-Smith, 37, claims the alimony and legal fees are necessary due to her struggles as a Black woman and single mother in Hollywood, despite her starring roles in high-profile projects.
Mother Aniseya (Jodie Turner-Smith) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, season one, exclusively on Disney+. ©.
“Josh promised to always support me and ensured that I would not have to worry about financial security for our daughter if we ever separated because he understood how difficult life can be as a Black woman and a single mother,” Turner-Smith said.
Insiders close to Jackson, however, have labeled the demands “unreasonable.”
It’s a particularly shocking amount given the couple’s relatively short marriage of four years. Many feel as though her financial demands are exorbitant given her own earnings and professional background.
Jackson Thriving Post-Divorce
Since their split, Jackson has reportedly found a new lease on life. Friends of the actor revealed to Life & Style that he’s been exuding newfound confidence and appears to be thriving after the separation. This revelation underscores the challenges that may have existed behind closed doors during their relationship.
Jodie Turner Smith and Joshua Jackson pose together at an event – YouTube, E! News
Jackson’s upbeat attitude post-divorce suggests that his time with Turner-Smith may not have been as idyllic as it once appeared.
Turner-Smith’s History of Controversy
This isn’t the first time Turner-Smith has courted controversy. Earlier this year, the actress lashed out at both Disney and Star Wars fans following the cancellation of The Acolyte. Turner-Smith blamed Disney for not standing up to supposed racism and misogyny among fans. This follows a trend of cast and crew members of the failed show blaming anything for the show’s failure other than the widely reported financial mismanagement and poor audience reception.
In an interview, Turner-Smith accused Disney of failing to protect actors of color and implied that Star Wars fans were unwilling to accept diversity on screen. Her comments drew backlash from those who argued that the show’s exorbitant budget and lack of engaging storytelling were the real reasons behind its demise.
(L-R): Mother Aniseya (Jodie Turner-Smith) and Little Osha (Lauren Brady) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, season one, exclusively on Disney+. ©.
“[Disney’s] got to stop doing this thing where they don’t say anything when people are getting f***ing dog-piled on the internet with racism and bulls**t,” the actress said.
Turner-Smith continued, “It would just be nice if the people that have all the money were showing their support and putting their feet down. Say this is unacceptable: ‘You’re not a fan if you do this.’ Make a really big statement and just see if any money leaves.”
“I bet you it won’t, because people of color, and especially Black people, make up a very large percentage of buying power,” she asserted. “They might find that it’s actually more lucrative for them, but everyone’s using ‘woke’ like it’s a dirty word.”
A Pattern of Behavior?
Turner-Smith’s latest financial demands in her divorce align with her history of framing personal and professional struggles around race and gender. Critics argue that leveraging her struggles “as a black woman” as justification for hefty alimony and legal fees feels opportunistic. While Jackson needs to do right by his daughter and pay child support, Turner-Smith’s alimony and legal fee demands seem wildly outrageous for a working Hollywood actress.
(L-R): Little Osha (Lauren Brady), Mother Aniseya (Jodie Turner-Smith) and Little Mae (Leah Brady) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, season one, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
For Jackson, this divorce marks a turning point—a chance to distance himself from what appears to have been a high-drama marriage. With the actor thriving and Turner-Smith doubling down on her demands, one thing is certain: their divorce is bound to remain a hot topic in Hollywood for months to come.
How do you feel about Jodie Turner-Smith of The Acolyte believing she’s owed a literal fortune for “being a Black woman?” Sound off and let us know.
