Jada Pinkett Smith graces the cover of the September 2012 issue of Essence magazine.

The 40-year-old actress shows off her petite frame on the front cover while dishing about everything from the constantly emerging divorce rumors with husband Will Smith, thoughts on people talking about eleven-year-old Willow Smith‘s style decisions and her work to help put a stop to Kony 2012 and human trafficking in the United States.

A few excerpts: 

On the public’s reaction to Willow Smith’s career choices: 
How people feel about Willow is how people feel about Willow. But what I’m most concerned about is how Willow feels about herself. She’s an independent, courageous, genius, talented little girl. I’m happy for her, that she can just be who she is.”

On getting involved in fighting human sex trafficking in the United States:
“When something speaks to you as brightly and as strongly as this particular issue speaks to me, you just put every resource that you have to move things forward. That’s what we do, we move fast. It’s the entertainment business. You have to move like a rocket. We’re talking about people’s lives…”

On rumors of an impending divorce from husband Will Smith:
“It seems like that happens at least once a year, or at least once every two years – it’s rumored that we’re getting a divorce. But no, we’re not getting a divorce. Where am I going to go? That’s my boo. It’s like he’s another part of me.”

On talking with Angelina Jolie about fighting human sex trafficking:
“I called Angelina Jolie and said, ‘Ange, I need you, girl. Did you know we have slaves in this country?’ She said, ‘Jada, I’ve been working on this for years – are you kidding me?’ So I sat on the phone with Angelina and of course it was like going to college. She schooled me.”

The Hollywood couple has two children, musicians/actors Willow and Jaden, while Smith is also father to a son, Trey, from a previous relationship with Sheree of VH1’s “Hollywood Exes.”

ESSENCE