Anthony feared affect of Pinkett Smith affair rumors on her kids

Marc Anthony was left horrified when he was accused of cheating on wife Jennifer Lopez with close friend Jada Pinkett Smith, because he feared the affect the false rumors would have on The Matrix Reloaded star's family.

Anthony and Lopez sent shockwaves through Hollywood in July (11) when they announced they were ending their seven-year marriage.

Rumors soon emerged suggesting the Latin superstar had had an extramarital affair with Pinkett Smith, his co-star and love interest on TV medical drama Hawthorne, and last month (Aug11) it was claimed that her 14-year union with Will Smith was also heading for divorce.

The Smiths denied the tabloid report and issued a rare statement regarding the status of their relationship, saying, "Although we are reluctant to respond to these types of press reports, the rumors circulating about our relationship are completely false. We are still together, and our marriage is intact."

Anthony has now broken his silence about the reports, admitting the most hurtful aspect of the unfounded gossip was the impact it would have on his longtime pal's children, son Jaden, 13, and daughter Willow, 10.

In a candid TV interview with news show Nightline, which aired on Thursday (01Sep11), he says, "When something like that (affair rumors) happens, it's laughable. We were laughing about it because we've been friends for years. Jada, Jennifer, me, him, for years.

"What bothers me is the affect it has on family... to Will and Jada and their children and their relatives and their loved ones."