Willow Smith Says She & Jaden Were ‘Shunned’ By The Black Community Because They’re ‘Too Different’

Jaden Smith, Willow Smith

Willow Smith Says She & Jaden Were ‘Shunned’ By The Black Community Because They’re ‘Too Different’

Willow Smith has opened up about her experience growing up in Hollywood, saying that she felt the Black community wasn’t a fan of her and older brother Jaden Smith.

The daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith said she and Jaden Smith, 22, were considered outcasts because of their unique styles.

Willow Smith, now 19, said:

“Specifically with the African-American community, I kind of felt like me and Jaden were shunned a little bit, like, ‘We’re not gonna take pride in them because they’re too different.'”

Willow Smith, Jaden Smith circa 2013

She added that strangers weren’t the only ones who took issue with them.

“Even some of our family members, I would feel they thought, ‘You’re too different,'”

It’s no secret Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith gave Willow Smith and Jaden Smith liberties to express themselves growing up.

Willow Smith circa 2012

Will Smith admitted back in 2016 that he may have gone a bit too far. He joked during an interview back then:

“Yeah, I think it may have been a mistake…I think we might have gone too far.” 

He also spoke on the criticism his children received:

“Jaden is 100 percent fearless, he will do anything. So as a parent it’s scary, it’s really terrifying — but he is completely willing to live and die by his own artistic decisions and he just doesn’t concern himself with what people think.”

Jada Pinkett Smith said on Tuesday’s (Oct. 13th) episode of Red Table Talk that the feature caused her to get lots of criticism as his mom.

“I got shamed a lot for Willow, but Jaden was–that was hardcore…I think as Jaden got older, and he did the Louis Vuitton and he was wearing a skirt.  And then he isn’t what people consider your typical Black man, which is…what is that supposed to mean?”

What are your thoughts on Willow Smith saying she felt “shunned” in the African-American community? Comment and let us know.