I used to like Will Smith.
As a child, I was a huge fan of Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I seriously have seen every single episode more than once. I would race home after school to watch the re-runs.
His actions flicks were my favorite summer blockbusters.
I even tolerated his PG-13 rap music while I was in high school.
But lately, I just can't stand the guy. No, wait, it goes beyond dislike. Just thinking about him gives me heartburn.
I'm just tired of him forcing his mediocre children on us.
It has significantly reduced his cool factor with me. (And that's even after the whole Scientology debacle).
While most Hollywood parents try everything they can to shield the limelight away from their children, Will Smith has been drowning his offspring in it. And at such a young age.
Remember those performances his son, Jaden, would do with Justin Bieber? Gag.
And his daughter? She recently released a photo of herself sporting a tongue ring. She's ELEVEN. When the press got wind of it yesterday, Willow tried to brush it off by saying it was fake.
In my opinion, Will's kids are not that talented. At least not enough to be famous right now. I find them annoying. There's no avoiding them either. I turn on an awards show, there they are. I click on a news website, there they are. I can't even google "karate kid" without being victimized.
And I'm irritated that Will Smith has turned into this crazy stage dad who is marketing his kids as a cool product, rather than merely appreciating them as his family. By turning Jaden and Willow into child stars, he's asking for disaster.
There is a reason so many child stars end up on drugs or go crazy.
When you're incredibly successful as a little kid and you're always told how awesome you are, your ego consumes you. As a child, everything naturally seems bigger. Imagine having that fame and fortune so young, when the world seems so magical. You believe you have a never-ending supply of millions. You think everyone in the world absolutely adores you. You can't help but feel you are so much better than everyone else. What else are you supposed to feel?
You think you are the most special person in the entire world. And you haven't even reached puberty yet.
And when reality hits, there is nowhere else to go but down.
I don't care how down-to-earth his children might claim to be. I don't care that Will is watching their every move to make sure they don't fall into bad hands. I don't care if Jaden and Willow are model children.
None of that stuff will matter when his kids one day realize the height of their careers happened before they even had time to dream.
Because that's going to suck.
33 comments:
You're right. I really liked his son during "The Pursuit of Happyness" and when he presented at the next Oscars. But then came The Karate Kid and that Oprah interview and it just didn't stop. Hope the kids turn out okay eventually because the mom seems semi-normal. But you never know.
Excellent post, Jenny, and I agree with you. Will Smith stopped being "cool" when he pushed his kids to be in the limelight constantly. You can tell they already have a bit of an attitude. I can't imagine their discussions around the dinner table, and as you mention it, wait until puberty hits. It's hard enough on "normal" children... Oy. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
LOL! I love your honesty.
When I used to watch The View (I must admit I mostly watched it to see what Elisabitch would wear...and for Fashion Fridays) they interviewed that kid of Will's. He was so cocky, it was embarrassing. I felt bad for him when he said that he hurt himself during the set of one of his movies and his dad "pushed him" to keep going and filming. He looked really hurt and you could tell at that moment that will is a hard ass. I'm not sure why I remembered this...probably because until that moment I assumed he loved being in the spotlight.
Nighty night!
Azu
I used to love him during his Fresh Prince days, but I was never really into his movies.
I agree totally! Child stars barely have happy endings, and I'm definitely not a fan of either child.
Oh, dear. Fingers crossed that those kids turn out okay. How the Fresh Prince has fallen.
xo Josie
www.winksmilestyle.com
I always liked him, but for the past year or even more I just can't stand him or his family. Sad to see someone using his kids to stay out there, and be recognize. Let's hope his kids stay normal, or somewhat normal without the drug and alcohol abuse.
Will may be a great actor, but he's not acting like a good dad.
Agreed about this post - 100%.
I too used to love will smith- Thought he was so funny, genuine but now ya.. eh. too much with those kids! they are so young.
since they are parents who are themselves famous, i think they can raise sane/normal kids who also are famous unlike say lindsay lohan's parents or the jackson's parents since they were nobodies who exploded into the spotlight. i don't know, i'm okay with them, not any more tired of them than maddox, shiloh, suri, and all of these other celeb kids.
You are completely right my dear. I personally hate watching this happen to his children too. And..is it just me, and can you just FEEL the "I'm so much better than you" attitude seeping through?
It will only be fun for a little while. And then the backlash will come, and it won't have been worth it.
You can tell that he wants them to be famous and he wants to be the "it" family in Hollywood. It really is annoying. I rewatched The Pursuit of Happyness" the other day and I love it but I was like, "Geez, Will Smith has just lost it". I don't even want to see the new MIB because of him. Very cocky. And yeah, his kids are NOTHING special. His daughter is annoying. Trying too hard, much?
I agree 100%.
In general, I hate the thought of making this type of decision for your kids before they're old enough to make it for themselves. Like you said, so often it doesn't end well, and it's not fair to put them in this position.
If I had this lifestyle pushed on me, I doubt I'd be happy. Who knows where I'd be? Probably not the normal well-adjusted adult I am now, though ;-).
I must say, I understand how you feel. His kids are everywhere these days. But I don't have a problem with it as of yet because as far as I can tell, they are not being crazy child stars. Yes, it can still definitely happen, but I'm not one to count my eggs before they hatch. I don't want to scold these children for being something they aren't as of yet. If that day comes, then you were right on the money. But I think there are bigger child actor fish to fry, and I'm not just saying this because I recently saw Men In Black 3 and liked it. ;)
I watched something recently around Mother's Day-an interview of sorts with Willow and Jada and her mom talking about motherhood etc. Jada is smart but she thinks she is wise and that she knows whats best for everyone. I was surprised to see how cocky she is and she is the biggest force behind the children. Willow is an unintelligent child who is spoiled and has no clue how to speak. That tells me she doesnt read. Her mother seemed the most down to earth and real of the bunch. The Smith family live on another plane of existence-another world. Her children get everything they want when they want it without wking for it (ie their wk should be SCHOOL). I am happy the eldest son is kept out of the limelight but thats bc of his mother. These people are idiots. I cannot stand their cockiness-such a turn off. And AWESOME post! Finally someone shouted this out!!! xox
i like will smith and karate kid.
this post made me think otherwise, yes you are right, the kids should be kids.
Amen, sister!
I miss the Fresh Prince :(
xoxox,
CC
I really missed your blog!!!!!!!!! I totally agree with what you're saying, i mean, they're just kids and suddenly they want to take over the world with their music and frizzy clothes! bahh.
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jos
I always liked Will Smith. I was one of the biggest fans ever. I love the Pursuit of Happiness and the Fresh Prince of Bel Air was the absolute best. But I hated Whip My Hair so much! So frustrating! No talent there. Totally agree about the height of their fame being too early.
I guess being a Star is no Guarantee to having the Pill of Wisdom, and even in his cool days, Willie Boy had the propensity to become a lot more egoistical than his ex-fans can handle.
I have been wary of this family for a while. I like the way you have put it.
My opinion...I don't think either of them really want to be famous right now - it seems like the parents are pushing them into the spotlight as a means to take their place (neither Will or Jada seem to be acting as much lately).
P.S. I don't think there is such a thing as a fake tongue ring. How would that even be possible?! :/
phew when I first read this title I thought you had gone off Morrissey
Totally agree.
I know what you mean- sometimes I get a bit... saturated... with stars' kids. I used to love Will Smith in the Men In black/ fresh prince/ independence day times though!
I was just thinking this today! He used to be so nice.
Jennifer, I can see the catastrophe coming! HaHaHa It's a train wreck getting ready to happen girl. I couldn't agree with you more.
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I can't really stand the persona of the children either. I loved his stuff when I was younger, but what appealed to me is that he came from no where and made his way on his own...these kids have had it handed to them, so they've learned absolutely nothing!! Yeah, they seem intelligent enough when spoken to, but they could be told and instructed on how to answer questions really. They walk around in clothes people couldn't afford in their whole lives. It'd be different if you heard they did charity work and what not, but all the papers seem to say is how they spend a load of money on ugly shoes and hair cuts. I'm sure they are nice and do good things, I rather see that really. I don't think he should push them so much, let them be kids. Maybe he does it because of how rough he had it, but then again he could remember not having much of a childhood and give that to his kids...but I guess that would be too easy. I just think they are weird now. I don't want to see Actors/Musicians or any celebrities kids all over the place. Let them work hard like their parents did and make a name for themselves, not use their parent's celebrity status to make it big. Because let's face it...would anyone have given that Willow the time of day to sing that shitty 'whip my hair' crap song if she wasn't The Fresh Prince's daughter!?! I highly think not. Or would Jaden gotten the Karate Kid role after his one role WITH his father!?! I think not, and it wasn't even Karate - it was something else, so ripping that movie off was shit to begin with!! Let them be themselves and stop shoving them in everyone's face. It's terrible to see. xx
totally agree... let kids be kids and figure out things for themselves. and i don't care for either of Will's kids personas so if it's some PR person putting that together they should be fired, asap
xoxo
I do not like the children. Well, I don't really like any children, but I especially dislike his children. Willow is just ... strange. I'm all for self-expression and crap, but she is just too weird to be doing this on her own. A tongue ring? Come on now.
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I completely agree. I feel like it's rude to say because they're young kids, but I don't think they're anything spectacular. There is so much better talent out there in the world and these kids just get everything handed to them because of their famous parents. Lame.
But I can't deny... I still love me some Fresh Prince of Bel Air! *sings "In West Philadelphia, born and raised..."*
This is so true, and I completely agree. His kids are okay, but not superstar talented.
I don't keep up with Will Smith but now that you mention it in this post, his kids are heavily involved in the children's entertainment business. I haven't heard or seen them perform, all I know is that his daughter has been featured several times as a stylish up and coming celeb.
Will Smith has created media starved monsters, and they actually have an attitude that they are gracing us with their presence.
Glad it is no just me, I have filed the Smith family in my like I give a crap file. Am sick of the rich who want more more more and having kids that think the chances they get because of their name means they have talent. I think his latest box office flop clearly says, we are sick of him and his.
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