Jada Pinkett Smith knew her children would be “different” when it came to challenging gender stereotypes.
The 46-year-old actress is a mother to 19-year-old Jaden and 17-year-old Willow, whom she has with her husband Will Smith, and has claimed she always knew the two teens would buck against society’s norms because they were “born that way”.
Jada – who is stepmother to Will’s son Trey from a previous relationship – said: “Everything is changing but it is beautiful. But I must say, it’s taking some getting used to. Jaden and Willow have always been different. They were born that way. A lot of people think that it came from my rearing, but no, it just so happened that that’s how they came into the world and I had to get in order. I had to be open enough to receive it.”
In particular, Jaden has been known for causing a stir when it comes to gender stereotypes, having previously worn skirts and modeled for Louis Vuitton womenswear in 2016.
Speaking about Will’s concerns over Jaden’s decision to feature in the campaign, Jada said: “When Jaden got asked to do the women’s campaign for Louis Vuitton, this kind of gender fluid fashion, Will called me [and said] ‘My son is not supposed to be in a Louis Vuitton ad wearing skirts … Is this a good idea?’ [I said] ‘Well you know what Will? This is what he wants. It’s his expression.’ And he said okay. But it was tight. He was afraid, it was uncomfortable.”
Will, 49, was also worried when his daughter decided to shave her head at the age of nine.
During the latest episode of Jada’s Facebook Watch show ‘Red Table Talk’, Willow said: “He told me he didn’t want me to cut my hair. He was like, ‘Don’t do it. All your femininity!’ As if my femininity was in my hair.”
