There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Jada Pinkett Smith and her husband, Will Smith, are Hollywood royalty. The celebrity power couple has been happily married for 24 years and are an example that a celebrity couple can have a celebrity life but still have a great family.

Hollywood can be a brutal place for marriages, especially for celebrities, but the Smiths have proven that they have it all grounded and tied down to the tee. But then again, who knows. After the 2022 Oscars scandal – when Will slapped Chris Rock right there on stage – the family found themselves in the limelight, again. But not under the most flattering of lights.

Here’s everything about the Smiths…

The Family Have Unique Problems

The status and the wealth which has seen the family accumulate hundreds of millions of dollars does not remove the Smiths from the trials and tribulations that every other married couple face when raising a family.

But some of these challenges do include issues that are unique to celebrity couples. Jada Smith has admitted that her son, Jaden, has made a profound request to her in a very teary-eyed state. Here is how everything went down.

An Uncomfortable Question from Jaden

The interview took place on an episode of her online chat show, Red Table Talk. Jada had just revealed that her fifteen-year-old son, Jaden, approached her with a question and a request that “devastated” her.

Jada and Will Smith are very loving and passionate about their family and career, but sometimes things get in the way. When you are in the public eye, sometimes these problems can be magnified.

The Parents Always Put Family First

Despite all the hardships, Jada views herself as a loving and understanding mother. She knows that she must sympathize and try to understand her son’s perspective, whatever the circumstances. She always puts family first.

This time, what Jaden asked her wasn’t at all what she ever wanted; she knew that the right thing to do would be to let him make his own decisions. She wants to give her children as much freedom as possible.

The Unconventional but Loving Family

Will and Jada Smith have been married since 1997. But back in 1992, Will was married to Sheree Zampino and had a son named Trey. Their marriage only lasted three years, and when they divorced, they shared mutual custody over their son.

Will and Jada were blessed with two beautiful children. Their son Jaden was born in 1998, and their daughter Willow was born in 2000. As parents, Will and Jada have a controversial parenting style. But share plenty of love.

They Wanted a Different Life for Their Kids

It’s unique and sets them apart compared to most ordinary parents, but it does sometimes come under scrutiny. It can be regarded that the way they raised their children is stemmed from their own life experiences.

Both Will and Jada had endured a lot when they were growing up, especially hardships. So both agreed that as parents, they’d be more relaxed, chilled, and not apply forceful discipline. In a 2013 interview with Metro, Will said that in their household, “We don’t do punishment.”

Jada Was Rejected as His On-Screen Girlfriend

To further understand both Will and Jada Smith, let’s go back to when they were just starting. They met by accident in 1994 when Jada auditioned for the part of Lisa Wilkins, Will Smith’s girlfriend, in his popular sitcom of the 1990s, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

The show’s producers decided on another actress for the role instead. However, the audition prompted her to know Will a little bit better. They soon became friends but only started to seriously date a year later.

Their Flame of Love Only Grew

Both realized that there was strong chemistry between them, and two years down the line, they finally got married. Perhaps it shows she would have been a better choice for the show!

One of the most intriguing things about Jada and Will’s family backgrounds was that they were both raised with traditional, family-oriented values. Also, it made them realize that if they ever end up getting married, it would be something that will last forever.

Their Family Quickly Bloomed

It did not take the couple a long time to start their family because Jaden was born less than a year after the two married. Their daughter, Willow, was born just a little over a year after that.

Given the circumstances of having the responsibility to take care of two children, Jada set her priorities straight. She is unequivocal about her family being in the first place in all her endeavors at that moment in time and the future.

Jada Always Puts Family Before Fame

In a 2018 interview with USA Today, Jada said, “I will throw my career away before I let it break up [my] marriage.” It showed her commitment to always doing the best for her children.

Her message truly resonated with many of her fans and people who observe the entertainment industry in general. Seeing Hollywood couples and families getting thrown away has become an all too familiar story that Jada’s statement and resolve was nothing short of amazing.

A Father’s Strong Message

Somehow bluntly, Will has given a message to his children that they need to learn to deal with their own lives on their terms. He and Jada had always wanted to promote and encourage their independence.

Commonly, children that come from very wealthy and privileged families tend to lack character. The two of them wanted to avoid any such problems and not make life too easy for them.

Jaden Backs Up Dad’s Oscar Slap

At the 94th Academy Awards, Will made everyone’s jaws drop when he walked up on stage and slapped Chris Rock after the presenter made a quip about Jada being GI Jane (she’s bald from her condition, alopecia). Anyways, it was a shocking moment, and apparently, one that Jaden was proud of.

Following the awards show, Jaden showed support for his dad on Twitter. “And That’s How We Do It,” he posted after the broadcast ended. He also posted another Tweet with a photo of himself wearing sunglasses in the backseat of a car: “My Dad’s Speech Made Me Cry.”

The Children Are Given Responsibility

Coming from the man who played US Marine F18 fighter pilot Captain Steven Hiller, who saved the world in Independence Day, Will claimed that “The way we deal with our kids is [that] they are responsible for their lives.”

So, the concept being applied is that the Smiths give their children as much control over their own lives as possible as young as possible, while punishment is perceived as something that gives too much negativity to children.

They Have a “Circle of Safety”

Not only do the Smiths encourage their children to be responsible for their lives at a young age, but they also strongly encourage authentic communication and transparency in their family, which they refer to as the “circle of safety.”

In the circle of safety, each family member gets to talk as openly and honestly as possible without fear of punishment or judgment. Will and Jada have always felt that a family’s ability to talk openly with each other in an environment has become increasingly lacking in many households and relationships today.

How the “Circle of Safety” Works

There is one catch about the circle of safety, though, and Will Smith was brutally honest about that as well when Jimmy Fallon interviewed him on the Tonight Show.

“[In the circle of safety, the kids are] allowed to tell us everything that they did, and they can’t get in trouble… The rule is, if we find out after the circle of safety that there was something you didn’t say, there was hell to pay.”

It Encourages Honesty without Punishment

This means that there are zero repercussions when something is discussed with full honesty in the circle of safety. It’s a unique approach but one that has worked for the family.

But when somewhere, sometimes and somehow, it is found that full disclosure of the truth was being withheld from the circle, there will be consequences in the form of punishment. It helps to encourage openness and honesty.

Sharing Isn’t Always For the Best

The concept of a ‘circle of safety’ involving honest communication is commendable. Still, the psychology of human development, from childhood to adolescence, and adulthood, means that there is always something better off not discussing openly between children and their parents. It would either freak the parents out or vice versa.

Even Will Smith himself has admitted that having his then fifteen-year-old daughter share her deepest thoughts and emotions was a bit too much to handle. Admitting that some things are better left as personal or maybe partially shared, either to just one half of the parent or some other time in the future, would have probably been for the best.

Defining Father and Daughter Boundaries

Will made this admission also on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon by explaining that, “As a father, you do not want a circle of safety with a 15-year-old daughter. You do not… I’m like, ‘Baby; you need to start lying!’” That is understandable, as there are just some things that would be more suited for one of the parents to discuss with the child openly.

The circle of safety would need to be more fine-tuning for specific cases or topics that only one parent is ready and better equipped to listen to. In the interview, he continued jokingly, “[I’m like,] ‘Nope! You and your mom can talk about that one!’”

The Children Have Become Trendsetters

The persistence to develop authentic communication with their children and their extremely relaxed method of raising Jaden and Willow come with some unintended consequences.

More than anything, both Jaden and Willow have the freedom to express themselves in terms of personal styles and sense of fashion. It has led the two to become fashion icons as they carve their careers out quickly.

The Media Haven’t Been Kind

That’s pretty obvious, seeing that the two have been well known for their extraordinary choice of hairstyles and clothing. At times, even the media has ghastly professed that Jaden and Willow’s image should be addressed.

But despite the pressure from the media, Will and Jada consciously support their children’s fashion choices, including the strange ones. It’s the type of unconditional love we’ve come to expect from the family.

Not So Traditional Dress Sense

Will Smith himself can be regarded as a non-traditional father. In a society where freedom of expression is part and parcel of its cultural development, it’s surprising and intimidating that the media and the public would negatively react to his children’s choice of attire.

In the case of Jaden’s fashion choices, he has been extremely expressive in his choices, wearing anything and everything from unconventional mixes of male clothing to skirts and even dresses.

They Always Have Family Support

Even with heavy criticism from external parties, Will continues to support Jaden’s fashion choices. The parents are committed to supporting whatever decisions their children make, including what they may choose to wear.

In an interview with the BBC’s Radio 1Xtra, he has admitted that he is proud of his son’s fashion and life choices and regards him as 100% fearless.

Like Father, Not Really Like Son

It is probably because of Will Smith’s manly off-screen persona and his macho man on-screen persona that people would presume his son would be more like him in that sense.

Will has made it clear by adding in the interview that “[Jaden] will do anything. As a parent, it’s scary; it’s terrifying. But he is completely willing to live and die by his artistic decisions, and he doesn’t concern himself with what people think.”

It Requires Impressive Parenting Skills

For Jaden to be able to express himself in that manner is impressive indeed. Having that lack of fear about judgment or criticism is commendable, especially for someone so young.

But For Will and Jada to be able to bravely and confidently free themselves from the normal apprehension that parents would have regarding their children’s rather extreme preferences just as impressive, and they have a strong reason for thinking and feeling the way they do.

An Absolute Fearless Family

The reason for Will and Jada’s parenting style is primarily because they wanted their children to cultivate and nurture their artistic voice through the freedom of expressing themselves.

Speaking as someone who ultimately has enough experience on the matter, Will explained, “There’s a really powerful internal quality as an artist that we encourage. You have to get out on edge, [and] you have to try things. You have to be comfortable doing things that people don’t agree with, and you have to be comfortable doing things that could fail.”

There Has Been Heavy Criticism

But the critics are never far away from taking advantage of any kind of situation, and one such situation occurred in 2012. Willow decided to cut her hair short and dye it pink, which caused a huge backlash from parents, the media, and the general public.

It was apparent that the media would sensationalize everything that seemed extraordinary in the lives of celebrity families, even if it was a young girl trying something a little different.

Sensationalized News Stories Followed

Nothing could be more sensational than the story of Will and Jada Smith’s daughter going fashion rogue. From fashion, the news could be milked dry with gossip over domestic problems, internal family feuds, alcohol, or substance abuse, even though none of them were true.

The first people to take note of this sensational news and gossip are parents, and by default, they are the ones who lash out heavy criticism on how Will and Jada raise their kids. Even with heavy criticism, the Smiths were fully capable of proving their critics wrong.

Dealing With Social Media Trolls

With criticism flowing, Jada Smith decided that enough was enough and capitalized on her celebrity status and strong social media presence to defend her daughter and family. She gatecrashed the gossip column party and brought everyone to school.

In her statement on Facebook, Jada wrote, “The question isn’t why I would ‘LET’ Willow cut her hair. First, ‘LET’ must be challenged.” She reiterates that society is not just judging her daughter but has always judged and perceived women in a certain way, including herself.

Standing Up for Her Daughter

In a strong opinion that she will always protect and stand up for her daughter, Jada continued to say, “This is a world where women [and] girls are constantly reminded that they don’t belong to themselves – that their bodies are not their own nor their power or self-determination.

I made a promise to endow my little girl with the power always to know that her body, spirit, and her mind are HER domain. Willow cut her hair because of her beauty, her value [and] her worth is not measured by the length of her hair.”

A Parenting Team Effort

Will also shares Jada’s opinion. He believes that part of a woman’s control over her body comes with the freedom and ability to change her appearance how she wants, simply because it fully belongs to her.

Will once said in an interview with Parade magazine in 2013 that, “When you have a little girl, it’s like, how can you teach her that you’re in control of her body? She can’t cut my hair, but that’s her hair … She has got to have command of her body.” This echoes Jada’s statement about giving her daughter freedom over her domain, which is her own body, spirit, and mind.

The Family Have Been Very Open

It is never really an easy thing for any parent, including the Smiths, to fully support and encourage their children, especially when those are times of transition between childhood to adolescence and adulthood.

Jada talked openly about the challenge of supporting their children on her Red Table Talk Facebook show and how it almost broke her. The show has been known as a place for Jada and her guests, mostly family members, to open up about some very personal topics publicly.

Parents’ Choices vs. Kids’ Choices

On her Red Table Talk in 2018, Jada decided that she was willing to put it all out there and invited both Jaden and Willow to participate in the show. She aimed to talk openly and transparently about their experiences as a family, especially regarding her children’s choices over the years.

One aspect of the talk was to be able to contrast and compare those choices made by Jaden and Willow with how Jada and Will felt about those choices. What ensued was something that almost broke Jada’s heart as some deep underlying thoughts and feelings began to emerge.

The Precious First-born

In a very straightforward introduction of her son Jaden to the Red Table Talk episode, Jada proudly said, “Jaden’s my baby boy – my firstborn. He’s one of the most loving, gentle creatures that I know.” There was nothing wrong with is of course, as it simply indicated just how much Jada adores and loves her son.

Without any doubt, Jada is very proud of Jaden, even though in the background of this loving paternal relationship lies a dark truth. Jada revealed later that some of his actions have caused her to experience one of the most heartbreaking experiences in her life.

Fighting For Their Independence

The incident mentioned involved Jaden’s decision to leave home and become independent. The day he told Jada about it was something that she recalls vividly in her mind, and she recounted the event to Jaden by saying.

“You got to a point where you told me straight up. You were like, ‘Mom, I have to leave here to live my life.’” Jaden agreed to his mother’s account of the incident and simply replied in a serious manner, “Totally.”

A Tough but Loving Decision

True to her parenting style and true to her word, Jada knew very well that Jaden had made his intentions known even though it was so heartbreaking for her.

Above all things, she knew she needed to respect that decision. It would have been hypocritical for them to support their independence through their life only to take it away at the last minute.

Jaden Was Still Very Young

Jada and Will have spent every moment of their children’s moments growing up to nurture the exact mindset that Jaden was portraying at that moment, which was the ability to think independently and act responsibly on their decisions.

Jada revealed that during the Red Table Talk, “I remember thinking to myself, as devastated as I was, I was like, ‘He’s right. The time is now; he’s 15. It’s time for him to leave the house.’”

The Backlash Soon Followed

Like many ordinary parents, Jada’s mother, Adrienne Banfield-Jones, made it a point by admitting and saying. “I would have never agreed to that.”

She was also on the show, and as much as she knows how Will and Jada have been known for their unconventional parenting methods, Adrienne was adamant that she disagrees with such a decision from a fifteen-year-old.

Jada Quickly Replied To It

Jada was quick to respond to her own mother’s backlash on the matter by saying that regardless of their current age, both she and Will have always been sure that in the not-too-distant future, their children would be making such a demand and a decision for independence.

They have their unique parenting style and didn’t want to contradict that. Even though he was still young, the family had the support system to allow it to happen.

Mom Always Knows Best

In explaining to her mother during the Red Table Talk, Jada brought up a conversation she had with Will about the matter, even when, at the time, Jaden was still a child. Jada explained, “I knew. I told Will – when Jaden was smaller – I said, ‘We’ll be lucky to keep him in the house until he’s 16.’”

“Because he was so mature. He was making a film … he could manage his own life.” So not only is Jaden a fashion rebel like his mother Jada, but he is also just as independent. Those words struck a chord with Adrienne as well.

An Unexpected Musical Decision

As a mother, Adrienne knew for herself that Jada was just as independent as Jaden. She would often ride against the waves and was fully committed to doing what she wanted to do regardless of what society or other people think or wanted her to do.

One example was Jada’s decision to venture into music by choosing to be part of a nu-metal band instead of taking the safer route of pop music.

Like Mother Like Son

She did it anyway, even when she was criticized by both metal and non-metal fans. The situation with Jaden was exactly similar, so there is no reason to wonder that he replicates her mother’s tenacity and desire for independence.

The two of them are very similar in many aspects. Aside from that similar genetic trait, Jada also realizes another reason for Jaden’s desire to become more independent.

Anticipating Pressure and Wanting Freedom

As celebrities, Jada and Wil just do not have the same life or lifestyles as ordinary parents face. A few aspects that are significantly different is the fact that everything they do is being scrutinized. The combined star power of both Jada and Will can become an intense pressure for Jaden and Willow.

Jada admitted it as much by saying, “Being in this lifestyle – in this world – is a bubble. He wanted out, and I understood that because I didn’t have the bubble. And I knew how much he would gain from having his freedom outside of that bubble”.

He Wanted To Be Free

There is sometimes an unjustified expectation from fans or the public about what children or celebrities should be or how they should behave. It must be hard trying to parent when everyone is having their say.

Jaden realized that and just simply wanted to live a life that can choose to create for himself, not by some other person’s expectation of him.

Deciding to Let Go

Sometimes, to love means to let go. That was exactly how Jada approached her son’s request to become independent. She ultimately wants him to be as happy as possible.

Just because they finally spread their wings and fly the path they have chosen for themselves doesn’t mean that they do not love their parents anymore and the parents don’t love them back. It’s the opposite; letting them go is the very reason that you allow them to be free.

She Knew He’d Come Back

So even though she does have some reservations, Jada understood that it made more sense to allow Jaden to be free and that it would be a greater proof of their strong relationship.

However, the rather odd logic to her reason for letting Jaden go was something a little bit selfish, as she later explained by saying, “I knew that the sooner I let him go, the faster he was going to come back.” In the end, she was right after all.

The Ellen Interview and the Rumors

In 2013, tabloids and gossip columns began to run the news that Jaden had filed for emancipation from his parents, citing ‘bad blood.’ People were wondering if cracks had appeared in the family’s life.

Not long after the news flew around, Jaden appeared in The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where he fully denied those rumors, which included the news about him leaving home.

He Showed His Wit and Humor

Encapsulating his father’s wit, humor, and charisma, Jaden made a rather funny explanation to his decision to not move out just yet by telling Ellen, “See, here’s the thing that you need to understand: I’m not going anywhere… The thing that people don’t get is [that] everything at this house is free! So I can get anything and everything at this house, so I’m going to be there [for] 20 [or] 30 more years.”

Just because he was clarifying that he wanted independence did not mean he would leave the very next day, right? Jaden’s quick rebuttal of the matter left quite the sour aftertaste for the gossip columnists.

A Fresh Start Took Time

In truth, it took a few years from the Red Table Talk with his mother and the Ellen interview before Jaden Smith finally moved away from his family’s Malibu home.

June 2017 was the moment that the 19-year-old Jaden Smith moved into a $4 million mansion. Where was this grand mansion located? It was right next to his parent’s house in Los Angeles’ Hidden Hills neighborhood.

He Showed His Wisdom

Talk about pulling the biggest prank on the tabloids, and he implemented his decision of gaining independence. Still, he was smart enough to do it at the right time, and in a clear admission that he just loves his family too much to be too far away from them.

Jaden declared his independence next door. He got the sense of freedom he was looking for but could still have his parents close by.

Carving Out His Space

For Jaden, sporting crazy haircuts and unconventional attire can only do so much to express himself creatively and escape the looming shadow of his Hollywood A-list parents, especially if you are still regarded as a teenager that is still living with your parents.

By moving out, Jaden could establish a form of independence that can help him develop the confidence to make it independently using his ability. That was one of the most integral parts of his journey towards independence.

He Appreciates His Parents

One of the most important things that Jaden revealed to everyone during the Red Table Talk was that he sees his parents and family with a renewed sense of admiration, respect, and love.

Like any other child that is about to move on towards being independent, Jaden explained his newly aligned perspective by saying, “It just makes you appreciate being at home, being with your parents [and] spending quality time with your family. You get out into the world, and then you just kind of understand things.”

A Newfound Appreciation and Love

With that being said, it does, in a way, prove that Will and Jada have been right about the way they raise their children. Both parents have benefitted from giving their son the freedom and the respect that he desires for independence.

The opportunity to move out has provided Jaden with an entirely different perspective of his parents and injected him with a newfound sense of appreciation for them.

The Children Have Grown Up Wise

Surprisingly, giving him the freedom he desires makes him miss them even more. Both Jaden and Willow have significantly matured over the years. They’ve proved that they’ve been raised in the right way.

They have even suggested that it might have been even better if they were spared from the spotlight a little longer before being introduced to the celebrity lifestyle.

Willow’s Early Rise Caused Issues

One of the best examples that wealth and fame do not necessarily equal happiness is none other than the fame that was experienced by Willow in 2010 when she was just ten years old. It was a crazy time for her.

She was immediately experienced celebrity status after her single ‘Whip My Hair’ became a viral hit. It was huge at the time and a lot for any person to take.

She Didn’t Enjoy the Fame

Willow described that instead of basking in the fame, it was a time that was more depressing and nerve-wracking than any other. She described that it was a “really terrible experience.”

While also adding that, “The values of the people that were around me should have been the opposite.” Even though she garnered her fame, she regretted that it was done when she was just too young and not ready for it.

Reaching for the Stars

Every parent wants to see their children achieve success in life, and the Smiths are no different. But with a celebrity status that is already way up in the stratosphere, it isn’t really necessary for Will and Jada to push their two children to be all they can be at such a young age.

It’s good to nurture the attitude and mindset of reaching for the stars, but it’s wiser to educate them to implement them when they are much more mature and ready. Their family is already famous as is, and it would not take much to push the artistic endeavors of both Jaden and Willow, even if they had started much later.

Getting Emotional About Mistakes

There was a point where Jada herself got all teary-eyed, thinking that they might not have done it right for Willow, especially when Jada realized that she was hurting from the experience and consequence of childhood fame.

Jada explained to Willow their initial thoughts on the matter when she first became famous through her work by saying, “Your dad and I, we were like, ‘Oh man, she’ll be set up for life. This is her start.’”

She Was Hurting Inside

Little did they know at the time that their daughter was hurting inside, and Willow also explained that shaving her head was directly the consequence of feeling upset about her pop star career and fame. She wanted to rebel.

Associating her action with lyrics from the song ‘Lithium by Nirvana, Willow said, “There’s a Nirvana lyric that says, ‘I shave my head, and then I’m not sad.'”

Jaden Had Similar Early Fame

However, Willow was not the only one experiencing difficulty handling early fame and being pushed into the spotlight at such a tender age.

Jaden was also experiencing fame of astronomical proportions at a very young age after he took up the role of Chris Gardner’s son, Christopher, in Will Smith’s extremely successful non-fiction film, ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ in 2006. Long story short, the movie was a hit and won critical acclaim.

It Was a Huge Hit

It did not just win over the film critics; it gave Will Smith an Oscar for best actor. The authentic portrayal of the father and son relationship in the movie was mostly because Jaden and Will were real-life father and son.

The movie and the fame that the movie brought may have cemented his father’s acting career as an all-star actor, but Jaden felt that the early fame caused problems throughout his life.

First Lead Role Caused Problems

‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ gave recognition to Jaden’s acting skills, and the fame it brought came with some baggage, and made Jaden feel like the role he took in ‘The Karate Kid’ reboot was the one that truly traumatized him.

Jaden explained, “I went through the same thing that Willow went through with “Whip My Hair” with The Karate Kid. It was happening at the same time.” Jaden was given the lead role in the film alongside Jackie Chan. Being the leading character of a film opened up a whole new level of scrutiny and criticism about his ability to act, which left Jaden traumatized.

Emotional Trials

The negative effects of early fame and its affecting Jaden was something that Jada was fully aware of. Jada remembers Jaden being emotionally distraught when The Karate Kid was released. The memory was still very clear in her mind as it involved the emotional state of her son.

Jada described it, “I remember the moment because I asked [Jaden], [and he] went into that full split… He was in tears, and I was like, ‘I’m done.'” Luckily, Jaden was more a fighter than a quitter, and just like his character in The Karate Kid, Jaden dealt with the pressure and the hardships that came with it. Jada continued to reflect on the moment and remembered what Jaden himself said to her as she explained the moment it happened, “He looked at me like, ‘Mom, I’m good, got up, and said, ‘Let’s do it again.’”

Jada Doesn’t Preach To the Children

Even though there are times that the Smiths may have stumbled and hit a few bumps on the road in the journey of raising their children, they make up for it with a whole lot of love, support, and freedom they provide their children.

Being able to raise a family and successfully maintaining a marriage, Jada is never one to preach. Every family makes mistakes, but it’s all about learning and not judging.

Jade Is Protective of Her Methods

When it comes to sharing her parenting methods and how she and Will have decided to nurture their children, Jada is apprehensive. She fully understands that the circumstances surrounding her family, compared to other families, are vastly different, and the circumstances surrounding every family are unique.

Jada explains that “Every child needs something different,” in mentioning that, it is Jada’s way of saying that ‘don’t nobody dare judge our children.’

Jada Soon Felt Vulnerable

Jada’s Red Table Talk always left an impression on fans of the show and why many love and adore Jada for her transparency. One of the most intriguing situations surrounding the show was when people noticed that Jada was beginning to wear turbans.

Realizing that her choice of apparel was beginning to become a major discussion among fans, Jada owed it to herself and her viewers to come clean and reveal why she was wearing a turban. Feeling that it would be betraying the entire premise and purpose of the Red Table Talk, Jada finally decided to reveal heartbreakingly that she was experiencing hair loss.

A Huge Insecurity Brought To Light

The topic of discussion on the episode of the Red Table Talk in 2018 revealed her hair loss issue was the topic of ‘insecurities.’ Realizing that it was the topic, Jada boldly decided to be honest about her insecurities.

She honestly felt like she would be a hypocrite if she, as the host of the show and a strong advocate of transparency and honesty, did not share this. As hard as it was for her to share this matter in front of everyone, Jada went on with it anyway. Her viewers received me in open arms, and they applauded her for her honesty and courage.

Learning Self-Love and Acceptance

In the Red Table Talk discussion on insecurities, Jada started the conversation by placing a stake on the ground and expressing her truth. She suggested that they talk about the things they don’t like about themselves.

Regardless of how beautiful other people might say you are, there is always something that we don’t like about ourselves. What she said resonated with her mother and daughter in that episode.

Her Mother Highlighted Issues Too

With just that one remark, Jada highlighted that women’s insecurities span across different generations and have absolutely nothing to do with beauty or age. Jada’s mother explained that “For older women, youth is everything.

So, everything you see on television, everything you see everywhere, is everything about staying young. And so, it becomes challenging as you become older to try not to get obsessed with trying to stay young.”

The Explanation of Hair Loss

In the spirit of openness and full disclosure, Jada finally explained to her mother and daughter and everyone watching the Red Table Talk that day. She said, “I’ve been having issues with hair loss. And I’m going to tell you [that] it was terrifying when it first started.”

Later on, she continued to reveal her first frightening experience of hair loss, “I was in the shower one day, and then [there was] just handfuls of hair, just in my hands.”

She Became Very Worried

On many occasions, she would freak out and believe there was something wrong with her. She began questioning if she would lose all of her hair, or even worse, could she be having some form of health issue that she was not aware of.

The family that was with her on the show sympathized and became very emotional after hearing Jada’s explanation.

She Did All She Could

Jada continued sharing her experience with hair loss, “[It was] to the point that people thought I had weaves.” She didn’t want people to believe that she was losing her hair.

Although it was tough to accept, Jada, at one point, decided that she was just going to accept the fact her hair may slowly thin out and she may lose all of it completely. She did all she could and even went as far as seeking medical help and getting an explanation from her doctors.

Diagnosis Took Some Time

But even the doctors could not diagnose the cause of her hair loss condition. She continued to explain, “They don’t know why. People have said stress.” It was a highly unusual explanation for Jada because she has never recalled being overly stressed than any other ordinary person would feel.

The closest possible explanation that would be more feasible was a rare condition called alopecia. That diagnosis made a lot more sense to her than saying it was stress.

Living with the Condition

People who suffer from alopecia not just lose the hair on their scalp because the condition will eventually cause hair on other parts of the face and body to fall off as well.

This would include eyelashes, eyebrows, and even facial hair. There are some cases of recovery from alopecia, in which the hair begins to grow back again. It’s a serious condition that has huge mental and physical consequences.

Jada Was Devastated About It

However, in most cases, the damage is irreparable. Presently, there is no known cure for alopecia, and it is truly a condition that can break the hearts of those who have this condition.

This included Jada Smith, who initially felt devastated by it. Somehow or another, Jada then recalls a significant moment when she gained a sense of perspective in her thought process.

The Higher Power and Reflection

In true Jada Smith fashion, she then had an epiphany, and she began to describe it by saying, “I had to put it in a spiritual perspective of like, the higher power takes so much from people. People are out there who have cancer; people have sick children. I watch the higher power take things every day.” Reflecting on her own life, Jada realizes that she has been given a truly blessed life.

She knows that she has gained wealth, success, fame, talent, and, most importantly, a beautiful family. The mother of two finally realized that losing some hair was just a trivial thing. From that moment onwards, she decided not to take it too seriously with her hair loss issues and looked at things from a much bigger and more meaningful perspective.

Feeling like a Queen

From an altogether different view, Jada could still see the humor in her situation and her condition. In one episode of the Red Table Talk, instead of looking solemn and sad while putting on her turban, the actress displayed a façade of pride and joy.

From the outside looking in, everyone was amazed at how well she copes with her situation and does not take herself or her condition too seriously. It’s an impressive attitude and shows her great mentality.

A Family Full of Love and Support

To some extent, Jada has explained that wearing a turban felt like an accessory that made her feel majestic and royal in due time. She explained that “When my hair is wrapped, I feel like a queen.” The ultimately is proof that with the right perspective, the right mindset, and the right attitude, anyone can turn any dire or negative situation into an empowering one.

That is one lesson we can take from Jada Smith to every one of us wanting to lead better lives. It also shows the attitude of the family. Whatever happens, you can take it on bravely with plenty of love and support.