I know a lot of people dislike 12-year-old Jaden Smith, our newest movie star. But I don’t feel like hating on a little kid, especially one who is totally bringing it. Now – I do admit I love Jaden’s dad Will. Will is the bomb, and he treats his fans with respect, and he’s actually a really solid actor. But Will never really brings it, fashion or style-wise. As for Jaden’s mom Jada – ugh. Her style is horrible. So where did Jaden get his style? How did Jaden learn how to be this righteous?
I know lots of people have a thing about kids’ hair and what it says about their parents, but I love when a kid is given free-reign to try different thing. That’s what those years are for! The one massive exception to that rule, of course, is teenage girls who dress like Taylor Momsen or Miley Cyrus. And even then, I feel uncomfortable making fun of them solely on their style – I try to combine it with criticism of their entitled little personalities.
So, at the end of the day, does Jaden’s righteous ‘fro matter? No, of course not. But I can’t help but think he’s one cool little kid just trying to find his way. Yes, his teenage years are going to be crazy. They’ll be difficult for all of us, I imagine. But I’m willing to give Jaden a shot, just because I think the kid’s going to end up really cool.
Jaden in London on July 15, 2010. Credit: Bauer-Griffin.
He’s certainly a handsome little guy…like his dad! Hope he turns out ok, too.
I gotta say if a person dislikes a child they don’t even know personally their jealous and they have serious problems. He is a kid and he didn’t do anything to anyone. Also his hair is adorable.
That’s some big hair, but the kid’s got some attitude to carry it. For just being 12, he’s got something about him. He’s going to have girls all over him, if he doesn’t already.
I’m more concerned about where he got those whackass boots.
Eh, he’s a young kid, so I’m pretty whatever about it. For some reason, though, I get the vibe that he’s growing up as a very entitled kid. Not a good thing no matter where you live or who your parents are or even if you are in movies yourself. (See Lohan, Lindsay.)
It’s just Montenegro style!!
its what his hair looks like naturally and he should be proud of it and not expected to shave it off or put chemicals in it.
as long as he’s careful not to get it caught in anything, and I don’t have to sit behind him in the theater, I vote righteous.
What’s the big deal about him wearing his very own hair in a comb-out?
I, too, am goggling more at the boots. Don’t trip!
I liked this kid alot after watching karate kid but got a lil annoyed after his disrespectful interview with david letterman. sure the kids gona be huge, he is a Smith after all…but to start out this arrogant, disrespectful and smug at such an early age does not bode well. I have a feeling hes not going to be nearly as nice as Will was.
I hate these slow celeb news days…
Jaden is straight out of the 70s. I LOVE THIS KID! And that afro is totally righteous, it really fits him well.
That much hair probably wouldn’t work for a cost accountant or red state politician, but it’s perfectly fine for a kid. I love hairstyles that work with the hair’s natural traits. Awesome fro, Jaden!
@jen – lol!
no problem with his hair, it’s the smug look on his face that is too much. It’s not a good look for anyone, regardless of age.
who can dislike an adorable child w/ an awesome afro? i wish my hair could afro like that….
He’s a little cutie and I love the hair and the confidence he always parades around with.
He is owning all of it.
Good for him.
He’ll grow into himself and mature but he’s a kid and he’s famous and his parents are celebrity’s and he’s just feeling the love and attention.
@jackson…he is entitled of course but that is not what creates a Lohan.
We have no idea the values that are taught and modeled in his home and how this kid is wired.
Who cares? He’s a kid for god sake!
i love afros, so i vote righteous! looks like it would be cooler to buzz it for summer, though…kid’s got a lot of hair.
The hair is fine, but I must agree with Snowball what the hell is up with those ugly Ren Fest boots?
Jesus…I’m already sick of this kid.
He looks freakin adorable!
Agree with Keilo, that kid is a little snot. if my kid behaved like that, I would have put an end to those types of events and no more movies.
As long as he’s happy with it, my opinion doesn’t matter. (But I do like it!) Hope the smugness doesn’t become a permanent expression, though. ITA w/ “electric”!
He’s beyond adorable, and FTR I love that hair, but he ALWAYS looks so smug! I can’t help but think he’s spoiled or arrogant.. it’s upsetting.
i have a terrible feeling that pretty soon all hollywood movies will feature hollywood stars and/or their spawn. and that is NOT good.
@Eden – of course entitlement doesn’t always create a Lohan, but it often doesn’t create a very nice person, either. As others have mentioned, it is the entitled/smug/whatever you want to call it vibe that he gives off at such a young age. To me, it doesn’t bode well.
But, the hair, whatevs…
I don’t talk smack about kids either but yeah, he looks smug as hell and if he was my kid, I would be doing a little attitude adjusting.
As far as the hair, whatever.
Does this kid do anything that isn’t just a scream for attention? Love his dad, but the kid’s “My s**t don’t stink” attitude is very tiresome.
He carries it off well. He is going to be a handsome man. I like his confidence. It appears that Jada and Will are great parents.
Well he’s a movie star now so I think it’s fair to say how I feel about him.
Hate him.
Welll ya gotta let your braids out for your scalp’s sake and for deep cleansing and conditioning. His heair looks healthy, but a tad orange–sunburned? It needs a trim, but he should keep rockin’ the look, because it suits his playful nature.
This kid has more fashion sense in his pinky than mom or dad! He’s cute…a little too cocky, but talented and cute!
Maybe his Dad can teach him some of his laid-back, respectful style.
Yep, he’s cool. A little too full of himself, I think, but we’ll see.
I just love too much Will.
Love his afro, love his fashion sense, but dislike his attitude. And Will Smith seems so incredibly polite and respectful, so I don’t know what happened with the son.
Sorry, but that ‘fro is too much of a good thing. You couldn’t part that hair with a weed whacker.
Perhaps the “smug” expression is just his default face. Who knows?
I didn’t find that Letterman interview offensive; I think he’s a kid in a grown-up business that wanted to engage in grown-up banter with Letterman. I imagine it didn’t go how he planned. I guess the fact he is a privileged kid may have added to the negative reactions some people had. Not all kids are saccharine sweet/adorable/cutesy, some like Jaden are a little awkward and find their way later.
He’s just 12(?), I won’t pass judgement on him until he reaches adulthood and has a better perspective on the world. We don’t know how he’ll turn out; he could be as awesome an adult as his dad.
Anyway, I love his hair and would kill for that ‘fro. Cool kid.
I hope big afros don’t come back on style, little ones look so much better. Jaden is going to be quite a handsome guy, I hope he doesn’t copy he mother style of way out there clothing.
I don’t know why but this kid is beyond annoying and overrated.
@ Leticia –
Will was raised old school, with a strong African-American woman who brooked no bad behaviour, outside of fame & money, and he became famous later. That’s the difference here. This little boy is being raised in privilege, in the viper’s nest that is known as Hollywood.
I think it’s cute! I had LOL @ Praise’s comment about not having to sit behind him in a movie theater though.
I think his expression looks peaceful and confident, not smug. Why is a confident expression so often interpreted as smug?
Anything to get more attention, eh, Jaden?
Wow. Both amazed and horrified at how many people can make nasty comments/assumptions based on a single picture of a little boy smiling for a camera. I weep for the future.
@ Jen: Love it!
I am determined to work “Montenegro style” into my daily conversation, because it is solid gold.
funkadelic little dude
Jen-you win. I am also planning on using the “Montenegro style” comment as much as possible. It is a thing of beauty. Leave it to La Jolie to come up with that as an explanation.
Also, this kid’s sister is in full out styling mode, too. I am sure Mama has a big hand in it.
I’m old school but this too much. The only reason he is getting so much attention is because of parents.
If I’m not mistaken Jaden had his hair in braids for a long time. When they are are taken out your hair get extremely big. Some people cut/trim it and others leave it natural. It’s not a big deal.
Peter Pan called and wants his clothes back.
maybe he’s got some lenny kravitz blood in him? oh lenny…
Righteous. You can never have a ‘fro be “too big”!
Dang, he’s 12. Why are we criticizing a 12 year old?
He’s cute, but the whole thing reeks of “stylist” to me.
fire his PR people this kid looks like shit in that outfit.
btw his parents should teach him to be more humble. He always sounds like a douche bag in all his interviews.
I LOVE JADEN! His hair is AMAZING. I LOVE when black people let their hair do it’s thing. No straighteners, no chemicals, all fro all day.
Not to mention that he’s so cute that I can barely stand it.
Love his hair. I just watched the Letterman interview. I didn’t think he was smug but he did remind me alot of his father. Most 11/12 year olds are a little bit attitudinal. I am sure that his father will make sure that he doesn’t get out of hand.
I don’t understand where people are getting the idea that he’s a smug or arrogant. Has he ever said anything that makes y’all thing that way? Or is it just his face y’all don’t like?
love the hair. Hate the outfit. But I don’t have to wear it, so whatever.
This kid absolutely REEKS of attitude
“I weep for the future”
Based on comments here??? Really?
Hahahahahahahahahaha!
Looks like a little girl. Scienobot.
He’s 12. And he’s “in the limelight”. Of course he’s got an attitude. He’ll either grow out of it for not, time will tell. Jeez, he’s a kid. Let him act like a kid. Now lets get off the hatetrain and talk about his fabulous collection of jackets and if he really picks out those clothes himself. I have my doubts.
Afros can be really cute, but his is too long and out of control…it needs a bit of a trim.
You can see that he is totally dressed up by his mamma, and the attitude is just like her as well.
He looks like he walked right out of the 70’s movie “The Warriors”, remember…..”Warriors, come out and plaaay!” Check out the clip and see if you don’t agree.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u05Qot_yh9c
“Both amazed and horrified at how many people can make nasty comments/assumptions based on a single picture of a little boy smiling for a camera. I weep for the future. “
Very well said. All I see is a kid smiling for the camera. Sure, he’s striking a pose; he’s wearing an ecclectic outfit.
well, what about Shiloh’ clothing? righteous or too much?
Oh, Kaiser, you’re just terrible. That was a little bit racist.
I don’t care if you don’t post it. It’s for you.
He’s a little boy!
Leave him alone!
Go to any middle school in America
and you’ll see the same hair and the same clothes. Pick on somebody your own size.
I am sorry to say I am just not a fan. Don’t hate him of course, but there is just something that rubs me the wrong way. It might be something to do with his parents – actually I don’t mind Will Smith, he is quite talented. But just that its cause they are famous we have to be inflicted with the offspring. Plus they are pushing the sister along too. Its like the Kardashians – you just know those next 2 sisters are waiting in line once the others get past it. I guess its understandable if the family is in the industry and they want their piece of the action, but can’t they just grow up a bit first.
It is racist to consider a persons natural hair “too much” when that person is black. I think he looks great!
I imagine, that in the hot weather, it can FEEL like a heck of a lot of ‘too much’!
That’s the only thing I wonder about. Having hair that can do almost that if I work it right, I know how hot it can be to wear it like that. *whew*
It is racist to consider a persons natural hair “too much” when that person is black.
_______________
Is it? I don’t think so. What if someone’s hair is considered “too much” and they’re not black? My natural hair, when I do nothing to it, is “too much.” It’s a messy, unruly mop. When someone tells me that my hair is too much and out of control, it’s not racist, it’s not an ethnic slur on me (I’m Italian and Greek). It just is.
I don’t think his hair is too much, but some might. Doesn’t make them racist.
He does have a smug little face, but I think it’s adorable! I think it’s the little smirk.
@Love: How is the word “righteous” racist? It makes me think of the 70’s, that’s all. Hell, I still use it myself.
God damnit, all the people who have to make every. single. little. thing. about race need to pull the panties out of their asscrack and CHILL.
He is so adorable. Love the fro!
By some of these comments, you’d think that someone’s personality stops developing at age 12, then they prove it by making bitchy comments like 12 year old girls.
Awww, little Jaden, he’s so cute, I want to take him home and snuggle with him. I don’t mean that in a perverted way, I’m saying like I do with my kids,lol. His hair is alright, but hey, whatever floats his boat and I don’t think he’s got bad style. Will is such a great actor, the way he has improved throughout the years is AMAZING…this kid is a pretty good actor as well (for a kid) and in time he will get even better, practice makes perfect. 😉 I defiantly liked Karate Kid and when he came out with Will in Pursuit of Happiness, omg, I cried my eyes out,lol.
Why would people dislike him when he does a great job and appears to have acting potential?
I wonder if that hair requires a lot of up keep? I have long hair and it’s a huge pain in the a**. Of course, being that I’m white and female, my hair is probably nothing like his.
I think he looks great! He’s a cute kid. I haven’t seen any of his movies, so I couldn’t say if he can act. However, his father has a lot of talent. So, at least we know he has a good teacher at home.
I’m always skepitcal of celebrity offspring. But, he clearly does have good genes!
i think he’s free to do what he wants with it, but as a black female i know that when black mothers have children with so-called “good” hair–hair that is curly and not as kinky as the average black person’s hair–they get a little excited and tend to let it grow out more to basically show it off. not all black people are like this ok. i just know it definitely happens.
curious to find out about all this smugness and arrogance people are talking about though
This kid is so in your face just like his annoying parents.
Completely righteous. There is no such thing as a ‘fro that is too big.
How does anyone know Jaden picked this look out? His hair was like this at the BET awards, and Jada was right there. You rarely see them out together unless its going to be televised or seen. Jada/Will.
When he had his hair braided was that Jadens or Jada choice? Now his afro again could be his choice but probably he just took his braids out and haven’t got it braided again.
Jada seems to run the house, and the kids.
Ummm…he’s more stylish because he probably LISTENS to the stylist they pay to pick out his clothes.
@ Liana
Though I am reticent to file this under the unfortunate classification of “racist”, don’t be naive.
Afro hair and its historical perception by people of other races is intrinsically tied to black race ethos in America. There is a stigma that is attached to black hair with which other ethnic groups don’t have to concern themselves. “It’s too unruly, woolly, nappy, kinky” are common detractions. (Admittedly, these days you are more likely to hear that from a black person.) My best friend and cousin have have had to wear wigs or straighten their hair before interviews in order to make their hair instutionally more acceptable. While we are increasingly living in a more pluralstic society that allows for the co-existence of trends, perceptions die hard. If were custom that most blacks in America sported natural hair, this wouldn’t have even been a story.
Oh, I know there is a stigma somehow attached to natural hair and there’s the whole “good hair” thing (which really, is dumb – hair is hair, it simply adorns one’s head), but I don’t necessarily think that racism was implied here. That doesn’t make me naive, just doubtful that anything racist was meant in the original post.
He’s friggin’ 12 years old! Let him have a goofy tween haircut before he’s too old to pull it off. He looks super cute!
Good god please stop writing about this spoiled arrogant brat. Please?
I ADORE big afros on little kids. It’s just the most adorable thing EVER. Love it.
Not a lot of adults have the bone structure to really rock a big ‘fro, but I’ve seen a few that pulled it off well.
Kids, though? LOVE it.
Everything about him in that pic is too much. The hair, the vest, the boots. Ugh at this Smith family, I’m so over them.
love it. so cute. so natural. confident afros are the best.
I Love Jaden Smith!!! I believe he has great confidence and it shows. None of his interviews has came off arrogant…people just want someone to pick on these days. Now why when Justin Bieber act confident and joke around it’s “cute”? I’m actually starting to believe that it’s about color after seeing some of these comments.
too much
Is this a white thing or what? Jaden is neither smug or conceded he’s just a kid who is enjoying his success. He is adorable and sweet. The look on his face is not snug he is confident and he is poising for the camera but you adults are the immature brats here. When out he has to dress the way he does and if you see pics of him not on tour, he dresses like a normal kid. Some adults are so freaking lame.