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Will & Jada Pinkett Smith Memoir Drama What Happens When Unconditional Love Turns Toxic
Celebrities

Will & Jada Pinkett Smith Memoir Drama What Happens When Unconditional Love Turns Toxic

A-list couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith are putting themselves and their relationship at the center of controversial and converging headlines once again. Jada Pinkett Smith had viewers scratching their heads when on a series of back-to-back appearances on the TODAY show, she dropped another bomb. Her and husband of 26 years, Will Smith, have been secretly separated since 2016. But only a few days later she revised her statement during a second "damage control" appearance.In Her New Tell-All Memoir, Jada Reveals She and Will Smith Were Only Pretending to Be Married?Ahead of her upcoming memoir Worthy, Jada Pinkett Smith, 52, revealed in yet another "exclusive" interview that she and husband Will Smith, 55, have been "living separate lives" for 7 years. The Red Table Host disclosed the info while discussing the infamous slap at The Oscars. The one we all know too well.Smith infamously slapped Chris Rock in the face after the comedian called Jada "G.I. Jane" in his monologue – a reference to Pinkett Smith's shaved head. At the time Jada was open about her struggle with alopecia.Fans were quick to point out that Will Smith first seems to laugh at the joke while Jada sits back and rolls her eyes. The camera then cuts back to Chris Rock, but by the time it returns back to Will Smith – his entire demeanour had radically changed. Jada Pinkett Smith Does Damage Control Apparently, though, Jada Pinkett Smith wanted to set the record straight and inform the public that she had nothing to do with her now disgraced husband's actions.“I did that eye roll not so much for me — and I think this is really important — but the fact that there could be a jab at alopecia.” - Jada Pinkett Smith, explains her reaction to Chris Rock jokeAfter storming the stage, Smith returned to his seat, screaming, "keep my wife's name out your f**king mouth" However, according to Jada, being called his "wife" was more shocking than the slap itself! Jada and Will Have Lived Separately For Seven YearsIn her initial interview with the TODAY show, Jada Pinkett Smith confirmed, that despite their red carpet appearances and PDA over the years that she and Will Smith "had not called each other husband and wife for years".Jada Pinkett's curious claims are only further confused by her ambiguous language. The TODAY Show host wants to make sure she has it right, so she asked for clarification. Jada Pinkett Smith definitively says while they are not "divorced on paper", because she "made a promise" (weird logic, but ok)--she and Will Smith live "completely separate lives", and are for all intents and purposes, divorced. Just minus the paperwork. "I made a promise there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce. We will work through whatever. And I haven't been able to break that promise."- Jada Pinkett Smith, TODAY ShowMedia outlets were quick to report on Jada Pinkett Smith's shocking interview, and it wasn't the most flattering coverage to say the least. The actress turned author received lots of negative press following her grand reveal. It was hard for fans not to feel deceived by a public figure who so often spouts that she is completely honest and authentic.Following the backlash, Pinkett Smith appeared for a second time on the TODAY Show to clear the air, that she had failed to clear the first time. Pinkett Smith frustratingly puts the confusion on the hosts shoulders for the "misunderstanding". She doubles back on her statement that she and Will Smith are "working hard" and are not separated, instead saying Will is her "great love" and they are in a "deep healing space". "The whole journey has brought Will and I closer in such an authentic way," Jada backtracks.Naturally, it was hard not to feel like Jada Pinkett Smith was washing her hands clean of all wrong doing, and that once again, disappointingly, Will Smith is letting her.Will Smith Tries To Use Humour to Deflect, But His Jokes Fall Short Against Stark RealityYesterday, Will Smith joined the conversation surrounding his tumultuous marriage, in a divisive way. In an Instagram captioned "OFFICIAL STATEMENT", Will Smith starts off the video alleging he is about to share his real opinion. before the video is edited to a series of birds-eye view, panned-out stills of the universe.The joke is obviously a light-hearted jab--and at this point in history, a totally welcome jab--at inflated celebrity egos and misguided sense of self-importance, and it almost works! If it wasn't more sad than it was self-aware. As Chris Rock aptly pointed out in his Netflix comedy special, Chris Rock: Selective Outrage, when it comes to Will Smith's and Jada Pinkett Smith's confusing marriage? “She hurt him way more than he hurt me.”Rock is, of course, referencing the painful (and viral) conversation that took place when Jada admitted to an affair with a family friend. She followed up this admission by asking how it made Will feel. Fans were not impressed with Will's "beta" behaviour and allowing his wife to disrespect him so casually and publicly.“Everybody in the world called him a b*tch. They called his wife a predator,” Rock said. “Everybody called him a b*tch and who’s he hit? Me! [Someone] he knows he can beat."- Chris Rock, on former friend Will Smith assaultingWhen Trying To Control The Narrative Gets Out Of Control@jadapinkettsmith/InstagramIf there's anything we can learn from Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's marriage is that trying to control the narrative may just make for a more confusing one.We don't need to have all the answers. But when we don't know what to do sometimes the best thing to do is nothing. Explosive actions and reactive behaviour doesn't just harm ourselves, but it can harm others in our life too.Will and Jada Pinkett Smith share adult children Jaden Smith, 25, and Willow Smith, 22 (Will has a son, Trey Smith, from a previous relationship). But Jada's need for the public to sign off on all her marital grievances may be causing her family more pain than she realizes. This certainly isn't the first time the family's private affairs were shared publicly. In fact, with her divulging podcast Red Table Talk, Jada has earned the reputation of oversharing her family's private life. Reports say their kids have had enough, "they wish some of their family's private matters remained private."When Unconditional Love Isn't EnoughFor Will Smith's part? It seems at least his love is unconditional. Smith made an emotional speech supporting his wife at a press event for her new memoir Worthy, describing their marriage as “a sloppy public experiment in unconditional love.”There is absolutely nothing wrong with making mistakes. In relationships that will last half a lifetime, we're bound to do it! However, if your goal is to heal, perhaps it is best to focus on that actual healing, instead of telling everyone how good you are at healing. There is a fine line between unconditional love and staying in a toxic relationship and continuing a cycle of abuse. Only Will and Jada can know for certain what is best for them. But until they get to their final destination, maybe it's a good idea to keep the journey to themselves.

20 Will Smith Quotes That Will Inspire You
Actors

20 Will Smith Quotes That Will Inspire You

Will Smith has a track record of success that anybody would envy. He's one of the few artists to have enjoyed great success in three different entertainment fields: TV, Music and Movies. In the 80s, he started as a rapper under the name The Fresh Prince with modest success, but he quickly rose to fame after taking the title role in the TV series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. After the series ended, Will Smith moved to starring in movies. Smith has starred in several Hollywood blockbusters like Men In Black, iRobot, The Pursuit of Happyness, Ali, and Bad Boys. He's the only actor to have 8 consecutive movies to earn more than $100 million at the box office. Through his films, his love for life and his speeches, he has become an inspiration to millions of people around the world.Here are some of Will Smith's best inspiring quotes that will encourage you to live to your full potential“The first step is you have to say that you can.” – Will Smith“Greatness is not this wonderful, esoteric, elusive, god-like feature that only the special among us will ever taste, it’s something that truly exists in all of us.” – Will Smith Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. – Will Smith“I wake up every morning believing today is going to be better than yesterday.” – Will Smith“Life isn’t how many breaths you take, but it’s the moments that take your breath away.” – Will Smith “Fear is not real. The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future. It is a product of our imagination, causing us to fear things that do not at present and may not ever exist. Do not misunderstand me danger is very real, but fear is a choice.” – Will Smith“Money and success don't change people; they merely amplify what is already there.”– Will Smith“Life is lived on the edge.” – Will Smith“There’s no reason to have a plan B because it distracts from plan A. “ – Will Smith“In my mind, I’ve always been an A-list Hollywood superstar. Y’all just didn’t know yet.” – Will Smith“Being realistic is the most commonly traveled road to mediocrity.” – Will Smith“If you don’t fight for what you want, don’t cry for what you lost.” – Will Smith “Stop letting people who do so little for you control so much of your mind, feelings and emotions.” – Will Smith“If you’re absent during my struggle don’t expect to be present during my success.” – Will Smith“If you’re not making someone else’s life better, than you are wasting your time. Your life will become better by making other people’s lives better.” – Will Smith“Don’t chase people. Be yourself, do your own thing and work hard. The right people – the ones who really belong in your life – will come to you. And stay.” – Will Smith“The separation of talent and skill is one of the greatest misunderstood concepts for people who are trying to excel, who have dreams, who want to do things. Talent you have naturally. Skill is only developed by hours and hours and hours of beating on your craft.” – Will Smith“Greatness exists in all of us. “ – Will Smith“I never viewed myself as particularly talented. Where I excel is ridiculous, sickening, work ethic. You know, while the other guy’s sleeping, I’m working.” – Will Smith“I don’t know what my calling is, but I want to be here for a bigger reason. I strive to be like the greatest people who have ever lived.” – Will Smith

Why Will Smith's Shocking Admission About His Marriage Exposes Double Standards
Dating

Why Will Smith's Shocking Admission About His Marriage Exposes Double Standards

Will Smith is laying all his cards on the table. In a revelatory profile on GQ, the 53-year-old actor opens up about his evolution as a husband, father, and professional actor and how he continues to maneuver the countless controversies plaguing his family. Everyone knows that the Smiths like to wear their hearts on their sleeves as far as their family is concerned. They never shy away from delicate subject matters, they never conceal the pains and frustrations they experience within marriage and parenthood, and they will be honest about their lapses in judgment no matter what. In keeping with his honest character, Will Smith provides deeper context about his wife Jada’s so-called infidelity and clears up the misconceptions that have arisen following the initial story. In his admission, Will discloses not only his own blunders over the course of his and Jada’s 23-year partnership but exposes the dangerous double standard of how the public perceived Jada’s affair. Will Smith revealed he also slept with other people outside of his marriageThe situation has always been complicated with Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. The couple said as much when they sat down on Red Table Talk last summer to address Jada’s affair with singer August Alsina. Jada confessed she and Will had briefly separated many years ago, and while they were taking time apart from each other, she pursued a “relationship” with August, who’d been introduced to the family by her son Jaden. The romantic and sexual “entanglement” led to a lot of “pain” on Jada’s end, but it did make her realize how crucial it is to heal yourself from within. Will mentioned in the episode he and Jada had dealt with her affair years ago and had already gone through the customary motions of fighting, arguing, cold-shouldering, and reconciling. Therefore, discussing the ins and outs of Jada’s extramarital activity wasn’t so groundbreaking for them as it was for the rest of the world. They had made up behind closed doors and had made peace with the revelation. Still, the media jumped to slander Jada for admitting to the tryst, and Will was subsequently characterized as a wounded soul; a brokenhearted man jilted by his deceitful wife in favor of a younger man. Yes, he was also mocked and somewhat humiliated for expressing emotion in the episode, but the public was largely sympathetic with his predicament and urged him to leave his wife, both indirectly and directly. In the GQ profile, Will lays bare the realities of their marriage, underlining there’s more to their relationship than meets the eye. “Our marriage wasn’t working,” he said. We could no longer pretend. We were both miserable and clearly something had to change [...] Marriage for us can’t be a prison. Will Smith on GQThe two came to this conclusion in the wake of Jada’s 40th birthday party in 2011, after Will had surprised her with a grand party and a documentary he’d commissioned about Jada’s lineage and family background. After the function, Jada apparently said the whole endeavor was the most “disgusting display of ego” she had ever seen, catalyzing a fighting match between husband and wife. They were yelling so loudly at each other that their 10-year-old daughter had to interrupt them to tell them to stop. That’s when Will and Jada decided their marital union was on the rocks and that they simply had to take a break. Something had to change, Will said; otherwise, they would likely head down a dark path. Contrary to what people think, Jada wasn’t the “only one” who engaged in these liaisons; in fact, Will dabbled in them before his own wife did. His admission exposes the double standard surrounding the coupleWill’s honesty in the face of scrutiny speaks volumes about his growth as a husband, but it also clues us in on a glaring double standard. The Smiths have had an open marriage for 10+ years, yet Jada was immediately crucified for daring to sleep with someone else, even though she said in no uncertain terms that she and Will were separated at the time and weren’t breaking any rules by seeing other people. They mutually agreed to a new framework, knowing how critical it was for the survival of their marriage. Yet, Jada, being the woman, was scapegoated for the whole ordeal. Is it really “cheating” if your partner is informed about your decision and has likely consented to it? We have given each other trust and freedom, with the belief that everybody has to find their own way [...] I don’t suggest this road for anybody. But the experiences that the freedoms that we’ve given one another and the unconditional support, to me, is the highest definition of love. Will Smith on GQ Will says Jada has never been a proponent of conventional marriage, yet she endured a lot of its rigid principles for the sake of her family and her love for Will. “Jada had family members that had an unconventional relationship. So she grew up in a way that was very different than how I grew up,” said the King Richard star. Therefore, the pair carried out extensive conversations about what they wanted their relationship to represent and about the “perfect way to interact as a couple.” Eventually, they determined perfection in a relationship doesn’t necessarily come from monogamy; this is when non-monogamy becomes a valid option. It’s a deeply personal and profound choice to make as a couple, but the fact that the public jumped to condemn Jada without knowing the whole truth reeks of nothing but misogyny. Men in the industry are caught up in illicit sex scandals nearly every day, but most people just dismiss these stories, claiming it’s somebody else’s business. Yet, when a woman candidly speaks about her own sexual encounters, it’s time to accuse her of unfaithfulness. “Once the public decides something, it’s difficult to impossible to dislodge the pictures and ideas and perceptions,” said Will. Just look, for example, at the memes of Will Smith that surfaced following the Red Table Talk discussion: he was made out to be such a hapless, dejected husband, whereas, in reality, Will was exhausted, it was midnight, and they were heading to vacation the following day. “I’m not sad. I’m f**king exhausted,” he said regarding the publicized photo. Marriages are never what they seem Will and Jada needed to give each other “trust and freedom” to function in their partnership. The father-of-three won’t risk recommending this route to anybody else, but it can certainly serve as a legitimate alternative if this is what you think you need. What matters more is to gain a fresh perspective on the Smiths’ situation and empathize with their choice; you might disagree with it, but there’s something to be said for two people who are so devoted to each other they’re willing to court widespread criticism to defend each other and their marriage. Furthermore, we need to be careful about how we touch on other people’s relationships. We never know the full story, so why waste our time by batting back and forth over which we have no control? Marriages are never what they seem, so let’s focus less on what others are doing and more on how we can better ourselves. More inspiring stories:Will Smith and Jada’s Decision To Work Through Her Affair Speaks Volumes About Their MarriageWill Smith Needed To Own Up To His Failings To Understand FatherhoodWhy Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith Felt Like They Didn’t Know Each Other After 22 YearsWhy Will Smith’s Friendship With Martin Lawrence Changed His Life

Will Smith's Troubled Relationship With His Father Forced Him To Man Up
Family

Will Smith's Troubled Relationship With His Father Forced Him To Man Up

Will Smith is widely characterized as one of the most thoughtful, empathetic, and supportive dads in Hollywood. He’s never shied away from taking active participation in his children’s lives, but at the same time, he believes in affording his children adequate space and time to help them flourish independently. Of course, the family is blessed with countless opportunities and immense wealth, but the resources don’t exempt the parents from the strenuous duties associated with parenthood. You still have to put in a shift, prioritize your children’s wellbeing, and do your best to guide them through everything life has to offer, good and bad. While Will does seem like a picture-perfect dad, it didn’t just happen overnight. Like many other fathers, he has had to take the long, winding road to realize his responsibilities as a dad. He knew he couldn’t just wave his magic wand and be present for his children. He had to resolve his misgivings, carve his own path, and learn from the past. This includes a tortuous childhood and a twisted relationship with his own old man. Here’s how Will Smith learned to reconcile his past with the present to become a better dad:Will was determined to not repeat his father’s physical abuse and “aggression”Will Smith, in an episode of his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s show Red Table Talk, shared there were “massive critical deficiencies” in his father’s parenting. Will was born to Caroline Smith, a school board administrator, and Willard Carroll Smith Sr., a veteran from the U.S. Air Force. He grew up with an elder sister and two younger siblings and loved belonging to a big, nuclear family — something he wanted to mirror in the future. I was a gentle kid, like, I was not a kid that you had to slap or punch or beat. So growing up in a household where physical aggression was approved of, that really chaffed my hide. That hurt my spirit. Will Smith in Red Table Talk“By the time I was ten years old, I remember looking at my father, thinking I could do it better than him,” he said. He essentially went through his entire adulthood impassioned to “correct” his father’s consequential mistakes. Willard Sr. had a bit of a “temper” on him, Will said, which became the root cause of much of the tension in the household. Young Will faced the brunt of the physical violence, which exceedingly “hurt his spirit.” But it was witnessing his mother being subjected to the same type of assault that transformed his outlook on life and formed his “biggest emotional scar.” As a result, he promised himself never to repeat his father’s actions and never inflict so much pain on his offspring. What is particularly heartbreaking about his dad’s rage is that Will was, by and large, a “gentle” child who didn’t deserve to be on the receiving end of the bashing. There was a myriad of ways Will’s dad could have disciplined his brood, but he always, without a doubt, opted for the vicious, more harmful route. Therefore, it was hardly a surprise that the Hancock actor strived to carve out his own unique place as a young father outside of his father’s influence and the traumatic memories that accompanied it. But he also appreciates his “discipline” and approach to fatherhood As resentful as he may have been of his father’s cut-throat demeanor, there was also tremendous respect between Will and his old man. Willard Sr passed away on November 7, 2016, from cancer complications, and as such, Will has learned how to make peace with his dad’s ugly side while admiring his more inspiring mindset around life. “He was a teacher. Every single moment was a teaching moment,” said Will. He urged Will to look beyond the traditional school system to cultivate knowledge; in fact, school might “get in the way” of your journey. Therefore, Will made it a point not to hassle his children continuously over school; in his view, “everywhere is school.” He was an old-school, hard, military-minded [...] he was a firm disciplinarian. He demanded order. The combination of order and teaching made him a very powerful role model and a psychological force. Will Smith in Red Table Talk The father-of-three mentioned that it was his dad’s advice back in the nineties that propelled him to accept responsibility for his son Trey and be more hands-on with his upbringing. “His thing was, ‘you can’t father from a distance,’” said the Independence Day actor. He empowered Will to lose his fear of things that are impossible, showing him how he could approach his work in a way that would serve the family. Becoming a dad at 24, Will wasn’t prepared and felt “stark terror” at the prospect of being responsible for a human being. That’s when it dawned on him that his father had done the best he could under the circumstances and that it’s an uphill battle to master parenting, if that’s possible at all. All his father’s critical lessons came flooding back, and he decided he was more like his father than he’d thought. But he also showed me the things I would absolutely, positively, never do to my children. He was so smart but then when he would get angry, he would turn into the dumbest person I’ve ever met. As a kid, I couldn’t understand it. Will Smith in Red Table Talk Ultimately, the discipline instilled in him by his father made him the man he is today. The “man-training,” as Will puts it, was essential in his evolution as a man, a father, a husband, and an actor; he understood the value of honing your craft with restraint, control, and exacting structure. If it wasn’t for old Williard, the actor wouldn’t have so many achievements to his name. The perfectionism made him a better man but it also came at a cost. Parents aren’t perfect, but we can still love themIt’s not a black and white world, and Will Smith will be the first to tell you that you can’t judge a person solely for their failures. Every person has the potential of the utmost kindness and empathy, but if they’re led astray, the potential can disappear, and they started leaning on their most primitive instincts. Willard Sr had a number of flaws; his explosions have left behind lifelong trauma and guilt, but simultaneously, his legacy can be felt in Will’s impact on the world. He molded Will into the man he is today, and though Will’s had to do considerable work to not follow in his dad’s footsteps, he’s still appreciative of the work ethic he drilled into him. Each and every one of us will have something or the other to say about our parents. They weren’t perfect; they were perhaps neglectful or overbearing or reckless or helpless or irresponsible or pushy or cold or demanding. Yet, most of us can also confidently say we love our parents. It’s, of course, biologically encoded in us, but we also understand that we can’t just focus on the negative facets. Most of our parents also demonstrate incredible qualities that we can only hope to emulate and practice. It’s easy to say we can pick and choose how we’d like to take after them, but realistically, we have no control. So appreciate your parent for who they are, but also admire your individuality and how it survives in you and you alone. More inspiring stories:Will Smith Needed To Own Up To His Failings To Understand FatherhoodWhy Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith Felt Like They Didn’t Know Each Other After 22 YearsWill Smith Reveals He’s In The “Worst Shape” Of His Life – And Starts A MovementKevin Hart And Will Smith Get Brutally Honest About Fatherhood Failures

Kevin Hart And Will Smith Get Brutally Honest About Fatherhood Failures
Family

Kevin Hart And Will Smith Get Brutally Honest About Fatherhood Failures

Parenthood is a beautiful phase of life to be in, but not without its complexities. Mothers and fathers have to balance many different factors all at the same time, while consistently prioritizing their children above all else. There is a learning curve, and while some get to undergo the learning curve in private, others experience parenthood under the watchful eye of the public.Fatherhood has its distinct challenges, challenges which no dad is exempt from even if they're famous. Except, if you are an A-List celebrity, the whole world knows about your missteps.Will & Kevin talk shortcomingsOn a Will Smith takeover of Red Table Talk, Kevin Hart and Will both open up about their experiences as fathers, specifically focusing on their shortcomings and the lessons taught by their children. Kevin, who has recently released the movie Fatherhood on Netflix, exhibits incredible growth as a parent, husband, and individual.The Father’s Day RTT episode begins with Will waiting on Kevin who is over an hour late for the interview. Will jokes that because of Hart’s tardiness he is going to ask hard-hitting questions, and in the end, Smith stands by his word.The deep conversation between Will Smith and Kevin Hart delves into what it really means to be a father, particularly in the spotlight. Kevin has been in his fair share of media scandals, most notably when he cheated on his then pregnant wife Eniko Hart. Hart's other notable scandal was when he stepped down as host of the 2019 Oscars due to past comments made offending the LGBTQ+ community. These very public events have brought into question Hart’s integrity as a family man, in addition to his overall character as well.Will starts off the talk by asking Kevin what he thinks “the values” are that “constitute a good father.”Kevin answers saying:Being different from mine. Like, I had a bad father. No disrespect to my dad, ‘cause I know he’ll see this…My dad wasn’t the best father.Kevin describes his experience with his own father saying that his dad used drugs, was absent, in jail, and not around because of his relationship with Kevin’s mother.Kevin reveals, “Me and my brother knew my dad was on drugs. And that’s, that’s tough.”Will shares his relationship with his father saying that it was “rough,” and adding, that it was a “serious military household.” Smith shares childhood trauma saying that he used to “watch my father bust my mother in the head and knock her down.”Will’s relationship with his dad helped shape his current relationship with his own kids. Smith says, “That was my image of relating, and I made the decision that I damn sure wasn’t going to do that when I have my family.”Hart adds, “I see the mistakes my dad made, and I’m just trying to be better than that.”Kevin's children opened his eyes - and he really needed itKevin Hart has four children. Heaven, aged 16, and Hendrix, aged 14, are from Hart’s first marriage to ex-wife Torrei. Kevin also has Kenzo, aged 3, and Kaori, 8 months, with wife Eniko. Kevin praises both Torrei and Eniko as amazing mothers.Referring to his past scandals and media storms, Kevin says of addressing the controversies with his children, “you’re never prepared for that side of it.”Kevin begins discussing the accountability his children represent for him. He reveals, “I can say having a little girl in my life… it’s tough. You don’t realize the impact that your mistakes can truly have. When the kids get involved, it’s a different feeling, it’s a different opinion, it’s a different emotion.”And, through my public debacles, I got on some armor dude. It’s very hard to shoot through this, to poke through this. It’s very hard to bother me. It’s very hard, Will! 1000% I’m telling you it’s so hard to bother me.Kevin HartThen Kevin clarifies there is an exception to affecting him emotionally, and that is through his children. He explains, “But, when your child shows disappointment, shows emotion, shows ‘I don’t understand, why?’ And, you gotta have those conversations, well, now head drops for the first time. And now you realize that there is a different emotional cord that can be pulled on you that nobody else has the privilege of ever touching, and my daughter touched on that cord, man.”Kevin says of his cheating scandal, “You know, when me and my wife went through what we went through, the whole cheating display, my talk with Heaven, God damn, God damn, that was one like no other. Getting my daughter back, getting my daughter to understand that I’m sorry, that I made a mistake. That was real. To understand like, I’m still dad…”Until this day my daughter is tough on me...Kevin HartWill then shares that he and Jada have chosen to be very open with their children about “their realities.” They tell their kids “everything,” and try and get ahead of a media storm, but at times they have fallen short.The struggle between fathers and daughters(Instagram)As we grow older our relationships with our parents evolve, but the father-daughter relationship has its specific characteristics that are sometimes universal. There is often a struggle within fathers between letting go of their daughters and respecting their right to explore life with independence, and balancing expressing their often natural protective instincts.Hart and Smith reveal this struggle to be a challenge for them as girl dads, particularly in the limelight. They discuss their concerns of properly equipping their children for the harsh realities of life given the comfortable environments they have raised them in. Regarding their daughters, Hart and Smith are both concerned about unwanted male attention just like many fathers out there.Regarding the LGBTQ+ community scandal, Kevin reveals, “my daughter was so upset, because she couldn’t process how people could think this about her father.”And, it was so tough because this is when I started to realize how my fame has an impact on my household.Kevin HartKevin had to see things from a new perspective. He says, “I had to really understand my daughter’s side. My daughter had a talk with me about her mother that rocked me, she checked me! She said, ‘I want you to stop saying…because when you say these things dad, ‘this, and this and this…’”Kevin reveals that Heaven essentially woke him up to his insensitive ways.He says, “It took me a minute to understand that. Now I can honestly say, the relationships have improved because I am now aware of the shit that I could have done to bring havoc or bring problems.”Will asks Kevin what he has “learned over his 16 years as a parent,” and Kevin jokes that he is going to cry as he tries to answer the question.Then Hart displays incredible personal growth saying, “You know Will, what am I learning should be the question because, you’re constantly learning. I’m 41, I’m getting older, I’m getting more mature, and the biggest lesson to date is just learning to listen. I was a late bloomer to the listening side of it. I was taught to say what I wanted to say.”Kevin reflects and says, “I wish that I would have arrived at this space in my earlier years, and I just would have been able to handle a lot of different situations differently. There’s a lot of people that were probably misunderstood, there a lot of relationships that were lost because of the way that I handled stuff. You gotta listen, man.”While Kevin Hart has had more than one media snafu to date, it is evident through his uncensored, unfiltered, and emotional talk with Will Smith that he has grown. The way forwardThe powerful bond between a parent and their child is subject to change over the years. We are so close to the ones we love, and in reality, we hurt those people the most. Whether you live a very public life or a private one, our mistakes can often swallow us up emotionally if we do not choose to grow from the experience.Choose growth and watch your relationships flourish. If there’s anything to learn from experiencing failure it's that there is always a valuable lesson inside. It is human nature to err but it is a choice to learn.The choice is yours.

Will Smith Reveals He's In The "Worst Shape" Of His Life - And Starts A Movement
Mental Health

Will Smith Reveals He's In The "Worst Shape" Of His Life - And Starts A Movement

If there is one thing that unites almost every person around the globe after this past year, it is that our lifestyles were all tested in some way. Quarantines and social distancing measures have changed many of our active lives into more sedentary ones. Lockdowns have led many of us to turn to comforts in times of unknown and often just out of boredom. Our motivations and discipline to exercise have been tested, especially with the decrease in general access to workout equipment and gyms. It’s a recipe for ups and downs, and we all are going through it, together.For many of us, we have seen the numbers go up on the scale and the pants get a little bit tighter. The ups and downs have been emotional, but also quite literal and physical. That is why the image of Will Smith with a bit of a burgeoning belly broke the internet.Will is in the "worst shape" of his lifeWill announced his weight gain to the world in an Instagram post where he is casually standing half naked by the water. The caption on the already iconic photograph reads, “I’m gonna be real wit yall - I’m in the worst shape of my life.” Smith is known for having a typically toned and almost hero-like physique, which is why within the context of what we’ve all been through, the photograph is actually quite profound.Liked over 6.6 million times, Will’s Instagram post garnered close to over 99,000 comments including from celebrity friends. As Questlove eloquently said in a comment on the photo, “This is the most amazing post in the history of social media.”In his next post, Will stands proudly in only black underwear saying in his caption, “This is the body that carried me through an entire pandemic and countless days grazing thru the pantry. I love this body, but I wanna FEEL better. No more midnight muffins…this is it! Imma get in the BEST SHAPE OF MY LIFE!!!!! Teaming up with @YouTube to get my health & wellness back on track. Hope it works!”The YouTube series titled Best Shape of My Life follows Will embarking upon an all-around fitness and health journey. It was stated in a release that in the series you will see, "Smith challenging himself to improve every aspect of his fitness, from agility to power to recovery and more, teaming up with guests including pro athletes, scientists and experts, and top YouTube creators."It's not really about how he looks thoughWill appreciates his body for all that it does for him, but for his personal norm, he is not currently at his baseline. In his own words he says, “I wanna FEEL better,” putting a great emphasis on the word feel. Will’s weight loss transformation journey is not about what anyone else thinks of his current weight, it is about how he feels about it. The same applies for all of us. Your weight and physical appearance are no one else’s business but your own, and your physical health is your own responsibility as well.Will Smith is known for putting smiles on the faces of others. He has been making millions laugh since his days as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and girls swoon since at least Bad Boys or Independence Day. Now he is motivating others to put in the hard work one step (or rep) at a time.For Will, midnight muffins are his kryptonite. For you, it may be something else. The bottom line is that our comforts can become vices if we do not keep them in check. Overhauling your lifestyle, even if you have done it before, can be tough, and letting go of those habits can feel like they’re never going to happen. But, as with many things in life, patience is a virtue. When you put in the work, you see, or better yet feel, the results.Perhaps Dr. Oz said it best in Will’s comments when he said, “I’m glad you are out here owning it, Will. 42% of folks have come out of the last year a little rounder than expected. But, we’ve made it through, and a healthier tomorrow is around the corner for us. For anyone out there struggling—start small… add some FRESH greens to your diet.”What he plans to do nextThe Fresh Prince decided to take a brave approach and share his transformation experience with the world by partnering up with YouTube to document his journey. Physical health and mental health are greatly intertwined, and so it should be interesting to see how Will’s journey unfolds on camera. In fact, considering Will’s playful nature, the series should be highly entertaining as well.It would seem that hilarity has already began to ensue as Will has received an influx of DMs of workouts and photographs of men posing in black underwear just like Smith. He shared some of the content on his Instagram saying under the photos of men in briefs, “Hahahahaha - Let’s go get it! After pics due in 12 weeks! #bigwilliechallenge”The “#BigWillieChallenge” as Will calls it may just be the social media moment many of us have been waiting for. It is a moment of realness that breaks through the classically shiny Hollywood image. Will Smith with a “dad bod” was the icebreaker we all needed to stop hiding under bulky sweaters and big t-shirts with shame. Embrace your body no matter how you feel about the reflection in the mirror, it does so much for us and asks only to be loved in return.Self-love is a universal journeyWill Smith may be a multitalented Hollywood A-List superstar, but he is still at the end of the day a human being going through a pandemic. That is what Will’s picture that broke the internet signifies. Late night muffins and trips to the pantry is only one side to the story and the YouTube docuseries promises to reveal the rest.Love yourself at all shapes and sizes, and if you find yourself in a place where you want to change, do so in a safe manner. Self-care is also prioritizing your health. While Will Smith's version of "the worst shape of my life" may be someone else's best shape right now, or far from it, remember to try not to compare yourself to others. Your journey is not their journey, just as your body is not theirs either.Our lifestyles have all been tested and we have all had to adapt. Some changes are welcome while others are not. Deciphering which ones are which is a decision that is totally up to you, and taking action is a choice that no one else can make for you either. Kindness and acceptance of who you are is key, and physical or mental self-improvement can be pivotal as well.Your life is your own, with its own unique blessings and its own unique struggles. Love it for how it is, what is isn’t, and what you hope one day it can be. Start with the small steps to get to the big strides. Day one isn’t always glamorous, but in the end, it is the day that you are most thankful for.

What Will Smith Learned From His Mistakes in Raising Eldest Son Trey
Parenting

What Will Smith Learned From His Mistakes in Raising Eldest Son Trey

For those of us who were fans of Will Smith back in the days of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, and The Fresh Brince of Bel Air, the megastar is, and always has been, all smiles all the time— with a side of goof and a dash of old-school rap, but again, on the jolly side. So while it’s hard enough to fully process Will Smith in the more serious roles he’s played in recent years, it’s even more challenging to imagine him with a real-life family dynamic that’s much of a struggle.Think you know Will Smith's family?In case you only know his famous youngest kids, Will Smith actually has three children. His first wife, Sheree Zampino, gave birth to their eldest, back in ’92, making Willard Carroll “Trey” Smith III, 27 years old today. With his current (and fellow movie star) wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith fathered Jaden Smith, now 21, and Willow Smith, 18. While much is known about Will and Jada's shared parenting style thanks to their social media presence, less is known about what Will went through in learning to be a good dad to Trey.Willow and Jaden's unorthodox upbringingWill has been vocal over the years about his and Jada’s approach to parenting Jaden and Willow. They do not punish their children, having decided that children should be accorded responsibility for their lives from a young age. They encourage creative expression, full-disclosure style honesty, and don’t resort to the usual gendered double standards when it comes to their daughter’s freedom. Nor do they give any of their children fashion advice, which the media has had a field day with, as Will’s two youngest do indeed express themselves freely and creatively.One thing’s for sure, Will’s parenting philosophies have brought some very creative youth into the world. While Jaden is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor, Willow is a singer, songwriter, record producer, actress and dancer. And Trey, who appeared in the music video for Will Smith’s 1998 single “Just The Two of Us”, has since followed in his father’s footsteps by pursuing a career in the music industry as well.What Will learned from TreySince the media have often focused on the lives and styles and enterprises of Will Smith’s younger children Jaden and Willow, fans and followers of the star have expressed their respect and approval for his willingness to publicly open up about his relationship with his eldest, Trey (Willard Junior!)—his truest namesake. Will has admitted that the pair haven’t always shared such a smooth relationship—in fact, it’s been kind of rocky.The loving reunion after the struggleWill has never been one to shy away from public displays of emotion. He shares his ups and downs with the world as he feels them.Last year he demonstrated this with real integrity when he posted a tribute to his eldest son Trey in an Instagram post, writing: “It has not always been like this between Trey & I. We STRUGGLED FOR YEARS after my Divorce from his Mother. He felt betrayed & abandoned. It is a Wild Blessing to recover & restore a Loving Relationship with My Beautiful Son!” In the post, Smith included a video explaining that he and Trey had been spending quality solo time together in Abu Dhabi, when Trey confided: You know what dad? I just realized you’re not just my dad. I’m pretty sure you’re my best friend.Trey shared his own feelings for Will on his dad's birthday, saying: "To the keeper and distributor of the best (life) and worst (women) advice I’ve ever been given... I want to wish you a very happy birthday." If the endless positive reactions to his post have anything to teach us, I’d hazard a guess that being willing to show vulnerability as a parent can go a long way toward your children knowing and loving you, not just as a parent, but as a person too. Thought of the day: when you give your children the kind of unheard of respect and freedom that Will gives his—it has a sort of equalizing effect, in the sense that, where everyone is treated as an adult, everyone is equal. With that sort of dynamic, vulnerability is part of the territory. We are far less likely to hide emotions from an equal.The power of vulnerable parentsBeing vulnerable with your family in general, and your children in particular, is one of the best ways to grow your bond and show how much you love and trust someone. I can’t help but recall the old Richard Back-derived adage: "If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they’re yours; if they don’t they never were."This applies just as much to family as it does to romantic love. Setting your kid “free” can mean a lot of things, from admitting your own wrongdoing, to apologizing for a prolonged absence, to letting them pursue their own path in life—even if it’s not one you would have chosen for them. Will Smith’s words and actions let the world know he’s just as much human as he is parent, and his relationships with his children seem to reflect the positive side of that.

Jada Pinkett Smith Shares How Friendship Is Key to a Marriage’s Survival
Love Stories

Jada Pinkett Smith Shares How Friendship Is Key to a Marriage’s Survival

Jada Pinkett Smith is very honest and open about her private life,whether it’s on social media or her Facebook Watch series, Red TableTalk. She sometimes touches on topics a lot of celebrities areuncomfortable opening up about, such as recent video she posted about why it was wrong of her to prioritizing romantic love in her marriage to Will Smith."I had an epiphany the other day," Jada said in the post. "I had tocall Will and say, ‘You know what? I have to thank you for enduring myrage.’ It made me realize how durable love must be because we don’thave all the answers at the beginning. We go through life and we getthe answers as we go, and we can break things as we’re finding theanswer."This couple has been together a very long time, by Hollywoodstandards. They wed New Years Eve of 1997, and have had their shares of ups and downs along the way."I realized how unmet standards of romantic love often justified it toturn into a cold heart that many times can fuel hateful and brutalactions of revenge and manipulation towards someone you say or saidyou loved," she captioned the video on Instagram. "It actually may bethe only form of love you can fall OUT of.It takes more than romantic loveShe added: "At one point, my romantic standard of love was all thatmattered and if it wasn’t met…there was more than hell to pay. Myromantic standards were feeding my ego whether they were met or unmet. I experienced some very hard lessons (and continue to do so) that formed the decision that my ego and my heart could not share the same space.”For her, it was not romance, but kinship and friendship that madetheir marriage work. "It was the deciding factor to transform my unionto @willsmith from a marriage (contaminated with all the above) to alife partnership led by and steeped in 'devotional friendship,'" sheended the caption. "The only thing to do in life is to find the formof love where we can give the best of ourselves AND...it’s not alwaysgoing to look like you thought."

Jada Pinkett Smith Shares Why She and Will Smith Don’t Celebrate Their Wedding Anniversary Anymore
Marriage

Jada Pinkett Smith Shares Why She and Will Smith Don’t Celebrate Their Wedding Anniversary Anymore

Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith got married on New Years Eve (many years ago!) and one would think that would be an amazing night to celebrate their anniversary each year – but it turns out they actually don’t!On a recent episode of Red Table Talk, Jada PinkettSmith addressed the topic of wedding anniversaries and she shared why her andWill no longer celebrate theirs. It comes down to the fact that it IS on NewYears Eve, and they have different ideas of how they like to spend the start ofa new year."Usually, Will on New Year’s likes to be in an adventure in the world somewhere. There’s no telling where he’s gonna be. I don’t wanna be out in the world. He now has the freedom [to] go and have an awesome adventure of some kind."RELATED: Why Will and Jada Will Never Divorce - and What Their Commitment Can Teach UsHowever, Jada prefers to stay in on NYE, and relax. "It's more a life partnership, so it's not steeped in that day. We don’t really celebrate that day anymore in that sense, because the context of our union is totally different."Will and Jada are one of our favorite couples because they are so comfortable in their lives together they are also able to nurture their lives as individuals. It's so powerful a statement and it's something inspirational we can all learn from!RELATED READING:3 Life-Changing Books That Inspired Will Smith to SucceedWill Smith Reveals the "Most Poisonous" Aspect of Marriage

Family

Here's All the Times Will Smith and His Family Made 2018 a Little Brighter Thanks to the Power of Social Media

We love Will Smith and his amazing family for many reasons, from how funny and entertaining they can be, to how inspiring and motivational they can also be. Recently Buzzfeed broke down a bunch of times this year that the family made the year even better, and here’s some moments we found uniquely inspiring! When Will and Ellen recreated the Fresh Prince! That adorably relatable time that Will celebrated after the Super Bowl! When Will poked fun at himself filming action sequences When Will did a parody of his son’s “Icon” video as a way of congratulating him on the huge streaming success Jada, Willow, and Adrienne’s amazing Facebook real-talk video series, Red Table Talk... When Will worked at Boots (why, again?) for a day and showed us he could be just like us Will’s #InMyFeelings challenge! That time Will amazed us by jumping out of a helicopter and streamed it on Youtube! Will and Jada have an inspirational marriage, and part of the beauty is that they never take themselves TOO seriously. Like this time he made fun of her outfit! When Will showed he is not too cool to learn a new thing, like salsa lessons with Marc Anthony! When Will showed us the REAL story behind The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air