The Untold Struggles: Will Smith Reveals the Price of Fame on His Family

Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Willow Smith and Jaden Smith. Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Will Smith discussed the impact of fame on his family during the season 3 finale of Kevin Hart's talk show, Hart to Hart. Airing on Thursday, August 3, the Oscar winner, aged 54, reflected on 2010 as a pivotal year both professionally and as a parent. He highlighted the wide release of his son Jaden Smith's film, The Karate Kid, and his daughter Willow Smith's debut single, "Whip My Hair."

"I have this vision of creating an ideal family, surpassing the shortcomings of my father," said Will, who is married to Jada Pinkett Smith and shares two children, Jaden (25) and Willow (22). "We have discussed it extensively, as my father's behavior was abusive." He further added, "Between 2010 and 2012, I achieved all of my lifelong aspirations."

Despite accomplishing his personal and familial goals, the renowned actor revealed that their newfound fame had not brought happiness to his family. During his conversation with Hart, Will confessed that his daughter was the first to rebel against the spotlight and distance herself from it.

"It was my initial awakening to the fact that success and wealth do not equate to happiness," Will expressed, while also mentioning his 30-year-old son Trey whom he shares with his ex-wife Sheree Zampino. "Until that moment, I genuinely believed that through achieving success, I could attain a home and a family, and ultimately find happiness... I was inadvertently causing harm to those around me, leaving a trail of destruction in my wake."

On her side, Willow has previously opened up about the mental instability she experienced after releasing "Whip My Hair" at the tender age of 9.

"I had recently discontinued my singing lessons and found myself in a state of uncertainty, questioning my identity and purpose," she confided in her mother during a May 2018 episode of Red Table Talk.

In a subsequent episode of the now-defunct Facebook Watch show in December 2018, Willow elaborated on her journey, acknowledging that it took time to come to terms with her parents' handling of her initial foray into the music industry, ultimately reaching a place of forgiveness.

She expressed forgiveness to Jada and her father regarding the incident with "Whip My Hair." Jada, who is 51 years old, received most of the blame because of her father's harsh behavior at times. It took a couple of years for Willow to rebuild trust, as she felt unheard and disregarded. Despite their differences, Willow released five studio albums over the years. Additionally, she showed grace towards her father after his controversial action of slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars in March 2022. This occurred after Rock, who is 58, compared Jada's shaved head, which is due to alopecia, to Demi Moore's character in the movie G.I. Jane.

Willow expressed her unconditional love and acceptance for her entire family, recognizing and embracing their flaws and humanity, in a candid interview with Billboard in August 2022. She spoke in response to her father's public apology for an incident that led to his 10-year ban from the awards ceremony. Acknowledging that their unique position often comes with the pressure to conform to unrealistic expectations, Willow emphasized the importance of authenticity and living a genuinely fulfilling human life.

In the meantime, Jaden took to Twitter shortly after the conclusion of the Oscars broadcast, triumphantly stating, "And That's How We Do It."