SUMMARY
  • Will Smith once kissed Jaden on his lips during the promotional tour of 'After Earth'.
  • The video of Will kissing Jaden got backlash from viewers who saw the son being uncomfortable.
  • Will's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, feels he has a unique way of parenting.

In Hollywood, a happy, healthy family is often portrayed, both on and off the screen. Among these are the Smiths- Will Smith, his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, and their children Willow and Jaden. The family is also known for its close bond, and as Will is known for his openness, he has always shared his love for his family publicly.

Will Smith's family
The Smith family | via Will Smith’s Instagram

But sometimes these public depictions of love can make people uncomfortable. There was one such incident between Will and Jaden, in which fans creeped out and questioned if that was how a father should show affection towards his son.

Will Smith Kissing Jaden Shocked Viewers

Jaden and Will Smith in After Earth
Jaden and Will Smith in After Earth | Credit: Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures

Will and Jaden Smith were on a press tour to promote their science fiction movie After Earth in Thailand in 2013. The interview started typcially like a normal one, but the topic of affection led to an entirely different kind of interview.

The interview was for The Woody Show with Woody Milintachinda, and they first talked about the coldness of their characters in the movie. When asked about whether they are also emotionally distant like their characters, both were quick to dismiss, affirming that they have a very deep relationship.

Jaden was 14 at the time, and he jokingly said that his dad had tried to kiss him in the past. This remark made the host question whether Will had ever kissed his son on Thai television before. What followed immediately shocked everyone who was watching the event.

Suddenly, Will grabbed Jaden’s face as he started resisting yelling, “No, no, no.” Viewers initially assumed that Will was going to give Jaden a light peck on the cheek. But it shocked everyone when he planted a full kiss on Jaden’s lips. 

“This is ridiculous,” Jaden exclaimed while sliding off the couch and wiping his mouth. The video went viral and received critical comments on the internet. In the video shared by HipHollywood YouTube, viewers expressed their discomfort and concern for the forced nature of the kiss.

Not ok… he forced a kiss on his son. It was clear the son didn’t want that kind of contact yuck 🤢 could be considered s*xual assault and child abuse. Wonder has anyone reported this behavior?”

If my dad kissed me on the mouth at that age we would have fought right then and there lmao

Kiss his son is okay. On the mouth is another story…

“He forced his son into doing something he clearly was NOT willing to do, and that was something physical, and intimate especially at his age that was completely wrong.”

No one is ever too old for kisses from their parents.BUT NOT ON THE LIPS.

Despite all these, Will Smith didn’t seem much affected by the backlash at the time. Jaden on the other hand tried to deal with it calmly. However, this was not the only time the father had tried to embarrass his son publicly.

Will Smith Tries to Embarrass Jaden All the Time

Will and Jaden Smith
Will and Jaden Smith | via Will Smith’s Instagram

It seems like the on-air kiss on the lips was a small part of a bigger habit. Will at the After Earth launch party in Cancun gave Jaden another kiss, but this time on the cheek while posing for a picture on the red carpet. According to Hello! Magazine, Jaden appeared mildly embarrassed, but he handled it like a true professional.

During the interview with HipHollywood, Jaden stated that Will tries to embarrass him by kissing him “all the time.” He further said, “After the set, he’ll try to kiss me or any, anywhere else.” Most of the time, Jaden has good-natured reactions, which indicates that his father really enjoys it when he gets on his son’s nerves.

Although Jaden might seem to be uncomfortable at times, Will’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, has applauded her husband’s parenting abilities. She told ESSENCE,

What makes Will the best father in the world to me is that he’s there, not just there in a way that’s traditional. The emotional support he offers his children is immeasurable.

From Jada’s comments, it can be understood that the Smith family appreciates family relationships and embraces physical contact. However, since these displays were public and Jaden seemed visibly uncomfortable, fans wonder where the line is between appropriate and uncomfortable.

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