Jaden And Willow Smith Cover September Issue Of ‘Interview’: ‘Older Generations Just Don’t Get Us,’ Will Smith And Jada Pinkett Are Their Inspiration
“When we were old enough to start dressing ourselves, my mom was like, ‘Are you sure you want to go out like that?’ And me and Jaden would be like, ‘You know what? Yes.’ And she’d totally accept it.
“I feel like that’s where most of our confidence comes from.”
Both brother and sister described their parents, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, as their biggest influences in life. Jaden told Interview magazine that he believes that they have allowed them the freedom to become the independent spirits they are today.
“Growing up, all I saw was my parents trying to be the best people they could be, and people coming to them for wisdom, coming to them for guidance, and them not putting themselves on a pedestal, but literally being face-to-face with these people.”
Jaden Smith commented on the use of social media and how some use it to brag about their overly lavish lifestyle, pretending to be happy, but expressed that true happiness doesn’t come from flaunting what you have.
“It’s leading people down a rabbit hole that actually doesn’t exist. So people think like, ‘Yo, once I get this money and these cars and stuff, I’ma be so happy.’ But that’s not true. And I feel like that’s why it’s very important to educate people on different things while you are actually on social media.”
Jaden and Willow both use their social media platforms to promote good causes and change among their generation.
The teen siblings were interviewed for the magazine by close family friend, Pharrell Williams. The magazine shoot, which was shot by Steven Klein, saw Willow and Jaden in matching striking black outfits, at one point bouncing on a trampoline.
.@OfficialWillow and @officialjaden interviewed by @Pharrell for our September cover https://t.co/kfCXvp6BV7 pic.twitter.com/y5s0fHQEba
— Interview Magazine (@InterviewMag) August 30, 2016
Willow expressed her feelings that the older generations just do not understand the younger people. It is quite ironic, considering one of their father, Will Smith’s, hits was titled, “Parents Just Don’t Understand.”
Willow said that this has to do with the older generation not having grown up with the internet.
“It seems like they don’t understand our thought process.
“The way that Generation Y and Z, Millennials — whatever you want to call them — are living their lives completely differently than in the past. The older people just can’t understand this way of life because they did not have so many options and opportunities that younger generations do today.
“I feel like that enters into all types of different areas because there are so many different outlets that life has to offer for us. That goes into technology, into music. That goes into science, into spirituality, into education.”
Pharrell asked both Willow, 15, and Jaden, 18, where they see themselves in 10 years. Willow had a pretty odd response.
“I feel that. I see myself in the mountains somewhere in a tent cooking a squirrel.”
However, strange, perhaps her brother will be joining her as well, as the siblings claim that they are basically twins. Willow and Jaden claim that their close relationship had been created by their parents not forcing them to be together.
Jaden and Willow Smith both have a lot of ideas and visions for the future beyond what we can imagine.
Willow launched her singing career before the age of 10 and last year, was signed to the modeling agency, The Society Management, the same agency that represents Kendall Jenner.
Jaden can be seen in the latest Netflix Original Series The Get Down. He has previously starred in films like After Earth and The Karate Kid.
The Get Down Is Out, Go Watch On Netflix, And Get The Sound Track. (; pic.twitter.com/HsQovZPUbs
— Jaden (@jaden) August 12, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj99DBlXt_s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1FYvrPgfVc
[Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images]