Here’s What Will Smith Really Thinks Of Jaden’s Womenswear And “Aunt Viv” Janet Hubert

Iyana Robertson
Updated
Will Smith talks the hot topics in this very candid interview on BBC Radio.

Will Smith sat down with BBC Radio’s 1xtra show for a chat about his role in the film Concussion, the controversy surrounding the Oscars, parenting and his thoughts on former Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air co-star Janet Hubert. Chopping it up with host A. Dot, Smith gave his sincere thoughts on the hot topics, kicking things off with his parenting style, responding to an inquiry about encouraging his children to be free spirits.

“Yeah, I think that may have been a mistake. We may have gone too far,” he said jokingly. “There’s a really powerful internal quality as an artist that as parents we encourage. You gotta get out on the edge. You have to try things, you have to be comfortable doing things that people don’t agree with, and you have to be comfortable doing things you could fail [at].”

Shifting the conversation to Jaden in particular–who most recently modeled in a womenswear campaign for Louis Vuitton–Smith shared his thoughts on his son’s fearlessness.

“Jaden is one hundred percent fearless. He will do anything. As a parent it’s scary, it’s really terrifying. But he is completely willing to live and die by his own artistic decision and he doesn’t concern himself with what people think. To me, it’s so far not about me. it’s not about us going to a show or not. For me, this is a much bigger social issue I’m recognizing a pattern of the narrowing of imagery, the narrowing of tolerance in America.”

Smith also further discussed his take on the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, stating that the conversation extends beyond himself. Referencing the racially-charged events in national news, the actor called for “leadership” in Hollywood after noticing a “regression” in film. He was also asked inadvertently about Hubert, who criticized his and his wife’s stance on the matter, and offered nothing but kind words in response.

“I think that both of the Aunt Vivs were really, really fantastic. I think when you make a show, any time you make a change it’s gonna be excruciating and painful. I think that Janet Hubert went and brought a really powerful dignity to the show. I think she’s brilliant. I think as an artist, there’s so many things that she does. She sings, she dances, she’s like a really powerful artist. I love what she brought to The Fresh Prince.”

Oh yeah, and Bad Boys 3 is definitely happening. Watch Will Smith’s interview with BBC Radio below: