14 DAY TRIAL // The other day, a photo of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s 13-year-old daughter Willow in bed with a 20-year-old actor named Moises Arias emerged online. There was nothing blatantly wrong with it, but fans of the young singer and celebrity pundits still worried (out loud, on social media) whether Willow wasn’t being properly looked after at her age.
The photo was first posted to Arias’ Instagram account, but was later taken down. As it turns out, it was snapped by his brother, who is a photographer, and is still available on his website, together with another one, also taken on that day.
Also on the website are countless photos of Jaden Smith, Willow’s 15-year-old brother and Arias’ very good friend, and the Jenner sisters Kendall and Kylie, and many other friends from the same group.
Clearly, they’re all used to being photographed at all times, be it when they’re just hanging out and having fun (as seems to be the case with the photo that sparked so much debate), or when they’re having a moment (there are, for instance, several shots of the boys relieving themselves in deserted fields).
This probably explains why Willow’s parents aren’t concerned about the photo that questioned their parenting skills once more. TMZ reports that sources close to the A-list couple claim that they shrugged off the controversy, saying they trust Willow with whatever because she’s “mature” enough to be calling her own shots.
That obviously includes hanging out with her brother’s much older friends, be they shirtless or not. Arias was shirtless in both photos, we should note.
“Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith believe their daughter is ‘very mature’ enough so to make her own decisions, as long as they don't clearly cross the line,” the report says, adding that they consider the photo “innocent fun... an expression of art.”
In interviews on the topic, Jada explained on various occasions that she and Will had adopted a very hands-off parenting style, treating their kids like little adults from a very tender age. For instance, both Willow and Jaden decided that they wanted to be in showbiz, it wasn’t something their parents decided for them.
This made of Willow a pop star at the age of 11 and also made her “retire” for a while shortly after.
According to Jada and Will, children should be allowed to make their own decisions on everything, from what they wear to what they eat and the company they keep, with as little interference from the adults as possible. Otherwise, they could never grow up to be their own persons, the famous couple believes.