Actor Will Smith spoke about the criticism his son, Jaden Smith, received for the 2013 film “After Earth” which led him to feel ‘betrayed’ by his father.
Will Smith reveals ‘heartbreaking’ moment when son Jaden asked for emancipation at age 15
The “King Richard” actor got candid about parenting and the struggles he faces with his family in his upcoming memoir, “Will.”
In an excerpt obtained by People, Smith reminisced about his youngest son, Jaden Smith, who faced media scrutiny after the pair’s 2013 film “After Earth” flopped at the box office.
“‘After Earth’ was an abysmal box office and critical failure,” Smith, 53, wrote. “And the worst part was that Jaden took the hit. The fans and press were absolutely vicious; they said and printed things about Jaden that I refuse to repeat.
Jaden had faithfully done everything I had instructed him to do, and I had coached him in the worst public attack he had ever experienced.”
Will Smith noted that he believed Jaden felt “betrayed” afterwards, People reported.
“He felt cheated and lost confidence in my leadership,” Smith wrote.
Smith added that Jaden asked about his emancipation when he was a minor at age 15.
“At 15, when Jaden asked me about being an emancipated minor, my heart shattered. He ultimately decided not to do it, but it sucks to feel like you’ve hurt your kids,” Smith wrote, according to People.
Reps for Will Smith and Jaden Smith did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Smith and Jaden have worked together on other projects, including their roles in the 2006 film “The Pursuit of Happyness.”
