Author Terry McMillan (How Stella Got Her Grove Back) has ruffled some Twitter feathers with a tweet rant criticizing the parenting skills of Hollywood parents, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, even declaring they were “pimping” their children Willow and Jaden.
Terry McMillan’s tweets:
“The Smith children already act like child stars. There’s an arrogance in their demeanor and behavior. I find it incredibly sad. It feels like the Smith children are being pimped and exploited. Or, they’re already hungry for fame. What about 4th grade?
A lot of A-list movie stars shield their children from the Hollywood-world until they were old enough to decide. Look at those who didn’t.
Look at Lindsay. Phoenix. To name but a few. They miss out on childhood. It’s more important than fame.
Willow Smith Spread in February’s Vanity Fair
Okay. I’ve said enough about the Smith children. I’m not debating about them. It’s just my opinion. People can justify anything, though.
In 4th grade my son came home complaining that the kids in his school said I was famous and rich. I told him that was not true.
That some of my books were popular but not everybody liked them. That we could afford a vacation. “Oh” he said, and went back & repeated it.
I wanted him to think of me as his mother. He didn’t read any of my novels until he was 15. He only read 26 pages. Was bored.
Have a wonderful Wednesday everybody. I raised my son. I’m not wasting another minute worrying about how Will & Jada are raising their kids.
P.S. I loved the Karate Kid. I am not getting started on the lack of diversity in film this afternoon. The Smith children was enough discourse for one day.”
There was a huge backlash in response to this so an apology was soon tweeted.
“I apologize for using the word pimp and exploit in referring to the Smith children. It was insensitive of me and wrong.
Twitter is not the best forum to express some things. I didn’t know folks would take my opinion so personally.”
What do you think? Is McMillan right? And whether she is or not, did she use her “outside” voice in the wrong forum?
I think people need to look at the parents in Terry McMillan’s examples. For the most part, the Smiths stay out of the spotlight and tabloids, while those exploiting their fame or the fame of their children are often pursuing the spotlight. The Smith’s have been very vocal about supporting the vision of their children in a protective and guiding way.
I don’t think there is a comparison here. The parents of child stars such as Lindsey behave in very different ways. You can bet that has an effect on a child that naturally models behavior and values. You may or may not like the Smith family or their children, but their agenda is obviously different when you shift your attention to the behavior of their parents and how they have been living their lives.