Hollywood icon Will Smith is opening up about a parenting experiment that, in hindsight, didn’t go quite as planned. In a refreshingly honest interview on Heart Breakfast with Jamie and Amanda, the Oscar-winning actor shared how the parenting approach he and Jada Pinkett Smith adopted—one rooted in total freedom and radical honesty—ultimately led to unintended consequences.
“We made a very, very, very terrible mistake with our children,” Smith admitted. “We went with radical honesty. But don’t do it—I’m not advocating for it.”
The concept sounded progressive: Willow and Jaden could speak their truth freely, and as long as they were honest, they wouldn’t face punishment. The rule was clear: the only unacceptable behavior was lying.
But over time, the consequences of that freedom became apparent.
“They do whatever they want and then just come tell you,” Smith said with a chuckle. “It’s awful. Don’t try it. You want your kids to lie, definitely. You don’t want to know some of the stuff your kids are thinking of doing.”
From Intentions to Impact: The Reality of Raising Independent Thinkers
Smith and Pinkett Smith, long known for their unconventional parenting style, have often spoken about allowing their children the space to explore identity, creativity, and purpose. And in many ways, the approach produced powerful results. Jaden, now 26, has become a voice in fashion, music, and social impact. Willow, 24, has carved out a genre-defying music career, blending punk, pop, and soul with an unapologetically introspective edge.
Still, Smith acknowledges that giving children total freedom, even with guardrails like honesty, comes with challenges—especially when that freedom exposes parents to truths they may not be ready to handle.
A Moment of Growth—As a Father and Artist
The father of three—also dad to 32-year-old Trey Smith, from his first marriage to Sheree Zampino—is no stranger to public scrutiny or personal evolution. Now 56, Will Smith is stepping into a new chapter, not only reflecting on his past as a parent but also returning to the music scene.
His latest album, Based on a True Story – Season 1: Rave in the Wasteland, marks his first studio release in over 20 years. The lead single, “You Can Make It,” featuring Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir, recently debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart—his first chart-topper since the late ’90s hit “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.”
In many ways, this new season for Smith is about reconnection—creatively and personally. His music carries themes of resilience, vulnerability, and redemption, echoing the introspection he now brings to conversations about parenting.
Parenting Without a Script
As millions of parents navigate the tightrope between discipline and autonomy, Smith’s reflections serve as a reminder that even the most well-intentioned strategies can miss the mark. And that’s okay.
“Parenting, like everything else,” he noted, “doesn’t come with a script.”
For a man who has mastered roles on screen, on stage, and in the studio, Smith’s most honest—and perhaps most enduring—role continues to be that of a father still learning, still evolving, and still trying to do his best.