Son and daughter of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, who’ve been married since 1997, the 26 and 24-year-olds joined their Oscar-winning father in his movies The Pursuit of Happyness and I Am Legend prior to carving out their own respective careers in the music business.
Although they command instant recognition across the globe, the names given to this brother and sister pairing (they also have a step-brother named Trey) have caused much speculation over the years.
In 2022 though, social media users were gobsmacked to learn that the Smith juniors purposefully received these names from their parents.
“Will Smith = Willow Smith. Jada Smith = Jaden Smith. How have I never realised?” read one of the tweets.
Somebody else went on to write: “I feel so dumb for just realizing that Willow and Jaden Smith’s names are just variations of their parent’s names.”
Equally struck by this revelation was a third individual, who added: “I was today years old when I realized Jaden and Willow Smith’s names are just their parents names in different forms???? Goodbye.”
Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Willow Smith, and Jaden Smith at a premiere. (Alamy)
Despite their glorious work in projects like Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Men in Black, King Richard, and The Nutty Professor, the Smiths are more renowned these days for the Oscars slap controversy of 2022.
Having cracked a joke at the expense of Jada – linking her alopecia to GI Jane for comedic purposes – ceremonial host Chris Rock was approached by her husband on stage before being smacked across the face infront of the whose who of Hollywood.
Amid the subsequent backlash, Jaden simply tweeted: ‘And That’s How We Do It,’ while his little sister took her time in addressing the matter.
“I see my whole family as being human, and I love and accept them for all their humanness,” Willow eventually said. “Because of the position that we’re in, our humanness sometimes isn’t accepted, and we’re expected to act in a way that isn’t conducive to a healthy human life and isn’t conducive to being honest.”
Will himself (whose real name may shock you) penned a statement in the immediate aftermath, which read: “My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable.
“The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home.”
Chris Rock reacts to Will Smith’s slap. (Alamy)
The 56-year-old also spoke of people potentially being put off his movies by this act of violence.
“I completely understand that, if someone is not ready [to watch one],” he said.
“I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready.”
