Terry McMillan, author of the almost cultish books, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale, took to Twitter last week to discuss, of all things, in 40 characters or less, Jaden and Willow Smith:
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 shielded 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.
While Mamarazzi agrees with McMillan and quite frankly shudders every time some entertainment channel subjects us to Willow warbling, Whip May Hair, we are not quite sure if A) Twitter is the best vehicle to address such a topic (why Tweet when you can Mamarazzi!) and B) how she could not know that Tweeting against the much beloved Hollywood family was simply setting herself up for a shit-storm of crazy Pinkett Smith devotees to hashtag the hell out of her with #shutuptmcmillanyoucrazyho!
What do you think lovely readers? Are Will and Jada really doing something all that different from the rest of us? Don't most parents foster and help create situations that stimulate their child's interests and play to their strengths?
Or has McMillan hit it on the head... childhood stardom is not for the weak.
While I completely agree with Ms. McMillan, I think the use of the word "pimped" was unnecessary and inflammatory and took what might have been a good point about celebrity children and made it about bad parenting.
I agree with Sheree to a point. Generally "pimping out your kids" is the phrase used to describe those parents who do nothing themselves as far as providing for the themselves, the child, and the rest of the family. *cough*Kate*cough* So the Royal Smiths aren't quite "pimping" them out... however if anyone might keep them from falling into the pits of the typical Hollywood young, it would probably be this family. Time will tell. I do have to agree with the arrogance in their looks on occasion...