If there is one thing many women can relate to, it is the struggle of raising kids, maintaining a good marriage (especially in Hollywood) and still pursuing your dreams. But one black woman, regardless of what many critics say, is “holding it down” on all fronts.
Mother, wife, actress and singer (in order of importance) Jada Pinkett-Smith gave a revealing and very candid interview to Uptown Magazine where she talks about the criticisms she faces raising her Hollywood kids, her relationship with mega-star husband Will Smith and approaching 40.
People have criticized that the Smiths are, in essence, “pimping their kids,” but Jada shuts that thought down immediately.
“There are so many other kids you can worry about. My kids? They’re going to be all right. I get why people would criticize. But people need to know that Will and I would never put our children in a situation that would bring them detriment, my kids have no idea how I grew up, Even in knowing my story, they couldn’t know what that means. They have no reality. None,” Jada said.
Reality is something that some childhood stars grapple with, but Jada explains if she could survive her own “urban jungle,” then surely, with her and Will’s guidance, their kids can make it in Hollywood.
“My feeling is, my kids need to have challenges, in a safe way. If I survived everything that I survived in Baltimore and Will survived everything he survived in Philly, these kids surely can survive the Hollywood game,” she explained.
There is one thing for certain and no one can disagree, the Smiths have been able to keep a united front and illustrate what black love and commitment is all about. Jada tells why she and Will have managed to stay strong.
“We create together; we love on each other, we raise our kids together. We are building something together. People think that Will and I don’t spend a lot of time together. Too much time, actually, if you ask me, It’s always nice to have a little time apart. Sometimes you need that,” said Jada.
And would you believe it, this mother is about to turn 40 years old and shows that a woman can age beautifully, gracefully and effortlessly. Jada says as she reaches this milestone, it is about reflection.
“This year I’m going to have a quiet birthday. I’ve gone through a major transition. I lost my father, I lost my father’s mother, and I lost my aunt, all within a matter of 12 months,” she said. “It helped me realize, Jada, you’re going into the next phase in your life. And what old skin I had to shed in order to take on this second half, I did. And that, to me, is the celebration.”
Mother, wife, black and beautiful…we at Lip Service: News with Attitutude salute you.
For the rest of the revealing interview, visit Uptownmagazine.com.
