Jaden Smith is arguably among the most successful nepo babies in Hollywood. In that regard, he experienced a significant degree of success when he was still a kid.

His first film role — playing the son of his dad’s character in “The Pursuit of Happyness” — begat others, including a starring role opposite Jackie Chan in the 2010 reboot of “The Karate Kid.”

As he grew older, he established a successful career as a rapper along with other ventures including his own fashion collective, MSFTSrep.

Yet amidst all that success has come controversy and sadness. To find out more about that side of his life, read on for an exploration of the tragic story of Jaden Smith

Will and Jaden starred together in 2013’s box office dud After Earth, and writing in his self-titled memoir, released in 2022, Will revealed how Jaden felt “betrayed” by his father’s advice because it was Will who had “coached” his son only for the teen to be hit with “vicious” critiques and reviews.

“After Earth was an abysmal box office and critical failure, and what was worse was that Jaden took the hit.

Fans and the press were absolutely vicious; they said and printed things about Jaden that I refuse to repeat.

Jaden had faithfully done everything that I’d instructed him to do, and I had coached him,” Will wrote.

“We never discussed it, but I know he felt betrayed. He felt misled, and he lost his trust in my leadership.

At fifteen years old, when Jaden asked about being an emancipated minor, my heart shattered. He ultimately decided against it, but it sucks to feel like you’ve hurt your kids.”