I DON’T FEEL GROWNUP YET: JADEN

Hollywood actor Jaden Smith talks about his transition from a child star to a grownup, his desire to do a Bollywood film, and his new album

Just 19, Jaden Smith is already diversifying his talent by dabbling in multiple spheres. Other than acting in films, he is a rapper and even has his own clothing line. The star kid debuted with his father, Hollywood star Will Smith, in The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), and later did films such as The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008), The Karate Kid (2010), and After Earth (2013), the last one with his father again. At present, Jaden is looking forward to the release of his new album. In an exclusive chat, he speaks about being a child of Hollywood and navigating the many avenues in his career.

Other than acting, you sing and rap as well. What interests you the most?

It depends a lot on what you’re working on and when you’re working on it.

If I was making, say, a Bollywood film, I’d say I like acting better, because that’s something I really want to do. If not, I’d say I like making music better because then I get to go on [musical] tours. I think creativity comes to a person in so many different ways; that’s why it’s important to balance so many things.

Being a star kid, do you take advice from your parents about career decisions?

Yes, I do take career opinions from my parents (Will Smith and actor Jada Pinkett Smith). Not only my parents, but also the people around me that I’ve worked with. I listen to elders, in general, as they’ve been through things that I haven’t and I might [in the future]. So, it all becomes easier for me.

You know it (being a star kid) was very different and I can’t compare it to anything else, because it’s all I have ever known. It is definitely very difficult, but I just want to use this blessing to really make other people’s lives easier and spread light to other people.

How has your transition been from doing roles as a child and roles as a grownup?

The transition has been pretty easy. I don’t feel that I am that much of a grown-up yet, because I am only 19, and I don’t think I’ve taken that big leap yet. Perhaps, by the time I am 23, I will know.

I started acting when I was eight and I just turned 19, so I don’t really know how different it feels. Though I do feel [like] a grown-up because now we work a lot more hours than we used to as a kid.

Your new album is releasing this month. Please tell us about it.

I think creativity comes to a person in so many different ways; that’s why it’s important to balance so many things JADEN SMITH ACTOR

It’s something that people, and especially the young people, around the world can really connect to. It’s about being young and how difficult it can be sometimes, especially when you don’t have people and friends around you to talk about, and people get that.

It’s like a young emotional album; it’s about the young lot of today, so you know I’m really happy about its idea.