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Willow Smith pointed out something interesting to mom Jada Pinkett Smith during a recent Red Table Talk session. It turns out that Jada had a much different approach to parenting Willow as compared to Jaden Smith.

Trey Smith, Willow Smith, Jaden Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Will Smith attend the Environmental Media Association 26th Annual EMA Awards
Trey Smith, Willow Smith, Jaden Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Will Smith | Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Environmental Media Association

Willow Smith revealed how Jada Pinkett Smith was harder on her than Jaden

During the Oct. 27 Red Table Talk discussion about why women can be mean to each other, Willow revealed that her mother was harder on her than she was on Jaden.

Willow recalled, for instance, the way Jada would wake them up in the morning for school and she had a much gentler approach with Jaden than she did with Willow. As a result, Willow recalled feeling hurried and frazzled about getting up and out the door, while Jaden was more relaxed because of the way Jada started off his day.

“There is a difference between how Black moms will treat their daughters and their sons,” Willow said. In recalling how they would get up in the morning, she said, “I’d be ready at the door … and he’s getting his shoes on.”

Jada agreed that Willow’s assessment was true and explained why she had a different approach with her daughter.

Jada Pinkett Smith revealed why she parented her children in different ways

Jada addressed Willow’s concerns on the show and agreed that she was right. “She might have a point,” the actor said, adding, “Because I would be like, ‘No, you’ve got to be on it.’”

“We have to work harder,” Jada explained, while Willow said, “We have to work 10 times as hard.”

“But you, you’re mine,’” Jada said to Willow. “Because, for me, I knew that she’s going to have it twice as hard. I needed you to be strong because I know what this world is like for us as Black women.” 

While Willow saw the difference, she did give her mom some credit, explaining, “I do be getting to work on time.”

Jada might have been tougher on her daughter, but she felt it was necessary. “So my fear for having a Black daughter — and what I felt like she needed to be in this world — put me in a position to be a little harder on her and that’s probably how we are with each other.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA3YiWQJKSw
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Jada Pinkett Smith admitted she holds a grudge

When they kicked off the episode, Jada asked Willow and her mother if they had ever been mean girls. For Jada, she admitted she’s not so much mean but definitely holds a grudge if someone does her wrong.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a mean girl, but I’ll tell you what I am and that’s a petty b*tch,” Jada explained.

“I’m a petty b*tch because, here’s the thing … now I might not say some mean things and I might not do some mean things but if you do something to me, baby, let me tell you,” she added. “I’m gonna hold on to it until the moment comes.”