Empire building is the act of attempting to increase the size and scope of an individual or organization's power and influence. According to writer Chris Hogan, children need to know where they come from in their family lineage. They need to feel the security that comes with being a part of something greater than themselves. In today’s me-centered culture, children and young adults also need to know that part of their success comes because previous generations invested in them, made sacrifices for them, and paved the way for them.” The Smith’s have paved the way for the pattern of “family success” but not without harsh critics. For a family that continues to rightfully buzz in the media with basically every move that they've made, it's hard to imagine there was a time when the Smiths were disparaged for their efforts. But nearly six years ago, Will, Jada, and their three children were often labeled as "freaks," weird," and "strange." Back in 2013, the couple began to publicly express the way they were encouraging their kids to be independent free-thinkers, empowering them to reject heteronormative standards. In the following years, critics like New York Post’s Kyle Smith described the actors as the "most horrible parents on Earth," calling their children Willow and Jaden "überentitled, brainless, self-adoring, twaddle-spewing little munchkins."
So, let’s start with the “überentitled, brainless, self-adoring, twaddle-spewing little munchkins."
Willow Smith: A year after launching the popular Facebook Watch web series Red Table Talk, Willow Smith and her mother have pulled in more than 275 million views and a daytime Emmy nomination for their weekly roundtable-style therapy sessions. She is a singer, songwriter, actress and dancer who signed with Jay Z’s record label becoming his youngest signed artist at that time. Whip My Hair peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. Willow Smith announced her third studio album Willow on June 24. The new project is to be released on July 19th, 2019 and was co-produced by herself and Tyler Cole. She has a net worth of $4 million dollars as an 18-year-old.
Jaden Smith: Jaden is probably the most creative and outspoken of the crew. He received major public backlash after asking to be emancipated from his parents at 15. His reputation took another major blow when he decided to wear a skirt to a Louis Vuitton fashion advertorial. However, in April, Jaden Smith performed to a packed crowd at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, delivering one of the fest's most talked about performances with special appearances by his dad and sister. Bigger than any news in music, Jaden provided an answer to thousands of people in Flint, Michigan when the government wouldn’t or couldn’t. The rapper, actor and co-founder of the eco-friendly company JUST Water partnered with a local Flint church to deploy a mobile water treatment systemcalled "The Water Box" which filters out lead and additional contaminants in water. He has a net worth of $8 million dollars as a 21-year-old.
Trey Smith: Trey is a football player turned actor and DJ who performs under the stage name Ace. Trey appeared in his father’s single music video, Just the Two of US, in 1998 and two episodes of TV series, All of Us. Willard has a net worth of $2 million dollars.
If we had to judge the tree by the fruit it bears, it looks as if the Smith’s are on the right course to building a long-lasting legacy despite what the critics thought of their family. Together, they've unarguably become one of Hollywood's most influential families. They have done it all from saving the planet from alien insurgents to robbing banks to providing clean water for a city in crisis: AND WE LOVE THEM FOR IT! Hold please, there is more. In the most recent news from the Smith empire, the power house couple released more acquisitions on Wednesday. They have launched Westbrook Inc., a multimedia venture that will encompass the subsidiary companies already owned by the Smiths, including Overbrook Entertainment and Red Table Talk Enterprises. Westbrook Inc. will also comprise the newly formed Westbrook Studios, Westbrook Media and the merchandising business Good Goods. “We are so excited to announce this new venture and fully immerse ourselves in all areas of the media and entertainment space,” Westbrook Inc. co-founders Will Smith (net worth $300 million) and Jada Pinkett Smith (net worth $50 million) said in a statement. “With our incredible team of family, chosen family, and longtime business partners, Westbrook Inc.’s mission is to spread positive ideas, art, and products that entertain and empower the greatest number of lives, inspiring the next generation of artists to do good in the world.”
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