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Why genderqueer and LGBTQ+ fashion icon Jaden Smith is fighting for the right to self-expression for his generation

Jaden Smith has proudly established himself as a genderqueer fashion icon. Photo: Instagram @c.syresmith

Hollywood’s child stars are often overshadowed by their famous parents. However, a handful of trailblazers are finding fame themselves. Jaden Smith, son of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, is known to challenge gender norms, mixing masculine-feminine aesthetics. By fighting for self-expression for his generation and the next, Jaden has become an LGBTQ+ icon.

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He challenges gender norms

 

Back in 2016, 17-year-old Jaden Smith appeared in a pleated skirt, crochet top and a cool leather jacket for Louis Vuitton’s Series 4 womenswear campaign. The campaign drew attention from haters and fans alike, but in the end Jaden was praised for his daring choice to break archaic gender norms.

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He created a non-binary fashion line

 

After appearing at numerous events in men and women’s clothing (and looking awesome in both), Jaden launched his own gender-fluid clothing line, MSFTSrep, in 2016. He told Variety that “[MSFTS is for] the girl that wants to be a tomboy or the boy that wants to wear a skirt, and people try to condemn.”

He is a genderqueer fashion icon

 

Whether he is rocking a skirt the entire 2016 or heels for the 2017 Met Gala, Jaden Smith has cemented himself as a genderqueer fashion icon. Despite internet backlashes, Jaden has always held his head high and stayed true to what he believes. The rapper-singer told Nylon magazine, “You just have to believe in yourself, you know. The world is going to keep bashing me for whatever I do and I'm going to keep not caring.”

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He adds that he’s doing it, not only because he likes it, but also to normalise it for the next generation. “I'm taking the brunt of it so that later on, my kids and the next generations of kids will all think that certain things are normal that weren't expected before my time.”

He wore a dress to the prom

Jaden Smith made news when he attended actress Amandla Stenberg’s high school prom wearing a black tuxedo with a white skirt under a long black tunic. He topped off his chic look with black pants, sneakers and a pair of fingerless white gloves.

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He represents the LGBTQ+ community on screen

 

Starring in Netflix’s and Baz Luhrmann-created show, The Get Down, Jaden starred as Marcus Kipling: a teenage artist discovering life amid the emergence of hip-hop and disco in the 70s. In one scene, his character locked eyes with another man on the dance floor and they shared a brief, but romantic moment on screen.

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He announced he had a boyfriend on stage

In 2018, Jaden Smith claimed that the American singer-rapper, Tyler, the Creator, was his boyfriend. Appearing in front of an audience at Tyler's Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival in Los Angeles, Jaden said, “Tyler doesn’t want to say, but Tyler’s my mother f***** boyfriend, and he’s been my boyfriend my whole f**** life.”

The 21-year-old artist appeared on Apple Music’s Beats 1 Radio later to confirm that the two were dating. “I recently said that Tyler, The Creator is my boyfriend and that’s true.”

If you are having suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who is, help is available. For Hong Kong, dial +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the US, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on +1 800 273 8255. For a list of other nations’ helplines, see this page.

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From sporting a skirt in a gorgeous fashion campaign to launching a gender-fluid clothing line, Jaden Smith insists on setting his own path