Jaden Smith is caught in an online photo controversy, with some viewers questioning his appearance and others rushing to defend him.
The 28-year-old son of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith stepped into the spotlight at a close family friend’s wedding earlier this month.
Jaden attended the nuptials with his mom and little sister, Willow Smith. But one photo from the event sparked a wave of critical commentary; one of his closest friends made it clear the negativity wouldn’t go unchecked.
Jaden attended the wedding for Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods, whom he considers family.
Posing alongside the bridesmaids in photos from the Malibu ceremony, Jaden’s involvement was clear, following his earlier attendance at Woods’ bridal shower.
He and Jordyn have known each other since childhood, and their friendship predates her rise to fame.
In fact, Jaden was the one who introduced Jordyn to Kylie Jenner when they were teenagers, sparking what became one of pop culture’s most recognizable celebrity friendships prior to their 2019 fallout and eventual reconciliation.
Consequently, Woods wasted no time stepping in to shut down social media speculation regarding Jaden’s role in her wedding.
Atop a TikTok video, she wrote, “‘Why is Jaden with all of the girls? And at the bridal shower? And helping Karl with his shoes?’”
The video featured images of her and Jaden as kids, adding, “Because he’s never missed an important moment in my life.”
Pour ceux qui ne le savent pas, Jordyn Woods est la nièce de Will Smith, la cousine de Jaden et Willow 😱❤ pic.twitter.com/pAQIkYLt5p
— Kuluna Music (SECONDAIRE) (@KulunaMusic) March 2, 2019
She described Jaden as the “epitome of a day ONE” and joked that she’s now waiting for his wedding day.
“I can’t wait for his wedding one day but until then!!! He’s never missed a birthday, showing up at my dad’s funeral and making us all laugh, to now getting married. I’m so lucky I’ve never had to know a life without our friendship,” Woods penned.
“Jaden is the ORIGINAL bestie!” replied one fan in her comments. Another said, “Awwww I didn’t know they grew up together”
“Cause Will and Her dad were best friends. Jaden and Jordan are very close!” noted a third person.
The bond between the two families runs deep. Jordyn’s father, John Woods, — a television sound engineer and longtime friend of Will Smith — passed away from cancer on January 18, 2017, when Jordyn was just 19 years old.
Beyond standing alongside the bridal party, Jaden took on a special creative role for the big day.
To celebrate his lifelong bond with Jordyn, the designer created a custom pair of Christian Louboutin dress shoes for Towns, ensuring the groom could step up to the altar in style.
“My Best Friend Got Married And I Made Karl Size 20 Red Bottoms. Jordyn I Love You So Much Congratulations Karl I Love You Bro Keep The Swag On High,” Jaden wrote on Instagram.
Christian Louboutin named the former “Icon” rapper its first Men’s Creative Director in 2025, tasked with overseeing collections across footwear, leather goods, and accessories.
Towns’ size-20 feet made the assignment anything but standard, giving Jaden an opportunity to flex his high-fashion credentials on a massive scale. That custom design challenge explains why he was photographed admiring the finished footwear during the festivities.
Woods and Towns tied the knote on Aug. 15 and with a planned honymoon in Turkey. On another fashion tip, the Woods by Jordyn founder launched a bridal line of white shoes and handbags.
From custom Louboutins to standing beside her on one of the biggest days of her life, Jaden once again showed up when it mattered most.
