Jaden Smith walks out mid-interview after Kanye West question

Jaden Smith made an unexpected exit on the red carpet Wednesday night, abruptly walking away from an interview after being asked about Kanye West during the “Coulda Been Love 2” premiere in Los Angeles.

The 27-year-old rapper and fashion creative was speaking with Complex when the conversation turned to his latest collaboration. “I see you’re working with Steven Smith, who designed with Ye,” the reporter said in a video captured at the event. “What are y’all cooking up?”

Instead of responding, Jaden quietly stepped away from the interview. Moments later, the reporter added, “I guess we’ll never find out,” as cameras continued rolling.

The brief but pointed moment quickly circulated online, with fans dissecting the interaction and speculating about what prompted the sudden departure.

A High-Profile Fashion Chapter With Christian Louboutin

Jaden’s red carpet moment arrives during a major shift in his fashion career. In September, he was named Christian Louboutin’s first-ever male creative director, a historic move for the French luxury house. According to WWD, he now oversees four collections annually across footwear, leather goods, and accessories.

© Getty Images for W Magazine

He debuted his first designs during Paris Fashion Week Men’s last month, signaling a serious evolution from celebrity collaborator to industry decision-maker. At the center of the Complex question was his new partnership with renowned sneaker designer Steven Smith. The 60-year-old creative is widely known for his work with Kanye West on the Yeezy brand, a collaboration that reshaped sneaker culture over the past decade before becoming mired in controversy.

© Kevin Mazur

By referencing Smith’s past work with West, the interviewer appeared to connect Jaden’s new project to the Yeezy legacy. Jaden, however, opted not to engage.

A Complicated History With Hip-Hop Heavyweights

Jaden, the only son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, has long moved in high-profile music circles. Earlier in his career, he spoke openly about friendships with artists like Kanye West, Drake, and Donald Glover.

In a 2019 interview with the same outlet, the “SYRE” artist explained that his dynamic with some of those figures shifted once his own music career gained traction. He said he used to feel like the “Little Homie,” which allowed him access to their circles. But as his chart presence grew and he became their peer, that identity no longer fit.

© Getty Images for W Magazine

That shift may offer context to the tension surrounding West’s name. Jaden previously made headlines in October 2022 when he walked out of West’s YZY SZN 9 fashion show in Paris, an event that drew widespread attention and criticism.

While it remains unclear whether Wednesday’s walk-off was connected to past controversies, the moment underscores how carefully Jaden now appears to be curating his associations.

Red Carpet Silence Speaks Loudly

Jaden first gained global recognition as a child actor in “The Pursuit of Happyness,” starring alongside his father. Since then, he has built a multifaceted career spanning music, fashion, and entrepreneurship.

© Backgrid/The Grosby Group

His 2017 album “SYRE” established him as more than a celebrity offspring experimenting with sound. It marked the beginning of an artist intent on defining himself outside of legacy narratives.

That independent streak was on display at the “Coulda Been Love 2” premiere. Rather than entertain speculation or expand on connections to Kanye West, Jaden chose silence.