What the -- is that Willow Smith with a pierced tongue? Will Smith's "Whip My Hair"-singing daughter posted a photo of herself and a friend sporting some seriously grown-up hardware on their mouths via Twitter the other day. And then Twitter blew up with disapproving parents (and the usual array of childless people who disapprove of pretty much all parents no matter what).
Willow is just 11 years old, so it got people asking if a tween is old enough for that kind of piercing. Pierced ears are one thing. I got my ears pierced as a baby -- as per Mexican tradition. But your tongue? That's kind of a rebellious look. Not to mention, it's going to interfere with saying "yes ma'am" and "no sir" to your parents, isn't it?
But hold on! Are those piercings even real?
Eh, probably not. "Sources" say it's just magnet jewelry. And it probably is. But still -- what do we think about this look for kids -- too grown-up? Why is it creepy to pierce your tongue but not your ears? Are Jada and Will all right with this? And does this look still make you nervous even if you know it's just magnets?
Personally I think it's all right for Willow to play around with different looks, especially if it's just with magnets. Real piercing would worry me because of the risk of infection. But Willow and her friend are just goofing for the camera. I would still give my kid my opinion and make them aware of how people might interpret that look, though.
When Willow cut her hair, her parents supported that decision because they believe it's important for Willow to be in control of her body. Will Smith said in an interview, "She is used to making those decisions herself. We try to keep giving them those decisions until they can hold the full weight of their lives." I like that approach. Willow may not always make choices her parents like, but I think giving her chances to make certain decisions about her appearance will make her a stronger woman in the long run.
What do you think of Willow's pierced tongue look?
Image via @officialwillow/Instagram
Kim and Kanye's Baby Name Predictions!
Moms Love Birthday Parties, Too!
Father Knows Best - Happy Father's Day!
Are Cheaters Entitled to Privacy? - A...
Comments 16
oh they're just kids.. piercings can be taken out.. Seriously I'd be more worried about her swallowing those magnets than anything else. AND.. she's not my kid.. it's not for me to say what's appropriate and what's not when it comes to piercings or haircuts.. Jeebus.
Yeah, the association of tongue-wear with sex — on a very young minor child — is what the problem is. Who cares if it's magnet or real. It's the messed up message it sends out.
What parent says they believe an 11 yr old should be in control of their own bodies? That seems just to weird to me. Would they say the same thing if she wanted to have sex? If she wanted a tattoo? If she thought it was a good ideal to lather her body up with cooking oil and sit out in the hot sun all day? I really find that an odd thing to say.
11 is too young for a tounge piercing for many reasons, and I'm pretty sure it's illigal everywhere there are laws and regulations in place for body piercings. (I'm a professional piercer) The tounge especially is not a piercing you want done by an non-professional. That said, I think this is more Will and Jada Smith's problem, than anything.
those mouth rings can crack teeth. They aren't really safe for a kid to have.
That is Gross!! She is too young and yeah she does look like a little boy!
It's magnetic jewelry. I remember coming home from the mall when I was 12 with a "lip ring" and my mom freaking out. I think it's something that kids just do.