When Jaden Smith first declared that Tyler the Creator was his boyfriend, fans began freaking out. At first, fans thought they might have been pranked. But over time, Jaden continued to repeat that Tyler was his boyfriend, although the artist himself never seemed to confirm the rumored relationship.
But it wasn't just that declaration and subsequent hubbub that had fans questioning whether Jaden Smith is actually gay. A few other factors are involved in fans' confusion, too. But some think that there's no way Jaden is gay, for a few specific reasons.
Fans Say Jaden Has Only Dated A Certain 'Type'
To be blunt, fans claim that Jaden Smith's only relationships -- well, confirmed relationships -- have been with "white girls." That's not to say he isn't open to dating anyone else, but the publicized relationships he had with then-teens like Kylie Jenner don't really support his public declaration, fans argue.
If Smith has dated any guys, no one seems to know about it, and most concur that Tyler the Creator was never romantically involved with Jaden. If he was, he seems reluctant to admit it publicly.
Fans Think Jaden Smith Wants To Be Edgy
Thinking about Jaden Smith's overall public image, some fans think that it's less likely the actor is gay and more likely that he's purposely being "edgy."
They point to things like the fact that Jaden modeled for a women's clothing ad, and that he routinely wears dresses and skirts. Though none of those things add up to Jaden being gay, or queer, or anything else, they do suggest he leans toward breaking gender norms and other socially imposed boundaries.
He may have good intentions, but overall, these quirky traits are just confusing to fans who want to know whether Jaden really supports the LGBTQ+ community, or if he's just trying to turn attention toward himself rather than an overall cause.
Some Say Jaden Is Outright Queerbaiting
Some harsher critics say that Jaden is "queerbaiting" and "pandering" to the gay community. While discussing Jaden's penchant for rainbows in both his wardrobe and on his social media, some commenters thought that Jaden was purposely embracing traditionally gay symbols to draw attention to himself.
Further, critics seemed to agree that Jaden only says what he thinks will sway public opinion a specific way. One summarized the issue by concluding "Yeah he seems like the type to just say [he's gay] to seem different and “open-minded” and “evolved.”
Some also suggested his sister Willow is similarly minded; saying and doing things that will form her image around being a poster child for "alternative" communities and lifestyles.
Willow has apparently also claimed that she's bi, and while critics say she's only ever seen with a boyfriend, it's not quite fair to make assumptions based on her behavior or the partners she's seen with in public.
Behind the scenes, no one really knows what Jaden or Willow think, or who they're dating or feel attracted to. Plus, their publicly-appearing partners aren't necessarily an indication of either of their orientations or lifestyle choices -- something critics and fans seem to forget.
Still, critics have plenty of opinions, and they're not wrong in saying that pandering to the queer community is something that could potentially help an artist's career; "it sells," they note.
Not Everyone Thinks Jaden Lied About Being Gay
Some fans do still think that Jaden is gay, mostly because of the symbols he seems to drop every time he releases music, posts to Instagram, or poses for a modeling shoot.
For a lot of people, Jaden's use of flowers, rainbow imagery, and traditionally "feminine" symbols are plenty for them to agree that he is gay, regardless of what happened (or didn't happen) with Tyler the Creator.
It seems like Jaden, for one, is leaving everyone to read between the lines -- because he never officially said "I'm gay" or said he was "coming out," although those two things sort of go against his whole persona of doing what he wants, how he wants.
It all depends on fans' perceptions, from those who think rainbows say it all to those who say Tyler's lack of confirmation of the reported relationship means more.
And there's also the question of Jaden's creative projects; in one music video, he leans in for a kiss (the smooch itself doesn't appear on film, so may not have even happened) with what appears to be another guy. Then, he appeared in a film alongside Cara Delevingne, who played his romantic interest...
The bottom line is that it may not really matter whether Jaden is gay or not, because he continues to break down boundaries and start conversations about gender, self-expression, and other issues -- and maybe getting people talking is all he really wanted to do.