Media Moments Willow Smith Can Never Erase

Despite having a difficult introduction to music, Willow Smith eventually returned and, in 2013, she even started a side project. Teaming up with DJ Fabrega to form Melodic Chaotic, she released a catchy but eyebrow-raising single called “Summer Fling.” Smith was 12 at the time, but was singing about going on dates and having a summertime romance, which many found to be inappropriate. Some of the lyrics include, “You tell me that I’m the one / I tell you it’s just for fun” and “Goodnight kiss, ’til the mood is right,” which left many questioning the age appropriateness of the track. Then the music video came out and the criticism grew louder. In the clip, Smith is joined by a cast that appears to be much older and while she and her love interest just hug and hold hands, many were still bothered by it. “Does she even know what a summer fling is?!” asked one critic, per Insider, while another wrote, “There are no age limits in Hollywood apparently.”

And while some defended Smith, arguing there’s nothing explicit about “Summer Fling,” experts weren’t sold. Therapist Dr. Nancy Irwin told Fox News, “12 is a young age to date, moreover have a meaningless ‘fling,’ if indeed she fully understands how most people will interpret this term.” Human behavior expert Patrick Wanis, PhD, agreed, saying, “This is totally inappropriate and not in line with the developmental physical, mental or emotional stages of a 12-year-old girl.”