Jaden Smith Storms Out of Interview After Ye Mention

The musician abruptly left a red carpet interview when a reporter brought up his past collaborations with the artist formerly known as Kanye West.

Feb. 15, 2026 at 4:23am

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Jaden Smith abruptly walked away from a red carpet interview on Wednesday just seconds after a reporter mentioned the artist formerly known as Kanye West. The Complex journalist was asking about Smith's collaborator Steven Smith, who had previously worked with Ye on his Yeezy footwear line, but Smith left the interview without saying a word.

Why it matters

Jaden Smith and Ye have had a tumultuous history, with Smith frequently citing the Yeezy mogul as a major influence but also distancing himself from Ye in recent years over the rapper's controversial statements and behavior.

The details

Less than a second after the reporter finished her question about Ye, Jaden Smith abruptly walked off, exiting the interview without saying a word. The reporter then looked into the camera and said, "I guess we'll never find out." Smith has a history of both praising Ye as a major influence and also distancing himself from the rapper, particularly after Ye's recent antisemitic comments and erratic behavior.

  • The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 14, 2026 during a red carpet interview.

The players

Jaden Smith

An American musician and actor who has frequently cited Ye as a major influence, though he has also distanced himself from the rapper in recent years.

Ye

The artist formerly known as Kanye West, a rapper and producer who has faced controversy in recent years for his antisemitic comments and erratic behavior.

Jillian Hardeman-Webb

A journalist for Complex who was conducting the red carpet interview with Jaden Smith.

Steven Smith

A designer who has previously collaborated with Ye on his Yeezy footwear line.

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What they’re saying

“I see that you're working with Steven Smith, who designed Yeezy footwear with Ye. What are y'all cooking up?”

— Jillian Hardeman-Webb, Complex journalist

What’s next

Representatives for Jaden Smith and Ye have been contacted for comment on the incident.

The takeaway

Jaden Smith's abrupt exit from the interview highlights the ongoing tension between the musician and Ye, whose controversial statements and behavior have led Smith to distance himself from the rapper in recent years despite previously citing him as a major influence.