Jaden Smith Walks Off Red Carpet After Kanye West Mention at ‘Coulda Been Love’ Event

Jaden Smith abruptly ended a red carpet interview after a reporter mentioned Kanye West — now known as Ye — during a question about his latest collaboration.

The 27-year-old musician and actor was speaking to Complex journalist Jillian Hardeman-Webb at the screening for season 2 of Coulda Been Love, hosted by comedian Druski. The moment quickly went viral after Smith walked away without answering.

What Happened on the Red Carpet

During the interview, Hardeman-Webb referenced footwear designer Steven Smith, who previously worked with Ye on the Yeezy sneaker line.

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

Less than a second after the question ended, Smith stepped away from the interview and left without responding. After a brief pause, the reporter turned to the camera and said, “I guess we’ll never find out.”

Smith has not publicly commented on why he chose to walk away.

Jaden Smith’s History With Kanye West

Jaden Smith has had a complicated relationship with Kanye West over the years.

Smith previously praised Ye as a major influence on his music career. In 2013, he famously wore a white Batman costume to Ye’s wedding to Kim Kardashian — a look that made headlines at the time.

In a 2015 interview with GQ, Smith said he wore the costume to “heighten” his experience at the wedding and joked that he felt like he needed to protect everyone there.

However, their dynamic appeared to shift in later years.

In 2018, Smith said he no longer spent time with idols like Ye, Donald Glover, and Drake, explaining that he no longer felt like the “little homie” in their circles.

In 2019, Smith was cast to play a young version of Ye in Omniverse, a Showtime anthology series that both were set to executive produce. The project was later scrapped.

The 2022 Paris Fashion Week Walkout

Smith also distanced himself publicly from Ye in 2022.

He attended a Yeezy show during Paris Fashion Week but left after Ye appeared wearing a “White Lives Matter” shirt. In social media posts at the time, Smith said he “had to dip,” adding that he could not stand behind what Ye was saying.

“Black Lives Matter,” he wrote in one post. In another, he added, “I don't care whose it is, if I don’t feel the message, I’m out.”

What Jaden Smith Is Working on Now

Despite the red carpet moment, Smith continues to expand his creative ventures.

In September, he was named creative director at luxury footwear brand Christian Louboutin. He also recently launched a nonprofit organization called I Love You, focused on providing free meals and clothing to unhoused residents in Los Angeles’ Skid Row neighborhood.

Kanye West’s Recent Apology

Meanwhile, Ye recently issued a public apology for his past antisemitic remarks. In a January ad published in The Wall Street Journal, he said he deeply regretted his words and actions.

“I said and did things I deeply regret,” he wrote, adding that his bipolar disorder contributed to his erratic behavior.

The red carpet walkout marks the latest chapter in Smith’s evolving and sometimes tense connection to the controversial rapper. Whether the moment was intentional or simply a boundary being set, it has once again placed both artists in the spotlight.