‘It’s Awkward’: Jada Pinkett Smith Opens Up About the Lack of Affection Between Her and Her Mom Adrienne Banfield-Norri
Jada Pinkett Smith revealed on the latest episode of " Red Table Talk" on Facebook Watch that her mom, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, "never cuddled with me."
The episode on Wednesday, May 25, was titled “How Destructive Mothers Damage Their Daughters: Could This Be You?” Banfield-Norris admitted.
"Touch was something I lacked in my relationship with my mother and with Jada."
Kelly McDaniel, who joined the two ladies to promote her book "Mother Hunger," also confirmed Pinkett Smith's admission that "cuddles" are not common in her household.
Banfield-Norris continued, "You will very rarely see Jada and I touch, let alone hug. Our family didn't hug, so it's awkward. "We knew we were loved, but it wasn't that nurturing touch."
In contrast, Banfield-Norris was more affectionate towards her grandchildren. "She never cuddled with me," Pinkett Smith continued, looking at her daughter Willow.
Banfield-Norris, affectionately known as Gammy, expressed regret for not having established a closer bond with her daughter, but believes she has made up for it in the way she interacts with her grandchildren.
When I had it with you, then I missed it with Jada," she said while looking at Willow. "It felt so good to be able to have that," she said. "I realized how much I miss her."
In another clip, the "Girls Trip" star says she felt adult stress growing up, which made her see emotions as a sign of weakness. Even so, she described herself as a “terrified little girl.”
"I dealt with a lot of stressful adult stuff at a young age. I couldn't handle the emotions that were coming with it.
It was just a matter of buckling up. There's a terrified little girl underneath those women you see as strong. I am her.
In response to the clip, many fans sympathized with Pinkett Smith, including one Instagram user who wrote: "First I laughed.". Then I realized my parents did the same.
Never told me they loved me or anything else.. It can wreck your intimate relationships. In fact, it did. "I have a difficult time with affection. I don't know why."