Shane Dawson Faces Renewed Outcry as Inappropriate Willow Smith Video Resurfaces, Jada Pinkett Smith Declares ‘Done With Excuses’

The YouTube landscape was once again rocked by controversy when, just a day after Shane Dawson released a lengthy apology video addressing his past use of blackface and other offensive content, an even more disturbing clip of the influencer resurfaced. This video, dating back to 2010, depicted Dawson engaging in highly inappropriate behavior directed at then 11-year-old Willow Smith. The incident swiftly reignited public outrage and drew immediate, forceful condemnation from Willow’s mother, Jada Pinkett Smith, and her brother, Jaden Smith, further complicating Dawson’s efforts to rehabilitate his public image.

The Resurfaced Video: A Decade-Old Controversy Ignites New Fury

The clip that propelled Shane Dawson back into the spotlight on Saturday, June 27, 2020, was a segment from a decade earlier that many viewers found deeply unsettling. In the video, Dawson, then 31, is seen gazing at a poster of a young Willow Smith – who was merely 11 years old at the time – while mockingly singing along to her hit song “Whip My Hair.” What made the video particularly egregious was Dawson’s performance, where he mimicked masturbating while looking at the child star’s image. This act, perceived by many as the sexualization of a minor, was quickly deemed unacceptable and disturbing, especially given the context of Dawson’s recent public reckoning.

The timing of the video’s re-emergence could not have been worse for Dawson. His Friday apology had been a calculated attempt to address a multitude of past misdeeds, including racist caricatures and the use of racial slurs, that had attracted significant criticism. The resurfacing of the Willow Smith video immediately undermined the sincerity of his apology, painting a picture of a creator whose problematic past was far more extensive and multifaceted than even his own “confession” had suggested.

The Smith Family’s Swift and Powerful Response

The Smith family, known for their outspokenness and commitment to social justice, wasted no time in responding to the offensive video. Their reactions, disseminated via Twitter, conveyed a clear message of anger, disgust, and a firm refusal to accept further excuses from Shane Dawson.

Jada Pinkett Smith: “I’m Done With the Excuses”

To Shane Dawson … I’m done with the excuses.

— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) June 27, 2020

A prominent voice throughout the Black Lives Matter movement and host of the widely acclaimed Red Table Talk, Jada Pinkett Smith’s response was concise yet unequivocally powerful. Her tweet, stating “To Shane Dawson … I’m done with the excuses,” resonated deeply with many. This statement wasn’t just a reaction to this specific video; it encapsulated a broader societal fatigue with apologies that lack genuine understanding or demonstrable change. For Jada, who consistently advocates for accountability and self-reflection, Dawson’s repeated patterns of offensive behavior, followed by apologies, had evidently reached a breaking point.

Jaden Smith’s Outraged Condemnation

https://twitter.com/jaden/status/1276988488785657857

Willow’s older brother, Jaden Smith, expressed his profound anger and disgust in a series of highly charged tweets. His messages left no ambiguity about his feelings towards Dawson’s actions, particularly the sexualization of his then 11-year-old sister.

Jaden wrote, in all caps, “SHANE DAWSON I AM DISGUSTED BY YOU. YOU SEXUALIZING AN 11 YEAR OLD GIRL WHO HAPPENS TO BE MY SISTER!!!!!! IS THE FURTHEST THING FROM FUNNY AND NOT OKAY IN THE SLIGHTEST BIT.” He further emphasized his emotional distress by tweeting, “IM SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS,” punctuated with several cursing emojis, conveying the raw hurt and outrage of a protective sibling.

Beyond the immediate offense, Jaden also drew attention to Shane Dawson’s broader history of problematic content, specifically calling out his past instances of blackface. “This Man Was Also Doing Black Face On The Regular,” Jaden tweeted, underscoring a pattern of insensitivity and disrespect. He then issued a poignant call to action for his generation: “As The Youth We Need To Support Creators Who Support Us And Our Morals. This Is Not Okay.” This statement highlights a growing demand from younger audiences for creators to uphold ethical standards and demonstrate genuine social responsibility.

Tyler Cole’s Support and Warning

It’s bad for him right now

— Jaden (@jaden) June 27, 2020

Willow Smith’s boyfriend,Tyler Cole, 21, also publicly voiced his support for Willow and his disdain for Dawson’s actions. The Anxiety singer posted a stark message, “i’ll knock that white boy out [for real],” demonstrating a protective stance. Jaden Smith quickly acknowledged this sentiment, responding simply, “It’s bad for him right now,” signaling the severe repercussions Dawson was facing and the united front of Willow’s loved ones.

https://twitter.com/jaden/status/1276991250474758144

Shane Dawson’s Apology: Too Little, Too Late?

The resurfacing of the Willow Smith video cast a long shadow over the apology video Shane Dawson had released just the day prior, on June 26. In that lengthy address to his millions of followers, Dawson aimed to confront a history of past controversial content, specifically focusing on his repeated use of blackface and other racially insensitive portrayals.

In his apology, Dawson stated, “Blackface was something that I did…there’s literally no excuse. I made a video six years ago talking about it, and I gave excuses and I knew it was wrong and I knew I would never want to do it again, but I didn’t do the work. I didn’t actually look into the history of it and why it’s so wrong and why people were so upset…I’m so sorry.” He further acknowledged the gravity of his past actions, admitting, “I’m sorry that I added to the normalization of blackface or the normalization of saying the n-word.”

Dawson attempted to explain his past ignorance and the gravity of his offenses, saying, “No it’s not okay. And it’s not a funny word especially for a white person to say. Me as a white person wearing a wig and playing a character and doing stereotypes and saying the n-word is probably what I should have probably lost my career for, at the time. And there’s no amount of apologizing that can take it away.”

While this apology sought to address his racist past, the subsequent re-emergence of the Willow Smith video immediately created a crisis of credibility. Many questioned the sincerity of his self-reflection, arguing that if he truly understood the impact of his past offensive content, such a deeply inappropriate video involving a child would have been among the first issues he would have confronted or disavowed. The incident highlighted a perceived disconnect between his words and the breadth of his problematic content.

The Broader Implications: Accountability in the Digital Age

Shane Dawson’s escalating controversies sparked a significant debate about accountability, the permanence of online content, and the evolving standards for digital creators. In an era where “cancel culture” is a frequent topic of discussion, Dawson’s situation became a prime example of how past actions, even those from a decade ago, can come back to haunt public figures, especially when their apologies are seen as incomplete or insincere.

The incident also brought renewed attention to the serious issue of the sexualization of minors in media, regardless of comedic intent. The discomfort and outrage expressed by the Smith family underscore the lasting harm such content can inflict, not only on the individuals targeted but also on wider societal norms. As platforms like YouTube continue to mature, the responsibility of creators to produce content that is ethical, respectful, and free from harmful elements, particularly those involving children, has become paramount. This saga serves as a stark reminder that while the internet never forgets, true growth and accountability require more than just apologies; they demand a demonstrated commitment to understanding, empathy, and genuine change.

The incident also forced a re-evaluation of how audiences engage with and empower creators. Jaden Smith’s call to “Support Creators Who Support Us And Our Morals” resonated with a generation increasingly demanding that their online idols embody positive values. For Shane Dawson, the immediate fallout included widespread condemnation, loss of subscribers, and calls from various quarters for platforms to take decisive action against creators with a history of such egregious content. The path forward for Dawson remained uncertain, shadowed by a history that continued to resurface despite his attempts to apologize and move on.