Ever notice how everyone talks about Jaden and Willow? It’s basically like they’re the only two Smith kids on the planet. But if you actually look at the family tree, there's a whole different story. Before the blockbusters and the Red Table Talk drama, there was Trey.
The oldest son of Will Smith isn't some mystery, but he’s definitely the one who stayed out of the blinding spotlight. Willard Carroll “Trey” Smith III was born way back in 1992. That’s years before Jada entered the picture. His mom is Sheree Zampino, Will’s first wife. Honestly, most people just assume Jaden is the firstborn because he’s everywhere.
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Trey isn’t. He’s lived a much quieter life, though "quiet" is relative when your dad is a global icon.
The Relationship Nobody Knew Was Broken
For a long time, things were pretty rough. You’ve probably seen those old videos of Trey as a kid—the "Just the Two of Us" music video is basically the ultimate father-son tribute. It looks perfect, right? Well, reality was a lot messier. When Will and Sheree divorced in 1995, the connection between Will and his oldest son basically fell apart for a while.
Will has been pretty open about this lately. He admitted that after the split, Trey felt abandoned. It’s that classic, heartbreaking story where a kid feels like he’s being replaced by a new family. While Jaden and Willow were growing up in the public eye, Trey was navigating the aftermath of a "failed" marriage.
They didn't just wake up one day and fix it. It took years. Will actually posted about this a while back, mentioning how they "struggled for years" after the divorce. They had to rebuild from scratch. Now? They’re incredibly close. But it wasn't a Hollywood ending that happened overnight; it was a lot of hard conversations and probably some therapy.
Who is Trey Smith away from the cameras?
So, what does he actually do? He’s not out there trying to win Oscars or top the Billboard 100 every five minutes.
- Music: He DJs under the name AcE. He’s released some tracks, including "Find You Somewhere," which actually featured his siblings.
- Acting: He did a bit of it when he was younger, appearing in All of Us, but it clearly wasn't his passion.
- Sports: Back in high school, he was a massive football star. He even got offered a scholarship to play for Northern Arizona University.
He ended up turning down the football career to pursue music. Can you imagine the pressure of that choice? Being the son of the "Fresh Prince" and deciding to go your own way is a massive move.
The "Blended Family" dynamic is actually real
We see a lot of fake "we’re all best friends" vibes in Hollywood. With the Smiths, it actually seems legit. Sheree Zampino and Jada Pinkett Smith are famously close now. They’ve done the work. Trey is often seen at every major family event, from the Oscars to quiet birthdays.
He’s the glue. Being the oldest son of Will Smith means he’s the bridge between the "Before Will" and the "Global Superstar Will." He shares a bond with Jaden and Willow that looks genuinely supportive rather than competitive. They call him their "big bro," and they mean it.
Why his story matters in 2026
In an era where every celebrity kid is a "nepo baby" trying to trend on TikTok, Trey is refreshing. He’s 33 now. He’s grown. He’s handled the "slap" controversy and the intense scrutiny of his family with a level of grace that’s honestly impressive. He doesn't post for clout. He posts because he’s actually hanging out with his dad.
It’s easy to judge the Smith family from the outside. They’re "weird," they’re "over-sharers," they’re whatever. But Trey’s journey shows a more human side to the machine. It’s a story about a kid who lost his way with his dad and found his way back.
What you can learn from Trey’s path
If you’re looking at the oldest son of Will Smith as just another celebrity kid, you’re missing the point. His life is a lesson in boundaries. He chose what parts of fame he wanted and what parts he didn't.
- Reconciliation is possible: Even if a parent-child relationship feels dead for years, it can be salvaged if both sides do the work.
- You don't have to follow the script: Just because your dad is a movie star doesn't mean you have to be one. Turning down a football scholarship to find your own voice is a valid path.
- Privacy is a choice: Even in 2026, you can be part of a famous family and still maintain a private life.
If you want to keep up with what he's doing, his Instagram is usually the best bet, though don't expect daily updates. He’s busy living life, not just filming it.
To get a better sense of the family's evolution, it’s worth watching the older episodes of Red Table Talk where Sheree and Jada sit down together. It contextulizes why Trey is the person he is today—the product of two women who decided to put their son’s well-being over their own ego.
Next time you see a headline about the Smith family, remember there's a third sibling who arguably had the toughest road of them all. And he's doing just fine.