Stop The Presses!

Crisis Averted – Willow Smith’s Tongue Ring Is Fake

By | Stop The Presses! – Mon, Jun 25, 2012 6:02 PM EDT

photo: InstagramDid Willow Smith really get her tongue pierced? The 11-year-old actress/singer/designer posted a photo of herself showing off what looks to be a medal stud on her tongue. But hold onto your outrage, folks — it isn't real.

The photo inspired a slew of responses on Twitter. Few folks thought the tongue ring was appropriate. One person wrote, "Willow Smith got her tongue pierced at 11 years old. When I was 11, I was making sure my tamagotchi didn't die, not getting piercings." Another wrote, "Willow Smith is 11 and has a tongue ring. WHERE ARE HER PARENTS?" Still one more wrote, "Willow Smith has a tongue ring. Yo...I'm out. Bye. PS: Never having children."

Following the uproar, Willow Smith responded with a post of her own. She updated the Instagram photo with a new caption. It now reads: "It's fake…Sorry." So, there ya go.

We first saw the photo at E! Online. The photo appeared on Instagram, the popular photo-sharing site. Willow appears with another young girl in the photo. Hashtags included: "#fake, #dontjudge, and #justhavingfun."

The "#fake" hashtag was a clue. And Gossip Cop writes that a source told the blog, "It isn't a piercing -- it is a magnet. Just a young girl having fun with accessories."

[Related: Willow Smith talks working with Nicki Minaj]

As E! Online pointed out, Willow's parents have shown that they support their kids making their own decisions. Will Smith told Parade Magasine, "When you have a little girl, it's like how can you teach her that you're in control of her body? If I teach her that I'm in charge of whether or not she can touch her hair, she's going to replace me with some other man when she goes out in the world."

We reached out to Willow's representatives (yes, she has more than one) for a comment, but did not hear back.

News for You

  • Mom: RI theater threw out disabled girl over noise

    NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) — A woman says she and her 5-year-old developmentally disabled daughter were thrown out of a theater during a "Beauty and the Beast" performance because the girl was making giggling and humming noises she makes when she's happy.

  • Deen says she used slur but doesn't tolerate hate

    SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Celebrity cook Paula Deen said while being questioned in a discrimination lawsuit that she has used racial slurs in the past but insisted she and her family do not tolerate prejudice.

  • AP PHOTOS: The career of James Gandolfini

    James Gandolfini, who won three Emmy Awards for his indelible role as mob boss Tony Soprano in HBO's "The Sopranos," died while on vacation in Italy at age 51. While Tony Soprano was a larger-than-life figure, Gandolfini was exceptionally modest and obsessive — he described himself as "a 260-pound Woody Allen." HBO called the actor a "special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle and loving person who treated everyone, no matter their title or position, with equal respect."

  • 'The Voice' Winner: Who Did the Experts Choose?

    By Jethro Nededog LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - NBC's "The Voice" will crown another winner on Tuesday night's finale. Season 4's three finalists - Daniellle Bradbury, Michelle Shamuel and The Swon Brothers - battled it out for the title on Monday's performance finale episode. Before the performances, coaches Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Shakira and Usher performed The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends." The Top 16 then got together for the second group performance of the night on Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros' "Home. ...

  • Cher credits luck for her lengthy career

    UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) — Cher is no stranger to tabloid fodder.

  • Palace sheds some light on Kate's baby plans

    LONDON (AP) — With Prince William and the former Kate Middleton expecting their first child in mid-July — and much of the world interested in the birth of a future monarch — the royals' office has released some of the couple's plans, although many details are still being kept private. Kate has made several public appearances recently but is expected to keep a low profile in the final weeks of her pregnancy. Here is the latest news about the infant who will, upon entering the world, be third in line for the British throne.

Show More