Willow Smith, a musician and actress, has had a decade-long career that began with the release of “Whip My Hair” when she was only nine years old. In a recent interview with Allure, she discussed her journey in the entertainment industry, her upcoming album Empathogens, and her efforts to carve out her own path despite her famous family background.
Willow, the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, addressed the label of “nepo baby”—a term used to describe someone who benefits from their family’s fame or connections. She acknowledged that her last name has provided her with certain opportunities but emphasized that she works hard to establish her own identity and make her own mark. She shared that being part of a high-profile family drove her to work harder, even as she faced criticism that her success was solely due to her parents.
“I truly believe that my spirit is a strong spirit and that, even if my parents weren’t who they were, I would still be a weirdo and a crazy thinker,” Willow said. She acknowledged the insecurity that came with people questioning her achievements, noting that it motivated her to work even harder to prove herself. However, she ultimately reached a point where she felt she no longer needed to justify her success to others.
Despite her family’s fame and privilege, Willow opened up about feeling out of place due to her race. She spoke about experiences where she felt judged or treated differently because of her skin color, even in places where she had previously worked or where her achievements were recognized. At a store, people there assumed she could’t afford things because she’s black.
“Being Black in America, even with privilege, which I’m never going to deny that I have, you’re still Black. And I love being Black,” Willow stated. She also highlighted that despite her family’s influence, her shared experiences with other Black people in America created a sense of connection, as they faced similar challenges.
