Willow Smith has shared her thoughts on being called a ‘nepo baby’.
The discussion about nepotism in the entertainment industry has been ongoing for years.
In 2022, New York Magazine sparked debate by featuring celebrities with famous parents on a cover.
The magazine used a graphic showing A-list stars as babies.
Celebrities like Dakota Johnson, Zoë Kravitz, and Lily-Rose Depp were among those featured.
Now, Willow Smith, daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, has spoken out against the term.
A ‘nepo baby’ refers to someone who benefits from family connections in their career.
The term comes from ‘nepotism’, which means favoring relatives for opportunities.
Many believe nepo babies have an easier path to success.
However, Willow disagrees and says she doesn’t see herself as fitting that label.
Her comments have sparked reactions online.
One person wrote, “Being rich and connected makes success easier.”
Another added, “She should just admit that her parents helped.”
A third commented, “Even a little push helps. Just be grateful.”
Despite the debate, Willow has built a strong music career.
Her 2010 song ‘Whip My Hair’ reached No. 11 on Billboard.
Her 2015 track ‘Wait A Minute!’ also became popular on TikTok.
Speaking to Interview Magazine, Willow shared what she has learned over the years.
“I’ve learned to trust myself and not doubt my instincts.”
She also spoke about feeling pressure to live up to her parents’ success.
Talking to Zane Lowe on Apple Music, she said:
“I wanted to honor what my parents built and continue that legacy.”
Willow also opened up about feeling insecure about her success.
“People think I only made it because of my parents. That pushed me to work harder.”
However, she added, “Now, I don’t need to prove anything to anyone.”
She also believes ‘nepo baby’ doesn’t apply to Black women.
“Even with privilege, I’m still Black in America.”
She recalled experiences where she was treated differently despite her success.
“People still see my skin color before anything else.”
Despite challenges, Willow embraces her identity.