Willow Smith, daughter of Hollywood stars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, wants to make one thing clear—she does not want to be called a “nepo baby.”
The term refers to celebrities who get opportunities because of their famous parents, but Willow wants to set the record straight.
She grew up in the spotlight but stepped out on her own at just nine years old. In 2010, she released her debut single, Whip My Hair, proving that she had her own path in the industry.
The song, known for its catchy hook and self-expression message, became popular across different age groups. It brought Willow a lot of attention and even led her to tour internationally with Justin Bieber.
But for a young child, that level of fame was overwhelming.
“There was a time when it felt really dark,” she told Allure in a May 2024 interview.
To cope, she shaved her head.
She explained that hair carries energy and emotions from different life experiences. Cutting it off felt like a fresh start.
At one point, she regretted calling Whip My Hair an “embarrassment.” But over time, her perspective changed.
“There were fun things about it,” she told Billboard News. “At first, I focused on the things that hurt me, but now I see that my message has stayed the same.”
She added, “The song was always about being yourself and not worrying about others’ opinions. That’s still what I believe.”
While she started with pop music, Willow didn’t stay in that lane.
She moved toward alternative and experimental sounds, choosing to explore different styles instead of following mainstream trends.
“I’ve tried to walk away from music,” she said. “But it keeps pulling me back. That’s when you know something truly matters to you.”
In May 2024, she released her sixth album, Empathogen, blending jazz, Indian raga, and Gregorian chant.
Despite her well-known last name, Willow has worked hard to prove herself.
“I know people think my success is only because of my parents,” she said. “That pushed me to work harder. But now, I don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”