Willow Smith discusses how her parents’ encouragement led her to experiment with her hair, ultimately helping her discover herself.
The daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith tells Allure how changing her hairstyle from a unique color to shaving her head became a form of personal growth.
“My mother allowed me to do this because she believed it was important to be able to express yourself in this way,” Willow Smith shared. “I totally agree with her because it helped me figure out who I am.”
Willow Smith, 23, is openly flouting certain traditional norms while embracing natural elements that more closely resonate with her identity.
“My legs were never shaved. My armpits were always hairy, like I was brown, and my hair was like diapers. That’s why I think I’m in a really interesting position in the world of beauty standards, ” she explains, demonstrating how she both conforms to and rebels against traditional beauty ideals.
During the interview, Willow also reflected on her debut single “Whip My Hair” and its aftermath. While she admits it left her “scarred,” she also admits it was impactful.
“When I see women from all walks of life and different skin colors, who are authentically themselves and see their own beauty, it inspires me,” she said. “I inspire them because I pay attention to them,” the singer explains of the exchange of inspiration between herself and her fans.
Shaving his head in 2012 was a pivotal moment for Willow, marking a major personal transformation.
“All your sadness and happiness and confusion, your hair stays on you forever. When you shave it off, you’re kind of naked. You’re kind of like, you need to be new now,” she further added, sheds light on how this dramatic change allowed her to start over.
