Willow Smith is reflecting on being the child of famous parents and the insecurities that come with being labeled a “nibo baby,” a concept she refuses to embrace for a number of reasons.
The daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow has carved her own path as a musician with an eclectic style. However, she still felt pressure to fight back against the stigma of nepotism, which led to negative thoughts.
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Willow Smith believes she would still be ‘weirdo’ without famous parents
In an interview with Allure, Willow explained that she heard voices telling her that she was a liar and would never be good enough and could only have a career because of her famous family.
Willow, however, understood that “I had made the mistake of internalizing external negativity” and transcended her insecurities. “Even if my parents weren’t who they were, I would still be a weirdo and a crazy thinker,” she added.
Additionally, Willow believes that the stigma of “Baby Nibo” motivated her to work harder, even though she now feels like she has nothing to prove.
Ultimately, Willow Smith rejected accusations of nepotism because being a black woman in America allowed no immunity. She recounted past experiences where people treated her like she didn’t belong here, even though her picture was on the wall. Willow acknowledged her privileged position but added that being black is a unifying factor.
“Being black in America, even with privilege, and I will never deny the privilege that I have, you’re still black,” she explained.
“I love being black,” Willow declares. “People will look at me, [say]’Okay, okay, her parents are this and that, but she’s still like me. Her skin is still brown. We all know that doesn’t exempt you from anything, and it’s a place of connection.
Meanwhile, Willow Smith has had a few days of her own. The 24-year-old singer released her sixth solo studio album “empathogen” on Friday (May 3). Earlier this week, NPR shared Willow’s Tiny Desk concert. please look below.
