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Who Is Willow Smith?
Willow Smith is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and talk show host who has spent much of her life in the public eye. As the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, she gained early attention for her acting and music. In 2010, she rose to fame with her hit single “Whip My Hair”. However, the pressures of stardom prompted her to take a step back from the spotlight. Reemerging as WILLOW, she embraced her passion for rock music, releasing the acclaimed album Lately I Feel Everything in 2021, a project that connects her to the Black community’s contributions to the genre. Smith is also a co-host of the popular talk show Red Table Talk, alongside her mother and grandmother.
Early Life and Family
Willow Camille Reign Smith was born on October 31, 2000, in Los Angeles, California. She is the youngest child of Hollywood stars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Her siblings include Jaden Smith, a fellow musician and actor, and Trey Smith, her older half-brother. Growing up in a high-profile family meant Smith was constantly in the public eye.
Early Acting and Music Career
Smith began her acting career at a young age, starring alongside her father in I Am Legend (2007). She followed this with roles in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008) and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008), where she voiced a character alongside her mother. She also appeared on the television series True Jackson, VP and lent her voice to animated projects like Neo Yokio and Adventure Time.
At just 9 years old, Smith released her debut single, “Whip My Hair”, which became a platinum-certified hit, reaching No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her early success led her to sign with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2010. Despite releasing follow-up tracks like “21st Century Girl”, none achieved the same level of popularity as her breakout single. The pressures of fame and the demanding lifestyle began to take a toll on Smith, culminating in her shaving her head in 2012 as a form of protest during the Whip My Hair tour.
Smith also opted out of playing the lead role in her father’s planned film adaptation of Annie. During this period, she struggled with emotional challenges, including self-harm, as a way to cope. Reflecting on this time, she admitted to her mother in a 2018 episode of Red Table Talk that she had to forgive her parents, particularly her father, for the pressures she experienced. In 2019, she shared with People magazine, “I was super young, and I had a dream, but all I really wanted to do was sing. I didn’t equate that with all the business and the stress that ended up coming with it.”
Musical Evolution
Despite her challenges, Smith continued to pursue music. She released her debut album, Ardipithecus, in 2015, showcasing her experimental style. This was followed by The 1st (2017) and Willow (2019), both of which solidified her place in alternative and indie music. By stepping into rock with Lately I Feel Everything, she redefined her artistic identity, embracing the genre’s roots while bringing her own modern twist.
Today, Willow Smith remains a multifaceted talent, balancing her roles as a musician, artist, and talk show host.
Red Table Talk
Jada Pinkett Smith, her mother Adrienne Banfield-Norris, and her daughter Willow Smith shared a longstanding tradition of candid, intergenerational conversations. In 2013, Pinkett Smith recorded one of these intimate discussions, which laid the foundation for a broader audience. Five years later, the trio launched Red Table Talk on Facebook Watch, bringing their unfiltered dialogue to millions.
The show’s informal setup mirrors the family’s original discussions, fostering a comfortable space for addressing a wide range of topics, including mental health, politics, and sexuality. Notably, in 2021, Willow Smith openly shared her experience of being polyamorous during an episode. High-profile guests such as Salma Hayek, Kevin Hart, Olivia Jade Giannulli, and Jordyn Woods have also joined the conversation.
In recognition of its impactful storytelling, Red Table Talk won a Daytime Emmy in 2021 for Outstanding Informative Talk Show.
Albums: The Anxiety and Lately I Feel Everything
Willow Smith ventured into the indie rock scene with her 2020 album The Anxiety, a collaboration with her partner Tyler Cole. To complement the album, the duo engaged in a performance art piece at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, spending 24 hours in a glass box embodying emotional states associated with anxiety.
Smith’s affinity for rock music, shaped by bands like My Chemical Romance and Blink-182, became more evident in her next album, Lately I Feel Everything (2021). Blending pop-punk with melodic alternative influences, the album represented a creative milestone. “It’s the kind of record I’ve wanted to make since I was 12,” Smith shared, reflecting on her journey from pop and R&B to rock.
Her mother, Jada Pinkett Smith, had previously performed in a nü-metal band, Wicked Wisdom, a venture Willow admired despite the challenges, including death threats Jada faced while touring. Willow cited the COVID-19 lockdown as a pivotal moment that inspired her to overcome personal insecurities and pursue rock music. “Even though Black women still aren’t super accepted in the rock world, times have changed. I hope I can inspire more young women of color to explore this genre,” she said in 2021.
The album’s lead single, “Transparent Soul,” featuring Blink-182’s Travis Barker, entered Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Other collaborators included Avril Lavigne, who joined Smith on the empowering track “Grow.”
Fashion
Willow Smith emerged as a fashion icon during her teenage years, embracing gender-neutral styles and bold sartorial choices. Despite her experimental wardrobe and striking makeup looks, Smith maintains a low-key approach to dressing outside of her professional endeavors. “I never really get dressed up unless it’s for work,” she stated in 2021.
Smith’s distinctive style has made her a sought-after figure in the fashion world. She has fronted campaigns for luxury brands such as Chanel, Cartier, and Mugler, solidifying her position as a trailblazer in modern fashion.