Willow Smith Downplays “Nepo Baby” Label, Says She “Works Really Hard” Despite Famous Parents

Willow Smith is Allure’s latest cover star, and in the interview, she addressed those who consider her prosperous music career to be a product of nepotism.

The 23-year-old eclectic artist shared with the pub that she actually doesn’t consider herself a “nepo baby,” despite having famous parents Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Speaking of how she deals with outside noise critiquing her trajectory to fame, Willow admitted that the term, which is given to famous children because of their lineage, doesn’t fit her case.

“I truly believe that my spirit is a strong spirit and that, even if my parents weren’t who they were, I would still be a weirdo and a crazy thinker,” she said. “I definitely think that a little bit of insecurity has driven me harder because people do think that the only reason I’m successful is because of my parents. That has driven me to work really hard to try to prove them wrong. But nowadays, I don’t need to prove sh*t to anybody.”

Despite having celebrity privilege, the “Meet Me At Our Spot” crooner acknowledged that her skin color overrides everything.

“Being Black in America, even with privilege, which I’m never going to deny that I have, you’re still Black,” she continued. “I love being Black. People would look at me and [say], ‘Okay, well, her parents are this and that, but she still is like me. She still has brown skin.’ And we all know that that doesn’t exempt you from anything, and that’s a place of connection.”

Willow’s cousin Jade also spoke on her idea of nepotism in a recent sit-down with Essence Girls United.

“In terms of nepotism, I feel that term doesn’t even apply to me,” she told the outlet. “Growing up, my life was a lot different, especially for me and my siblings. I always had to put the work in, creating late hours [and] nothing was ever given to me.”

She added, “My family always made it clear that if you want something, you have to go and get it. You have to put in the work and show people that you’re worthy, that this is what you want to do, and be great at it so that nobody denies you. And that was the advice that my auntie Jada had always told me growing up.”

Check out Willow Smith’s sentiments on Nepotism above and read her entire cover with Allure here.

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