This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Willow Smith grew up with two incredibly famous parents, and with that spotlight came an early exposure to difficult issues that led to important lessons. While Jada Pinkett Smith is a widely known and well respected woman in the entertainment industry, Willow recently opened up about the racism and sexism she witnessed her mother experience from a young age, and the profound impact that had on her growing up.
In a new interview for L'Officiel, Willow spoke about her childhood and how the experiences she witnessed her mother undergo formed her into the person she is today. Pinkett Smith rose to fame in 2002 as the lead singer of the band Wicked Wisdom, and was the recipient of an array of racism and sexism over the years. Willow shared, “My mom got so much hate. It was intense racism and sexism, just packed on to the tens. People giving her death threats, throwing glass at her onstage. Some crazy stuff went down when she was touring with her band."
Willow continued, “I got to see that hate firsthand. It was so scary to me, and I think I internalized a little bit." However, the 20-year-old singer also shared that it was how her mother handled the hate that helped her to grow. “Every time I feel that coming on, I just go back to my memories of my mom and how she would deal with actual physical danger—she just rose above it," she said. "Obviously, she was scared. But she really showed me what 'womaning up' really was, by taking a stance and not being afraid of other people's judgments and perceptions."
Smith also recounted the early days of her career, admitting that while looking back she wasn’t thrilled about her “Whip My Hair” days, she recognizes it gave her the platform and career she has now. “I'm not saying anything that's against my values, and on top of that, I'm saying things that are in harmony with my values," she said. "I kind of just had a huge aha and was like, ‘Yo, don't condemn this side of your life because it gave you a foundation and a platform and a fan base of so many loving individuals who have been by my side through this whole crazy, topsy-turvy journey that I've had. Now, I would never take it back.'"
