Willow Smith Explained Why The 'Nepo Baby' Title Doesn't Apply To Her, And I Get It (2024)

Singer and songwriter Willow Smith is joining the conversation about Hollywood nepo babies.

Willow Smith Explained Why The 'Nepo Baby' Title Doesn't Apply To Her, And I Get It (1)

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As you know, Willow was born to actors Will and Jada Pinkett Smith — but she's become a star in her own right, with hits like "Wait a Minute!" and "Meet Me At Our Spot."

Willow Smith Explained Why The 'Nepo Baby' Title Doesn't Apply To Her, And I Get It (2)

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Plus "Emo Girl," "9" with SZA, and the early throwback "Female Energy" (IYKYK!). The point is, she's immensely talented. She slayed an NPR Tiny Desk concert just this week.

In a recent interview with Allure, Willow admitted she's definitely experienced some "insecurity" with being called a nepo baby, but it's also fueled her to "work hard" to escape her mom and dad's shadow.

Willow Smith Explained Why The 'Nepo Baby' Title Doesn't Apply To Her, And I Get It (3)

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“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," Willow said.

Willow Smith Explained Why The 'Nepo Baby' Title Doesn't Apply To Her, And I Get It (4)

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"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," the 23-year-old continued, adding it's motivated her to "work really hard to try to prove them wrong." "But nowadays, I don’t need to prove sh*t to anybody," she added.

Willow Smith Explained Why The 'Nepo Baby' Title Doesn't Apply To Her, And I Get It (5)

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Willow, who broke out at age 10 with her debut single "Whip My Hair," also noted that her identity as a Black woman doesn't quite make her eligible to be a nepo baby anyway.

Willow Smith Explained Why The 'Nepo Baby' Title Doesn't Apply To Her, And I Get It (6)

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"Being Black in America, even with privilege, which I'm never going to deny that I have, you're still Black," she said.

Willow Smith Explained Why The 'Nepo Baby' Title Doesn't Apply To Her, And I Get It (7)

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"And I love being Black. People would look at me and [say], 'Okay, well, her parents are this and 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 Smith Explained Why The 'Nepo Baby' Title Doesn't Apply To Her, And I Get It (8)

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Willow went on to discuss lessons she’s learned from her parents to help her navigate life, how she’s “always” been a “loner,” and more. You can read the full interview here.

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Willow Smith Explained Why The 'Nepo Baby' Title Doesn't Apply To Her, And I Get It (2024)

FAQs

Willow Smith Explained Why The 'Nepo Baby' Title Doesn't Apply To Her, And I Get It? ›

Willow, who broke out at age 10 with her debut single "Whip My Hair," also noted that her identity as a Black woman doesn't quite make her eligible to be a nepo baby anyway. "Being Black in America, even with privilege, which I'm never going to deny that I have, you're still Black," she said.

Who is considered a nepo baby? ›

Nepo baby, short for nepotism baby, is a term referring to celebrities whose parents have succeeded in the same careers. The implication is that, because their parents already had connections to an industry, the child was able to use those connections to build a career in that industry.

Why did Will Smith name his daughter Willow? ›

But some reckon they've worked out the meaning behind the names, and it's left them stunned. They theorised on X that the names are actually a clever gender-swapped variations of their parents. So Willow is named after her father Will and Jaden is named after his mother Jada.

Who named their kid Willow? ›

Several celebrities have chosen it as a baby name, including actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith and pop star Pink.

Is Zendaya a nepo baby? ›

In a very “normal” family, as she puts it. Though very much not a nepo baby, her interest in acting did come from her mother's summer job at the Shakespeare Theatre in Orinda, California, where she worked as the House Manager. Zendaya spent much of her childhood at the theater, helping her mom run errands.

Is Dakota Johnson's nepo baby? ›

Johnson is the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith. During her recent “Saturday Night Live” hosting stint, Johnson poked fun at her nepo baby legacy. “When that first started I found it to be incredibly annoying and boring,” Johnson said. “If you're a journalist, then write about something else.

Is Nicolas Cage a nepo baby? ›

Talking to Playboy, Cage called his nepotistic status a “mixed blessing.” He explained, “I started acting when I was 17 and my fellow actors didn't accept me. They said I was there because of Francis Coppola.

Is Kendall Jenner a nepo? ›

Gigi and Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Kaia Gerber — many of the world's current batch of successful models were born to the rich and famous. (In the case of Ms. Gerber, whose mother is Cindy Crawford, it helps to have a bona fide supermodel to thank for her genes.) Nepo babies can, in theory, go into any profession.

Is Patrick Mahomes a nepo baby? ›

Patrick's nepo status is up for debate. His father, Pat, was also a successful athlete, but he didn't play football. Instead, Pat made a name for himself in baseball, playing for the MLB as a pitcher. His career between 1992 and 2003 had him all over the country (and the world).

Why is Will Smith's son called Trey? ›

Smith also has son Willard Smith III – who goes by Trey Smith – with actress-turned-reality TV star and ex-wife Sheree Zampino. "I thought his name was Trey this whole time just found out today that Trey is his nickname because he's the 3rd Willard Smith," a user wrote.

Is Willow Smith daughter of Will? ›

Singer Willow Smith, whose parents are Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, said in a recent interview that she doesn't “need to prove s— to anybody.” Willow Smith has such big feelings about her music career — and perceptions that she's a nepo baby riding on her Oscar- and Daytime Emmy-winning parents' coattails.

Is Jaden and Willow Smith older? ›

Jaden Christopher Syre Smith was born July 8, 1998, in Malibu, California, the son of actors Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith. He has an older half-brother, Trey Smith (b. 1992) and a younger sister, Willow Smith (b. 2000).

Why did Pink name her daughter Willow? ›

The inspiration for Willow's name came from a willow tree from Pink's childhood. “I grew up near one.

Is Willow gender neutral? ›

The name Willow is primarily a gender-neutral name of English origin that means From The Willow Grove.

What does Willow symbolize? ›

Willow tree meanings

Many, therefore, see it as inspiring and symbolic of humans' capability to withstand hardship, loss, and difficult emotions. Thanks to its long life and the ease with which new trees can be rooted from cuttings, the willow tree is also seen as a survivor and a symbol of rebirth.

Is Millie Bobby Brown a nepo baby? ›

Unlike some Hollywood rising stars, Millie is not a "nepo baby" and has still found massive success at a young age. Who are Millie Bobby Brown's parents? Does she have any siblings who might join her in the spotlight someday? Read on for everything you need to know about Millie's family, explained.

Is Timothee Chalamet nepo's baby? ›

Timothée Chalamet (actor)

It's true: Timothée is a nepo bébé. His mother, Nicole Flender, was a Broadway actress and dancer. But it goes even deeper: His uncle directed episodes of Dawson's Creek, Gilmore Girls, and The O.C., while his writer-producer aunt has worked on hits like L.A.

Is Taylor Russell a nepo baby? ›

Far from being a Hollywood nepo-baby, handed success, she began working at the age of 13 in various places over five years including restaurants, a jewellery store, a butcher's and Amazon warehouses — earning and saving so she could pursue her passions.

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