A Musical Evolution
Willow Smith, the multitalented daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, graces the cover of Allure magazine’s May issue. In the accompanying interview, she discusses her musical evolution and the inspiration behind her new album, “empathogen.”
The 22-year-old artist reveals her journey to find her authentic voice, shedding her youthful persona and embracing a more mature sound influenced by jazz legends like Chet Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.
“I’m settling into more of who I am. And that doesn’t mean that screaming and shredding on the guitar is not who I am because it is, but I’m going a little bit deeper. It’s about being a well-rounded musician more than anything for me and not being pigeonholed into any specific genre.”
Defying Conventional Beauty Standards
While Willow’s musical talent takes center stage, her interview also touches on her unique perspective on beauty standards. Known for her bold fashion choices and natural hair, she challenges traditional notions of beauty, embracing her individuality and encouraging others to do the same.
“Traditional, really? I represent certain parts of traditional beauty, but then there are other parts that I don’t represent. My legs are never shaved. I always have hairy-ass armpits like, I’m brown, my hair is nappy. That’s why I think I straddle a very interesting position in the beauty standard world.”
Overcoming Challenges and Finding Her Voice
The article delves into Willow’s journey, from her early success with the hit single “Whip My Hair” to her decision to step away from the spotlight to find herself. She candidly discusses the struggles she faced with self-doubt and societal pressures, ultimately finding solace in her artistic pursuits and self-acceptance.
“There was a time where it was really, really dark. I was trying to run away from it in every single way that I could. People would [ask], ‘Are you Willow Smith?’ And I’d be like, ‘No.’ I would just bold-face lie. I didn’t make music for years. I needed to figure out who I am.”
Embracing Her Identity and Advocating for Change
Despite facing challenges, Willow has emerged as a confident and purposeful artist, embracing her identity as a Black woman in America. She advocates for reproductive rights, environmental causes, and cultivating love and understanding.
“Being Black in America, even with privilege, which I’m never going to deny that I have, you’re still Black. 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.”
