Wikipedia

Willow Smith

"WILLOW" redirects here. For other uses, seeWillow (disambiguation).

Willow Smith(born October 31, 2000), also knownmononymouslyasWillow,is an American singer, dancer, and actress. The daughter ofWill SmithandJada Pinkett Smith,she has received various accolades, including aYoung Artist Award,anNAACP Image Award,aBET Award,and nominations for twoDaytime Emmy Awards,aGrammy Award,and aMTV Video Music Award.

Willow Smith
Smith in 2024
Born(2000-10-31)October 31, 2000(age 24)
Los Angeles,California,U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actress
Years active2007–present
Works
Parents
RelativesJaden Smith(brother)
Musical career
Genres
Labels
Member ofThe Anxiety
Websitewillowsmith

Born and raised inLos Angeles, California,Smith made her acting debut in the 2007 filmI Am Legendalongside her father, and later appeared inKit Kittredge: An American GirlwithAbigail Breslin.She embarked on a musical career with her 2010 single "Whip My Hair",which peaked at number 11 on theBillboardHot 100.Prior, Smith signed with her mentor,Jay-Z's record labelRoc Nation,becoming the label's youngest artist. The following year, she released the singles "21st Century Girl"and"Fireball"(featuringNicki Minaj).

Smith's debut studio album,Ardipithecus(2015) exploredneo soul.It spawned the single "Wait a Minute!",which receiveddouble platinumcertification by theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA). Her second and third albums,The 1st(2017) andWillow(2019) followed after and were both met with positive reception. Her fourth album,Lately I Feel Everything(2021), marked her first entry on theBillboard200and spawned the single "Transparent Soul",which receivedgoldcertification by the RIAA. Later that year, she earned her second top 40 entry on theBillboardHot 100 with her single "Meet Me at Our Spot",which she released as part of the duoThe AnxietywithTyler Cole.Smith's fifth album,Coping Mechanism(2022) marked her final release with Roc Nation, after which she signed withgamma.to release her sixth album,Empathogen(2024).

In 2018, Smith began co-hosting theFacebook Watchtalk showRed Table Talkwith her mother Jada and grandmother Adrienne, which has earned twoDaytime Emmy Awardnominations.

Early life

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Smith was born on October 31, 2000, inLos Angeles, California.[4][5]She is the daughter of the actress-musicianJada Pinkett Smithand actor-musicianWill Smith.She has two older siblings: her brotherJaden Smith,an actor and musician, and her half-brother Willard Carroll "Trey" Smith III, an actor and DJ. Smith and her siblings are youth ambassadors for Project Zambi, which, in conjunction withHasbro,[6][7]provides assistance forZambianchildren orphaned byAIDS.

Smith attendedSierra Canyon Schoolin Los Angeles.[8]

Career

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2007–2013: Acting and music endeavors

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Smith in 2011

Smith made her acting debut inI Am Legendalongside her father.[9]Her next film,Kit Kittredge: An American Girl,[10]was released on July 2, 2008. In 2008, she voiced the character of young Gloria the hippo inMadagascar: Escape 2 Africa,alongside her mother as Gloria the hippo.

In June 2009, Smith's mother Jada Pinkett Smith announced in an interview onLopez Tonightthat Smith would be releasing an album. Smith then released her first single, "Whip My Hair",which went platinum in the US and peaked at number 11 on theBillboardHot 100.In the UK, the single peaked at number two. Its video was nominated for Video of the Year at theBET Awards of 2011.[11]Smith soon after announced her next single, "21st Century Girl".After she performed the song onThe Oprah Winfrey Show,she released it the next day on February 3, 2011. The video was released March 9, 2011. On January 20, 2011, Will Smith announced he was planning to produce acontemporary remakeof the Broadway musicalAnniestarring Smith in the title role.[12]However, Smith was deemed too old and the title role was given toQuvenzhané Wallisin February 2013.[13]

On October 6, 2011, "Fireball", a collaboration between Smith and rapperNicki Minaj,was released. "Fireball" was a commercial failure, failing to chart in any type of music market, except the US R&B chart, charting at 121. It was her first song to miss theBillboardHot 100. Smith's producer announced that she were almost finished working on her debut album, and that it would be done soon. He also said it has a similar style to "Whip My Hair". The title of the album was later announced to beKnees and Elbows.[14]It was scheduled to be released around April 2012, but was later announced that it would be postponed for release later in the year. On May 1, 2012, she released a music video for "Do it Like Me (Rockstar)",[15]saying that it was her "first video ever".[15]On July 2, 2012, Smith released the "I Am Me" music video at theBET Awards.On July 17, she released her fourth single, "I Am Me" viaiTunesandAmazon.

In the summer of 2013, Smith and DJ Fabrega started a duo titled "Melodic Chaotic". "The Intro" was released as the first work, "Summer Fling" was released as the second work of the two on July 6, 2013. The music video was directed by Smith and Mike Vargas who previously directed her single "I Am Me". The song has been widely criticized for its mature tone, the use of the word "fling", and the fake English accent she incorporates.[16][17][18]On September 16, 2013, Smith performed "Summer Fling" on the series premiere ofThe Queen Latifah Show.During the performance, she said: "Just for clarity, the wordflingmeans something that's short lived...And this song is dedicated to all the kids around the world whose summer is never long enough. "[19]

2014–2018:3 EP,Ardipithecus,andThe 1st

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On October 24, 2014, Smith andFADERannounced that Smith would be releasing her debutEP,titled "3", on October 31, 2014, for free viaGoogle Playfor limited time and November 10, 2014, but it was later pushed to November 17, 2014, via iTunes. The same day, she held a concert in New York City at The FADER Fort, where she performed select tracks from her new EP withSZA.She also performed the song "5" with her brother, as well as "Summer Fling" and a new rendition of her famous hit "Whip My Hair".

Smith released the single "F Q-C #7" on May 7, 2015.[20]An accompanying music video was released the same day onVevo.[21]After release, on September, a video to the track "Why Don't You Cry" on i-D,[22]Willow released her first albumArdipithecuson December 11.[23]About her debut album's title, Willow said "Ardipithecus Ramidus[sic]Sahelanthropus tchadensisis the scientific name of the first hominid bones found on earth. I wanted to name my musical compilation after it because, while I was making these songs, I was in such a transitional state. Digging deep in the soil of my heart and finding bits and pieces of my ancient self that tell stories, which end up being the lyrics to the songs. "[24]

On her birthday, October 31, 2017, she released her second albumThe 1stwhich is praised for its musical development, particularly Willow's ability to create music following her 1990s R&B predecessors, despite not having been alive during the time.[25]She toured the album withJhene Aikoalongside St. Beauty, Kodie Shane, and Kitty Cash through the end of 2017.[26]

Along with her mother and grandmother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, Smith hostsRed Table Talk,a web talk show for which she received aDaytime Emmy Awardnomination.[27][28]

2019–2021:Willow,The Anxiety,andLately I Feel Everything

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Willow was managed by Will Smith's management company, Westbrook Entertainment, until March 2019 when Three Six Zero, an established management firm acquired Westbrook.[29]Following the acquisition. On June 24, 2019, Smith announced her third studio album,Willow.It was released on July 19, 2019, and was co-produced by herself and Tyler Cole.[30]The duo later released a collaborative album titledThe Anxietyin 2020. On April 27, 2021, Smith released "Transparent Soul"featuringTravis Barker,apop-punksong that was her first foray into that genre.[31][32]Smith released her fourth albumLately I Feel Everythingon July 16, featuring guests artists includingTierra WhackandAvril Lavigne.[33]In late 2021, "Meet Me at Our Spot"fromThe Anxietyreached theBillboardHot 100,peaking at number 21.[34]That same year,Timenamed her one of the100 most influential people in the world.[35]Also in 2021, she won Entertainer of the Year for her work onRed Table Talkat theEBONYPower 100awards,[36]and was placed onBillboard's'Greatest Pop Stars of 2021' list, being named the 'Comeback Artist of the Year'.[37]Smith was also placed on the 2022Forbes30 Under 30list.[38]

2022–present:Coping Mechanism,Empathogen

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In February 2022, a preview from Willow Smith's bookBlack Shield Maiden,co-written with Jess Hendel and set to be published throughPenguin Random House,was shared on social media and criticized by users for depicting theAmazigh,an ethnic group indigenous toNorth Africa,as "thieves and slavers".[39]Others have also critiqued the book for adopting a colonialist view ofMuslimpeople.[40]Critics and users have condemned Smith for the use of harmful racist as well as Islamophobic stereotypes in her novel, and have labelled the book as being orientalist.[39][40]

In February 2022, Smith pulled out ofBillie Eilish'sHappier Than Ever, The World Tourdue to production limitations.[41]On April 8, 2022, Smith featured onCamila Cabello's track "Psychofreak"from Cabello's third studio albumFamilia.A music video for the song was released on the same day,[42]followed by a live performance onSaturday Night Live.[43]

Coping Mechanismis the fifth studio album by Smith. The album was released on October 7, 2022, throughRoc NationandPolydor,and featuresYves Tumor.[44]

In June 2022, Smith released "Maybe It's My Fault",the first single from her fifth studio album.[45]

In July 2022, Smith published the album art as well as the release date for the album. The following month, the singer put out "Hover Like a Goddess".[46]

In October 2022, Smith made her official musical guest debut onSaturday Night Liveon October 8, 2022, the second episode ofSeason 48,hosted by Irish actorBrendan Gleeson,where she performed "Curious/Furious" and "Ur a Stranger".

Her first single sinceCoping Mechanism,"Alone", was released in November 2023. Her next single, "Symptom of Life",was released in March 2024, followed by"Big Feelings"in April. The same day as the single's release, Smith announced her sixth studio albumEmpathogen,which was released May 4, 2024.[47]

Personal life

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In early May 2014,Moisés Arias,who was 20, was photographed shirtless sitting on a bed with 13-year-old Smith, who was clothed.[48]The photo triggered an investigation into the Smith family by theLos Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.The family was cleared.[49][50]

In June 2019, Smith revealed that she isbisexual,stating: "I love men and women equally". She also mentioned her support ofpolyamorousrelationships and her desire to be in one.[51]She is a practicing Hindu and has been actively seen followingISKCON,which follows the doctrine ofGaudiya Vaishnavismwith a tradition which believesKrishnaas the Supreme Lord.[52]

Discography

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Main article:Willow Smith discography

Collaborative albums

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2007 I Am Legend Marley Neville[54][55]
2008 Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Countee Garby
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Baby Gloria(voice)
2009 Merry Madagascar Abby (voice) TV movie
2009–2010 True Jackson, VP Young True[56] 2 episodes
2017 Neo Yokio Helenist (voice) Episode: "O, the Helenists"
2018 Adventure Time Beth the Pup Princess (voice) Episode: "Come Along with Me"
2018–2023 Red Table Talk Herself Co-host; 37 episodes
2021 A Man Named Scott Herself
2022 We Baby Bears Unica (voice) Recurring: Season 1 and 2
Saturday Night Live Herself; musical guest 2 episodes: "Jake Gyllenhaal/Camila Cabello","Brendan Gleeson/Willow "

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominee Results Ref.
2008 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a Feature Film (Young Actress Age Ten or Younger) I Am Legend Nominated [citation needed]
2009 Best Performance in a Feature Film (Young Ensemble Cast) Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Won
2010 Annie Award Voice Acting in a Television Production Merry Madagascar Nominated
2011 VirtuaMagazine Awards Best New Artist Herself Won
NAACP Image Award Outstanding New Artist Won [57]
Outstanding Music Video "Whip My Hair" Nominated
O Music Awards Most Viral Video Won [citation needed]
BET Awards Video of the Year Nominated
Best New Artist Nominated
YoungStar Award Herself(tied with Jaden Smith) Won
2012 Herself Nominated
MP3 Music Awards The BTM Award "Fireball" (featuringNicki Minaj) Nominated
2013 "I Am Me" Won
2014 VEVOCertifiedAwards 100,000,000 views "Whip My Hair" Won
2016 The 2016 Fashion Awards New Fashion Icons Herself(tied with Jaden Smith) Won
2020 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host Red Table Talk Nominated [28]
Queerty Awards Closet Door Bustdown Herself Nominated [58]
2021 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host Red Table Talk Nominated [59]
British LGBT Awards Celebrity Herself Nominated [60]
MTV Video Music Awards Best Alternative Video "Transparent Soul" (featuringTravis Barker) Nominated [61]
MTV Europe Music Awards Best Alternative "Transparent Soul" (featuringTravis Barker) Nominated
2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards Best New Alternative Artist Herself Nominated [62]
MTV Video Music Awards Best Alternative Video "Emo Girl" Nominated [63]
"Grow" Nominated
2025 Grammy Awards Best Arrangement, Instrumental, and Vocals “Big Feelings” Nominated [64]
Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical “Empathogen” Nominated [65]

References

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  1. ^"Willow Biography, Songs, & Albums".AllMusic.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
  2. ^"Gamma. Aligns With Three Six Zero".Hits Daily Double.HITS Digital Ventures.RetrievedMay 8,2024.
  3. ^"Gamma. Aligns With Three Six Zero".Hits Daily Double.HITS Digital Ventures.RetrievedMay 8,2024.
  4. ^Leone Shewfelt, Raechal (October 31, 2012)."Happy birthday, Willow Smith! 12 reasons why she's cooler than most of us".Us Weekly.
  5. ^"Willow Smith Biography"ArchivedJanuary 25, 2016, at theWayback Machine.Biography.Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  6. ^"Jaden and Willow Smith support Project Zambi".In Touch Weekly.October 7, 2009.RetrievedJune 8,2010.
  7. ^"Actors Jaden and Willow Smith Join Hasbro, Inc.'s Project Zambi as Youth Ambassadors".Project Zambi. October 7, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon January 17, 2010.RetrievedJune 8,2010.
  8. ^Wiedeman, Reeves (February 19, 2020)."The Most Famous High School Basketball Team in the World".Intelligencer.RetrievedApril 28,2020.
  9. ^Orloff, Brian; Lazaruk, Lauren (December 2, 2007)."Will Smith: My Daughter Wants to Be Paris Hilton".People.Archived fromthe originalon January 17, 2008.RetrievedJune 8,2010.
  10. ^Smith, Krista (June 2010)."Rising Son: The New Karate Kid".Vanity Fair.RetrievedJune 8,2010.
  11. ^"Video of the Year".Black Entertainment Television (BET). Archived fromthe originalon May 21, 2011.RetrievedNovember 21,2011.
  12. ^"Will Smith Planning 'Annie' Remake With Jay-Z".Screen Rant.January 20, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 20,2011.
  13. ^Rottenberg, Josh (February 24, 2013)."Beasts of the Southern Wild' breakout Quvenzhané Wallis to star in new big-screen 'Annie'".EW.
  14. ^Moody, Nekesa Mumbi (December 8, 2011)."Willow Smith Talks New Album 'Knees and Elbows'".The Huffington Post.RetrievedJanuary 23,2012.
  15. ^abCubria, Kaitlin (May 2, 2012)."Willow Smith Debuts Her First Ever Music Video for" Do It Like Me (Rockstar) "".Teen. Archived fromthe originalon June 25, 2013.RetrievedJuly 13,2013.
  16. ^"Willow Smith's" Summer Fling "Video Is Full of Fake Accents, Dancing & Young Love—Watch Now!".de.eonline. July 8, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 17,2013.
  17. ^"Willow Smith and Her Fake Accent Have a Blast in 'Summer Fling' Video".jezebel. July 8, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 17,2013.
  18. ^"Willow Smith's New Music Video Proves Whipping Your Hair Is Out, Faking A British Accent Is In".crushable. Archived fromthe originalon November 20, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 17,2013.
  19. ^"Willow Smith Performs 'Summer Fling' on 'The Queen Latifah Show'".Rap-Up.Archived fromthe originalon September 8, 2014.RetrievedJune 1,2014.
  20. ^"F Q-C # 7 – Single by Willow".Itunes.apple.May 7, 2015.RetrievedDecember 8,2015.
  21. ^"Willow – F Q-C #7".YouTube.WillowSmithVEVO. May 7, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon May 27, 2015.RetrievedDecember 8,2015.
  22. ^"world premiere: watch willow smith's new video 'why don't you cry'".i–d.vice /.September 17, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon December 22, 2015.RetrievedDecember 11,2015.
  23. ^"ARDIPITHECUS by Willow".itunes.apple /.December 11, 2015.RetrievedDecember 11,2015.
  24. ^"Willow Smith surprise-releases debut album 'Ardipithecus'".NME.December 11, 2015.RetrievedDecember 11,2015.
  25. ^Cook, Cameron (November 9, 2017)."Willow:The 1st."Pitchfork.Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  26. ^"Jhené Aiko Announces 'Trip' Tour with Willow Smith".Rap-Up.October 11, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 25,2018.
  27. ^Butler, Bethonie."The understated genius of Jada Pinkett-Smith's Red Table Talk".Washington Post.
  28. ^abNordyke, Kimberly; Howard, Annie (May 22, 2020)."Daytime Emmy Awards: 'General Hospital' Tops Nominations".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedMay 22,2020.
  29. ^Garner, George (March 19, 2019)."Will Smith's management company Westbrook Entertainment acquired by Three Six Zero".Music Week.RetrievedAugust 17,2023.
  30. ^Barrie, Fatima (June 25, 2019)."Willow Smith Announces New Album and Mini-Tour".Def Pen.
  31. ^Shaffer, Claire (April 27, 2021)."Willow Smith Goes Full Pop-Punk on New Track 'Transparent Soul'".Rolling Stone.
  32. ^Owen, Matt (April 27, 2021)."Willow Smith unleashes her inner pop-punk in guitar-centric new single, Transparent Soul".Guitar World.
  33. ^Mamo, Heran (June 25, 2021)."Inside Willow's Mission To Change the Face of Punk – And What To Expect From Her Upcoming Album".Billboard.RetrievedJuly 11,2021.
  34. ^"The Hot 100".Billboard.January 2, 2013.RetrievedNovember 30,2021.
  35. ^"'Red Table Talk' Hosts: TIME100 2021 ".Time.RetrievedSeptember 28,2021.
  36. ^"Ebony Announces The Return of 'Ebony Power 100 Awards' For Their 75th Anniversary".HelloBeautiful.October 1, 2021.RetrievedDecember 22,2021.
  37. ^Jefferson, J'na (December 9, 2021)."Billboard's Greatest Pop Stars of 2021: Comeback Artist of the Year — Willow".Billboard.RetrievedDecember 22,2021.
  38. ^"Olivia Rodrigo, Willow Smith, Fletcher And More Join Forbes '30 Under 30' Class Of 2022".Yahoo!.Archived fromthe originalon December 22, 2021.RetrievedDecember 22,2021.
  39. ^abMounir, Ghufrane (February 21, 2022)."Black Shield Maiden: Willow Smith's new book lambasted over representation of Muslims".Middle East Eye.
  40. ^abOmar, Idman (March 15, 2022)."Why Willow Smith's New Book Deserves to Be Cancelled".Amaliah.
  41. ^"Willow Exits Billie Eilish Tour Due to 'Production Limitations'".Billboard.RetrievedFebruary 9,2022.
  42. ^Camila Cabello – psychofreak (Official Music Video) ft. WILLOW,April 8, 2022,retrievedApril 8,2022
  43. ^Watch: WILLOW makes SNL debut with Camila Cabello for psychofreak performance
  44. ^"WILLOW:" I feel like the biggest pressure is the pressure to just be… ".Kerrang!.September 21, 2022.
  45. ^Trapp, Philip (June 24, 2022)."WILLOW's New Song 'Maybe It's My Fault' Has a Wicked Metalcore Breakdown".Loudwire.
  46. ^Wang, Steffanee (August 4, 2022)."Willow Announces New Album 'CopingMechanism'".Nylon.
  47. ^"Willow Returns With New Album 'Empathogen'".Microsoft Start.May 4, 2024.
  48. ^Macatee, Rebecca (May 7, 2014)."Willow Smith, 13, in Bed With Shirtless Actor Moisés Arias, 20".E! Online.
  49. ^Onley, Dawn (December 12, 2019)."Jada Pinkett Smith and Willow talk 2014 investigation on their family".The Grio.
  50. ^"Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith Cleared By Child Protective Services Following Investigation Report".New York Daily News.Archivedfrom the original on July 8, 2024.
  51. ^Henderson, Taylor (June 25, 2019)."Willow Smith Comes Out: 'I Love Men and Women Equally'".Pride.RetrievedJune 26,2019.
  52. ^"Willow Smith Religion".January 6, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 6,2023.
  53. ^Asmelash, Leah (March 14, 2020)."Willow Smith and Tyler Cole release new album 'The Anxiety' after spending 24 hours in a museum".CNN.
  54. ^Howell, Peter (December 3, 2007)."Will Smith goes it alone".Toronto Star.RetrievedJune 8,2010.
  55. ^Freydkin, Donna (December 11, 2007)."'Legend' premiere has that Smith family vibe ".USA Today.RetrievedJune 8,2010.
  56. ^don't forget "testing true"!:).Ashley Argota,YouTube,a.k.a. ashargota (official YouTube channel). 1:42 minutes in. "Willow Smith, who isWill Smith's daughter, is going to be playing Young True. "
  57. ^D'Zurilla, Christie (March 7, 2011)."'21st Century Girl' Willow Smith wins new-artist NAACP Image Award ".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedMarch 8,2011.
  58. ^"The QUEERTIES 2020 / Closet Door Bustdown Winners".Queerty.Archived fromthe originalon February 14, 2022.RetrievedMay 4,2021.
  59. ^"Daytime Emmy Awards Nominations 2021: See the Complete List".E! Online.May 25, 2021.RetrievedJune 8,2021.
  60. ^"Top 10 Celebrities 2021 – British LGBT Awards".Britishlgbtawards.April 20, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 8,2021.
  61. ^"THE 2021 VMA NOMINATIONS ARE HEE: JUSTIN BIEBER, MEGAN THEE STALLION, AND MORE".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon August 11, 2021.RetrievedAugust 15,2021.
  62. ^"2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards: See The Full List Of Winners".news.iheart.RetrievedMarch 22,2022.
  63. ^"Your 2022 VMA Nominations Are Here: Jack Harlow, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Nas X Lead The Pack".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon July 26, 2022.RetrievedJuly 26,2022.
  64. ^"Grammy Nominations 2025: Beyonce Leads With 11 Nods as Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX Are Among Top Nominees".Variety.November 8, 2024.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  65. ^"Grammy Nominations 2025: See the Full List Here".Pitchfork.November 8, 2024.RetrievedNovember 8,2024.
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