Before entering the music industry, Willow Smith had a good understanding of the industry. Will and Jada Pinkett Smith are her parents, the latter of whom is the main singer of the nu metal band Wicked Wisdom. Observing her mother taught her a lot about what it’s like to be a Black woman in the music business. Willow talked about Jada’s unpleasant experiences in a recent cover article for L’Officiel.
“My mom got so much hate,” Willow said. “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 then shared how Jada’s experience turned into a teaching moment for her. “Obviously, she was scared,” she said. “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. I really wanted to just go within that place in myself and try something new, regardless of what my insecurities were.”
Willow made her comments after releasing her new track “Lipstick” and announcing her upcoming album Lately I Feel Everything.
