A few days ago, we heard the hot new single for the fall, “Whip My Hair” by Willow Smith. Willow is the nine-year-old daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. She has an older brother, Jaden, who is the next big thing in Hollywood (thanks to the success of The Karate Kid), and now Willow is poised to become the next huge pop sensation, because, as was the rumor a few days ago, Jay-Z ended up signing Willow to his Roc Nation label. That means she’ll probably be putting out her first album next year, maybe. Honestly, imagine if Justin Bieber and Rihanna had a love child, a little girl who dressed like a mini-Gaga. Yeah… Willow is going to be HUGE.
It’s always nice to see the music industry make room for a talented newcomer. On Wednesday, the Roc Nation entertainment company announced that it had signed a recording deal with the 9-year-old pop singer Willow Smith, whose debut single, “Whip My Hair,” has become a viral sensation after hitting the Web earlier this week.
In a news release, Roc Nation said that Willow Smith, who is the sister of the “Karate Kid” actor Jaden Smith and – oh, yes – the daughter of the superstars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, will shoot her debut video in Los Angeles later this month.
Jay-Z, the Roc Nation founder and president, said in a statement, “It’s rare to find an artist with such innate talent and creativity at such a young age. Willow is about to embark on an incredible journey and we look forward to joining her as she grows in all aspects of her career.”
In a interview Wednesday morning with Ryan Seacrest, Willow Smith assured the host that she is truly 9 years old (“You could look at my birth certificate, or you could ask my mom,” she said) and admitted that math was her most challenging subject in school.
[From The NYT]
If it was another little girl, I would be wringing my hands in worry for the possible traps and eventual self-destructive path this whole thing would lead to. But I have faith in Will and Jada as parents, I really do. They seem to be very focused on protecting and nuturing their kids while still letting them find who they are as artists. Or whatever. That was kind of an Oprah-fart, wasn’t it? Ha! I was trying to say that I’m not worried, I guess.
Once again, here’s Willow’s song “Whip My Hair”. Once again, I don’t think it’s bad at all. For a pop song, you know? It’s better than most of the crap Rihanna puts out, seriously.
Willow on July 18 & 21, 2010. Credit: WENN.
You go girl! She is FIERCE! I only wish I had a fourth of her style at that age!
it’s a cute litte song
Ummm…no, more like she got signed because of her famous parents.
Those little pretentious spoiled Will Smith children always give me the creep!!!!!!!!
Meh. Kids should just be kids. She’d be singing in her school’s talent show if she had non-famous parents.
I must be getting old because I am not this girl’s audience. That song gave me a headache, and I had that same shaved hairstyle at 14. Keep it moving, nothing to see here.
But good luck to Willow. Daddy must be so proud, and we’re probably looking at someone who will have her own bubblegum by 15.
I don’t think worry that the kids are being pushed too hard, because it’s obviously the parents are GIVING them these movie and record deals as gifts. It’s not like the kids had to WORK for any of this.
The only thing I would worry about is what kind of adult they will turn out to be when they get record deals and fashion assistants handed to them on a silver platter when they’re 9 years old. I look at Willow’s face, and she already has the look of someone who thinks they are far more fabulous than the really are (i.e., smug, self-centered, and supercilious).
But the parents are such phonies, I doubt they worry about things like that. I’ll never forget how they showed up at some Hollywood event and gave an interview about how they were skipping the event to go home to their sick child, because that’s the kind of parents they are. Yeah, um . . . if the kid was THAT sick, why did they leave in the first place? So they could give an interview telling the world what great parents they are, of course. Total phonies.
i’m tellin ya…
those smith kids r ’bout to have hollywood on lock!
better negotiate that playboy spread now, rihanna.
start packin’ your bags now miley.
rip lindsey.
*bowing head* 🙂
Nepotism at it’s finest. GTFO Willow.
I’d hate to say anything bad about a child, so I will kindly STFU
I hate how this child always appears to be sneering…and posing. I am beginning to wonder if Jay-Z is now involved with Scientology at Will & Jada’s prodding of course. UGH!!
Yay for Willow. I love this song and I downloaded it, the video had link where you could downloaded for it free. I am excited and I am sure Jada and Will are looking out for their kids. They seem like good people and solid.
The music industry has officially jumped the shark!
Daddy’s money and power buys a lot of nice things for those kids.
I have heard little kids on America’s Got Talent that sound better than her!
Major autotune going on in the song.
Ok girls-be nice to the little girl. Is she signed because she has famous parents and autotune exists? Yes. But no need to bring out the claws. She’s nine! And she might be self conscious about her teeth so she doesn’t smile big like my daughter. I have a soft heart with kids-its hard enough growing up around little sh!ithead kids your own age. I’d hate for her to google herself and read what grown women are saying.
Watch out..here comes another Lindsey Lohan in the making! Shame on her parents for letting her get involved in show business. I would have thought they knew better. It will not end well.
I am tired of both of these kids being shoved down our throats. I am ambivalent about them personally. However, this PR blitz is hacking me off!
I LOVE that Willow dresses “edgy” but not “adult”. Like, there’s no hoochie shorts or super low tank tops. She looks really cool, but she still looks like a girl, which I think is an amazing feat. <3
Oh please, whole family go away! esp. Mom
She’s 9 years old and should be allowed to act like she’s 9. She looks like a Rihanna wannabe. I guess we’ve found the next Lindsay Lohan. What a shame.
I am repulsed by this clan…I can’t quite put my finger on why…. they just seem to lack class.
At a time when overexposing one’s children is unarguably risky here come the Smiths.
Shouldnt she be living life of normal 9 year old child?
9 is WAYYYYYYY to young to be living the sort of lifestyle a singer who goes on rd etc does.
Where is the parenting here? Shame on her parents and shame on Jayz for signing her, looking to make $ off a 9 yr old! Outrageous!
Could her parents be more obsessed with their kids becoming famous!!!! pathetic.
Well, I see nothing wrong with Willow being a “pop star” if that’s what she wants. Her brother is a movie star these days and it’s best to have both siblings doing stuff they like so there is no jealousy between them. So, that’s my opinion.
Also, these Smith kids have always had everything they’ve ever wanted, including assistants (to dress them for events) and nannies and whatever, and they have been going to movie premieres since they were old enough to walk, so how can this type of celebrity hurt them in any way? I don’t think there is cause to worry about this child. (Of course, you guys aren’t worried, you just wanna b!tch!!)
As for JayZ signing her to his label . . . it’s not like he needs the publicity that comes with signing her. He’s just being a good business man seizing an opportunity. I seriously doubt Will or Jada talked him into signing her. If that were the case, wouldn’t Jada have a record deal also? I mean, she has a girl band that does gigs around the country but I don’t think they have ever done a record. So, if she and Will have all that power to get a deal for Willow, don’t you think she would have gotten one for herself?
…and all on her own, too!
Geez, how can I say this nicely.. too bad she got Will’s looks and not Jada’s… :(:(
Everything’s so screwed up these days – when you’re a kid, you can’t be a kid … so as an adult you try to be a kid when you should be an adult! I’m not just talking about Hollyweird and celebrities. It’s normal, everyday people, too. *sigh*
repetive crap for the song. spoiled children that have no talent…whatever humans are pretty pathetic
OMG, 9??? She’s pretty cool for a 9 year old. My kids would love to be that cool. And that IS a cute song. I agree; with parents in the industry, instead of money grubbing Lohan or Spears-like stage parents, she’ll probably be just fine.
Amazing. Her daddy bought her record deal. How must feel talented kids who spend hours every day at choir and music schools… It turns out you don’t need to have talent or voice. All you need is to have rich daddy that will buy you good song and a record deal. Imagine how much it cost Will to buy this song. Now she has to go to talk shows and SING IT LIVE. None? They all do that. That will be something.
And it’s so funny how people say that her parents will keep an eye on her and brother. If she will want to screw up she will not ask them. She will do this. Since when teens ask their parents when they drink, do drugs and hang out in the clubs. They do it behind their back.
She is just the sweetest looking little girl. I am sure Will and Jada are trying to be fair to her because of her brother’s fame; however, I guess I’m an old fashion parent….have they not seen the struggles of Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan?? Too young..too quick for fame can make life so complicated for children. Well they both have been in the industry for a long time. Perhaps they can navigate these waters for their children. Hope so for the children’s sake.
😡 god damn
oh my. The song is annoying, but then again, I’m a metal/rockchick, so I’m nothing like her audience would be. Good luck to her. Usually the industry is really tough, but she has the backing of her parents both financially and otherwise. Whether she’s signed because she has talent or because of her parents doesn’t matter. Longevity usually comes with talent.
Please make the Smith family go away.
“Of course, you guys aren’t worried, you just wanna b!tch!!”
@MsLewis: GMAFB. You take bitching to a new level in nearly all of your posts. Multi-paragraph rants against other posters, the CB writers, and pretty much anyone else who isn’t your idealogical clone. Get off your imaginary high horse and wake up to yourself.
As I said in the other thread, I’m all for creativity and expression, but at 9, do that at home without mass marketing her to the world.
The track record of child stars growing into happy, well adjusted adults is so slim, why push it if your family already has fame and fortune? Why not let her have a relatively normal childhood and pursue a music career when she’s old enough to understand all that comes with it, the good and the bad?
The song itself sounds very…over-produced. I don’t want to be mean to a kid and she could grow up to be a great musician, but right now it sounds like an average kid who’s daddy bought her a record contract – especially when there are genuine musical prodigies out there, like that opera girl.
I wish her well, but I think it’s a mistake to do this so young.
@mslewis – I think there’s a big difference between being the child of a celebrity, vs. being a pop star or movie star, where people are scrutinizing and critiquing what YOU do, YOUR work. I think it’s a different kind of fame and attention.
I cannot stand this family, this kids faces specially Jaden thinking he is god’s gift to all,
Spoiled fucking kids, and yes we can talk about kids even if though they are young, they are still just people a few of them are cool, a lot fucking idiots
no way thats a 9-year-old singing.
Yes, because a 9 year old is going to replace Rihanna. PLEASE.
I’m with Gatsby Gal on the fashion! I have a nine-year-old girl and I think Willow rocks it. It is unique and NOT SLUTTY, hooray! If only Noah Cyrus could do such a thing.
I don’t get people’s remarks on the kids’ expressions. I think the two have kind of neutral-in-repose type faces, and as far as smiling and posing, the only pictures I’ve seen are the red carpet, where you are supposed to, you know, smile and pose! To me they look smart. I have worked with lots of gifted kids and they generally are less ingratiating around adults than other kids. It doesn’t mean they are necessarily full of themselves.
It is true they are getting lots of chances thanks to their parents but they are pretty talented, too. I saw Karate Kid and I thought Jaden’s performance was quite good. This song is super-dopy but the non-hook semi-rap part had some real flair to it. So enough hating on little kids, ok????
Two words….CASH COW!
“So enough hating on little kids, ok????”
Uh, no. Their PARENTS are the ones who inflict these no-talent kids onto us. (I’m not the one who cast the unecessary Karate Kid remake). If you don’t want people to point out how talent-less they are, then I suggest you tell their PARENTS to remove them from show business, which — and I know this may shock you — is an industry that opens them up to such criticism.
Perhaps that is EXACTLY WHY so many people think very young children should not be pushed into show business. Anyone who says kids should not be subjected to such criticism is only proving that very point.
@ Texasmom
Thank you. Everybody says they look smug, but i bet these same people havent looked at the pics on their kids Facebooks. i totally had a “cool” face at that age for pictures, as most tweens do. To call them smug is pretty harsh. its a red carpet. i honestly think everybody looks idiotic on the red carpet because its obvious posing. welcome to the business. she may be a talented kid whose parents are nurturing this at a young age becuase she can change her mind and become a nuerologist later on. i wish i had this much fun at 9, and she probably will learn some hard work too.
benny & Kim: TOTALLY agree with you – TOTALLY. Disgusted by these Hollywood spawns offered deals they would have NO chance of getting without their parents. NINE years old?? DISGUSTING.
“she may be a talented kid whose parents are nurturing this at a young age becuase she can change her mind and become a nuerologist later on”
Uh, yea, I am sure they are really emphasizing education to their kids. Thank you Smith’s for giving us two more uneducated, sense of entitlement brats for ‘adults’ in 10 years.
I’ve noticed many people here love to analyze facial expressions (in this case Willow’s, in other cases Alicia Keys)…which is fine, I guess, but the commentary of those people always sounds like one of those corny celebrity couple body language analyses, you know? Where they find something totally unintentional and inconspicuous and blow it out of proportion to explain why the couple is on the rocks and why they shouldn’t be together and basically why they suck.
Anyway, lol, the point of that rant was to say…I don’t think Willow looks smug. It could be a 9-year-old girl exuding self-confidence–something many girls her age are still trying to obtain. Her fashion sense is fierce, and idk about yall but I’ve only seen her dressed like that when it looks like she’s at an event or photoshoot, in which case it’s not like she dresses like that EVERY day, sheesh. I think people also forget that sometimes, the child DOES want all the fame and whatnot that they’re getting themselves into, and with famous parents who are very rich, I doubt she was pressured to do anything she didn’t want to do. Basically, give the child a break. Until she comes out with a DWI, sex tape, or drug charge, let’s not attack the girl.
Also–it’s not like she’s acting like she’s had a hard life and worked her ass off to get that record deal. It’s not like her parents are acting like that either. I bet they’d even admit they had connections to Jay-Z, which I suspect is true. I think Willow is just having fun. She happens to be lucky with her super famous parents, but lo and behold she can actually hold a tune. So I think she should get a chance. Team Willow!!
🙂
With the success and $$ that family has, why do they need to push their kids into the limelight so hard?
Yes she looks “fierce”, but hello? Don’t you think that’s a stylist doing that, and not the 9-year-old. Kids should get to be kids first . . . there’s so much time to be a grown-up.
@benny — this is an honest question about the Karate Kid. Lots of people were really against the whole concept of remaking it. Why such strong feelings about an “unnecessary remake”? I’m not trying to provoke, but understand. I remember when the previews came out that lots of people were offended at the very idea of the film.
I didn’t have strong feelings either way, but I was dragged into seeing it and thought it was really quite good. I actually prefer it to the old one.
She does sound like Rihanna but she’s really, really good! Willow’s track sounds like that song by Beyonce, I just forgot. But, really, you just can’t get off this song out of your head!
She apparently inherited her mother’s smug bitchface.
Autotune.
Who cares? She was born to the lifestyle. So what her parents got her in with Jay-Z. Why would it be anything else? It’s really of no interest. Her demographic will be the tweens, who will love her music. Willow and Jaden seem like nice, cute kids with attentive parents. The haters sound so petty and jealous, as if this is of any importance…LOL
I actually like the song, it’s really..cool..
But i would find it weird if they played this at the clubs and people start dirty dancing.. it would be creepy as hell.. BECAUSE A 9 YR OLD SANG THIS!
I could see this being in a shampoo commercial or something.
“I whip mah hair back and forth *whip it real good*”
Watched Jaden on George Lopez…. they are good grounded kids. Thank God! I’m not worried either. She will be fine.
smiths sucks!
It is now clear to me that the Smith’s are Scientologists. They seem to be following the belief that children are just adults in small bodies and must not be told no.
This will not end well.
I have to say i got tired of reading these posts halfway through.
1)this kid is never going to live the life of a normal 9 year old. Never.
2) Neither she nor her parents need the money from her music.
3) her song is cute, fits right in with what her demographic is listening to, auto-tune pop candy.
4) she is over the top adorable!! Great style, age appropriate
5) anyone who says they don’t or won’t help their kids is an idiot or a liar. I helped my daughter get a summer job at a restaurant, are you all going to attack me now?
6)back off on the hate. This is a show biz family, I agree with an earlier post- do you think these kids are going to aspire to be blue collar? We ALL try to surpass the ground our parents broke.
7) I like this family, conjecture and inuendo aside, they seem to really enjoy each other, and their fabulous lives.
Thanks @Texasmom for your perspective on Willow’s facial expression. You made me mentally flip through recent pix of my 7.5 yo dd and I can see how someone could be turned off by her posing even though she is a sweet little girl in real life.
So, I won’t be commenting any more on Willow’s body language (or Jaden’s). But I will tell you right now that as persuasive as you are, there is absolutely nothing you could say that could get me to like Jada! 🙂
As for Willow’s style, I think it’s a little edgy for her age, but I like how it is in no way sexy.
Too much, too soon.
It really bothers me that in the reports of this story they are making her out to be some seasoned artist. I don’t care who her parents are. I don’t care that she’s grown up in the industry. THE GIRL IS 9 FOR FUCK’S SAKE! A major problem with the music industry in its current incarnation is that record companies are too quick to capitalize, and they don’t allow artists to genuinely mature. But that is why it’s business and not art. Give the girl a few years and some basic cultivation (voice lessons, etc), and then we’ll see. I’m really tiring of these pubescent cash cows. It’s time that grown-ass adults take back the music industry. Why, why, why do children have more buying than we do? (That question is rhetorical, btw.)
“I whip my hair back and forth” ugh, makes me want to bang my head against the wall. Lots I could say, but I’ll just keep it to myself.
It must have something to do with $cientology, pimping the kids out. Tom Cruise will be pimping Suri out in movies and music soon, just you wait! They’ve been grooming her for stardom ever since she was born.
Not what you know but who you know.
i am with you Victorygin.
Allow me to state the obvious we are a world in serious decline, when s&*t music like this is given a pass.
this is disgusting and those of you that think this is cute and great should feel ashamed of yourselves.
seriously, this all kinds of wrong.
damn.
Boy, I wanna have rich famous parents..:(
How can Rihanna make only crap songs if those are made by Jay-Z aswell?
You have GOT to be kidding me??!! If she were “singing” this live she would NEVER sound like this. It is completely fabricated and the song is mediocre at best. She only has a cool style bc of a stylist and she only has a record deal bc her parents are famous. She is very cute,but I have to cringe at the fact that she will grow up thinking that she is a legitimate singer or “artist”. There is nothing artistic about this situation. She is NO Michael Jackson…
thats insane that they would sign their child over to JAYZ’s psychotic ass..smh..but who’s knows maybe they are psychotic too on the low..the song is cute but why is she dressed like its halloween everyday?? i never was a fan of will or jada or any celeb so to me this is just sad..poor little willow
I NOTICE HOW NONE OF THESE CELEB PEOPLE NEVER SHOW THEIR KIDS GOOD EXAMPLE LIKE WHAT IF THEY DIDNT HAVE THAT MONEY?? AND SAY TO THEIR CHILD LOOK HUNNY U CANT HAVE IT YOUR WAY JUST BECAUSE WE ARE FAMOUS..IDK ABOUT ANYBODY ELSE BUT I WOULD..U NOTICE HOW MOST CHILD STARS END UP BECAUSE THEY WERE SPOILED..TURNED OUT ON DRUGS DEAD OR IN JAIL..THEY NEED TO GIVE THEIR KIDS MORALS.
Pretty sure Rhianna has nothing to worry about from a little spoiled girl lol
Whatever happened to kids being kids? Why do they need record deals and stylists?
I get the whole “let them explore their creative side,” bit. So stick them in a performing arts school and get ’em a recording studio.
Well, at least the parents have control over what is going on. She won’t become a Lohan.
Some of you people are just angry! If your kids wanted to be a basketball player or dancer wouldnt you try to make that happen for them? Like putting them in classes or on teams! That’s what Will and J are doing. If you had the power you would make anything happen for your kids. So, SO WHAT! Get over the kids and get out and do something for yourself so you can do half as much for your kids one day *drops the mic and walks away*
@Deanna: big difference between getting my kids fashion stylists and record deals vs. Nurturing their talent.
Actually most people in professional sports & acting when asked if they want their children to follow in their footsteps usually they don’t want it for their child until they are old enough to handle it.
Like I said, I think kids should be kids. I am sure they will be fine b/c the Smith kids have parents w/a production company that can control the situation, but they still don’t need this type of exposure yet. I would assume being a regular kid (for them and their ilk) is hard enough.
(Usually don’t. Not “usually they”)
She has a stylist. She does not have a “fierce” sense of style. She is not “cool”. Her parents pay someone to dress her so that in a few years when her fan base has expanded she can have an olsen-twin type clothing deal at Kmart and make money. I am not jealous. I would not let my 9year old daughter sign a record deal no matter WHO I was. Its pathetic and weird and that song is AWFUL.
I TOTALLY AGREE..@hyuch
first of all, all that stress on children is fucked up i dont have kids but i know your not supposed to control your kids life…basically if willow doesnt sell records they will make her work harder i mean come on those kids cant and will never be kids..nobody is angry nor jealous@DEANNA..believe it or not i dont want that life style because thats not how GOD intended life to be its just the fucked up world we live in and have to deal with it FOR NOW…take it or leave it hun.
lol 🙂 i AGREE WITH LUKIE TOO :U
wasn’t there an episode of fresh prince about this?
willow vien chez moi j’aison msm elle vien a monmatny
i love you
fukin cute u beat jaden man
hey willow im jenae ure biggest fan how are u
if u want to no more about me add me on facebookand msn
my aunt is obsessed with ure brother
my number is 7587230579.call me please i want to hear ure voice i will not curse u cuz ure my biggest fan.ure dad is wonderful
.bye love yall
ya no she is famous too it may not b cuz of her parents and so wut do it really matter