She's never been one to do things quietly - and her latest interview is no exception. In a new sit-down with NME, Willow Smith opened up about her time in the spotlight. And from the sounds of it, perhaps we could all learn a thing or two in the process.
For starters, she's already lining up to be the voice of our generation. "If anything you say could make headlines around the world, then you better say something that's going to inspire people," Smith explained of using her time in Hollywood to make a difference. Sure enough, she's gone on to accomplish just that.
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Eleven years after making it big with her breakout single, Whip My Hair, the 21-year-old star is still turning heads. But that doesn't mean it's always been easy. From her struggles with self-harm to her online stalkers, Smith is done holding back. And she hopes to encourage others in the process. "You need to show that life is hard for everyone," she explained. "We're all going through our own struggles... trying to figure out the most healthy ways to cope with the parts of ourselves that don't make us the most comfortable or that are that are scary to us."
Since dropping her debut album Ardipithecus back in 2015, Willow has lived true to those words. From its lead single Why Don't You Cry to the vulnerable lyrics it called for, her soulful music offered solace for thousands - millions - of others feeling her same growing pains. And it's only been up from there...
Today, she's welcomed a new roster of hit singles as she continues to make her mark in Hollywood. But whether Lately I Feel Everything is topping your Spotify playlist or not, there's one thing Willow truly cares about: "The one thing that I want my music to give to people is a place to feel seen and a place to feel free," she explained. "I just want more acceptance and compassion – people just be compassionate to people and have an open mind."
And on that note, amen.
