Nepotism in industry does open doors and provide opportunities for those with connections, giving them a head start. However, it also overshadows their efforts and the credit to their success is more than often given to privilege rather than talent or hard work.
Industries particularly entertainment is full of nepo kids, which is short for nepotism baby. Recently, New York Magazine made waves with a cover focused on nepotism, highlighting celebrities with famous parents. The cover featured graphics of A-listers’ faces superimposed onto baby bodies.
The cover showed images of several nepo kids, including Dakota Johnson, daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith; Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis; and Zoë Kravitz, daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet.
However, Willow Smith, the daughter of Hollywood icons Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, has recently spoken up and now addressed the term ‘nepo baby,’ stating she doesn’t consider herself part of that category.
Willow Smith is an American singer, actress, and musician, best known for her bold artistic choices and unique style. Willow began her career at a young age, making her acting debut in the 2007 film I Am Legend alongside her father, Will Smith. Willow is pretty established now showcasing her talent as a musician. She has gained widespread fame as a musician with her chart-topping single Whip My Hair, which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Despite establishing her name in the music industry, Willow Smith has much to listen to from people. One user commented on social media, “Being rich is a springboard… being connected makes everything easier. Being privileged makes her think she could be where she is without realising connections help.” Another one added, “She should just own that yes it helped being his kid.”
In response, the singer told Zane Lowe, of Apple Music 1, the immense pressure she faced of living up to her parents’ legacy.
“I always just wanted to do right by my parents, and do right by the beauty that they have put in the world, and continue to uplift that beauty and to upload that beauty. And I felt a lot of pressure. So I’m just figuring that out in all these different ways, and it’s going to be a journey, and there’s more to come.”
In a conversation with Interview Magazine she further explained how over her long career in the entertainment industry, she has learned to trust her instincts.
“We’re kind of taught to question ourselves, and because I have so much respect for so many other artists, sometimes that turns into questioning myself. But when you put the work in and your heart and mind is in the right place, you can’t lose.”

In another more recent interview with Allure, Willow admitted to feeling a sense of “insecurity” when faced with questions about her career.
“I truly believe that my spirit is a strong spirit and that, even if my parents weren’t who they were, I would still be a weirdo and a crazy thinker. I definitely think that a little bit of insecurity has driven me harder because people do think that the only reason I’m successful is because of my parents. That has driven me to work really hard to try to prove them wrong. But nowadays, I don’t need to prove sh*t to anybody.”

Willow went on to clarify that she doesn’t believe the term ‘nepo baby’ is applicable to a Black woman.
“There have been some experiences where I went into a place that I have worked in the past and my picture could even be up on the wall, and they treat me like: ‘This is a little bit out of your price range’ or ‘You don’t really belong here’.
“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 be, ‘OK, 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.”
