Photo CreditHey guys! So as I mentioned in yesterday's Sunday Cuteness post, Willow Smith, the 9 year old daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, has been blowing up the airways with her new single, Whip My Hair. When I first heard the song, I was blown away at the maturity of her voice. She sounded like a girl nearly twice her age! It is her 'mature' look, however, that has tongues wagging most.
We all remember when the half-shaved head came into rotation. Some embraced the look and some thought it was just plain silly. But when Willow Smith showed up with both sides of her head shaved, people began to ask whether or not it was appropriate for a girl of her age. Some people thought it was just too grown for a little girl. As time passed, Willow's been taking more chances with fashion and accessorizing her new hair with colorful ensembles and braided extensions. I have my own opinion about this but I really want to invite yours here first.
Some people may say that what she is doing is awesome because in an industry that usually tends to manufacture and churn out one look (long weave, tight skimpy clothes), little Willow is creating her own style. Her mom even said on Oprah that she was glad Willow's beauty didn't depend on the length of her hair. Others, however, might feel that she is just too young to take such liberties with her hair and clothes and that she should be dressed in a manner more appropriate for a 9-year old.
So, what's your opinion? Do you like the look, the fact that she is possibly setting a new standard for what Black girls (heck all girls!) can look like and do? Or, do you agree with those who think it's a bit too much for a kid? Weigh in!
I think it's a great thing that she is allowed to be expressive at a young age. I don't see anything inappropriate with her look and it's healthy for her to experiment and, as you say, set standards of individuality for young women growing up.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, why are people being so critical of a 9 year old anyway. She's 9! Leave her be!
I think sometimes people get a bit too focused on the age thing and forget about maturity. In some people, maturity comes earlier than with others - whether in the form of the responsibility they take for other people or the responsibility they take for themselves.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was Willow's age, I had extension braids in that didn't much help my hair. If, in allowing Willow to express herself in such a manner, her parents are making her aware of the consequences of such actions, and teaching her how to care for herself in a healthy way, I don't think it matters about the style.
Personally, I think less of the attention is because she's a kid, and more of it is because she's an African American female. I remember the fuss kicked up over Zahara's hair, and over Malia Obama's hair. When Maddox Jolie Pitt wore a mohican, I didn't hear half as much criticism of Angelina's parenting skills and he was 11 months old.
If I thought the style was all her idea, it would be one thing, but obviously a stylist is involved to create her "image." Way too much for a 9 year old. Those boots? Are you kidding me? Where can she go from here? I suppose we should be grateful that she's covered up for the most part...
ReplyDeleteThat said, I'm not sure when I started sounding like a grandmother!
I wonder why no one bats an eye when it's a boy with a mohawk?
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I think that more black parents should encourage their children to experiment (when it won't cause harm) instead of forcing their children to follow a mold.
IMO, her look is a bit too grown, especially for a nine year old. If i had a daughter, I would not want her to think her fashion should be so edgy, as Willow's is, because honestly, children should be children before they start to look edgy and over the top. Her voice is great, but she needs to harness that because children are so impressionable, and the impression she leaves is that childhood should be skipped.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't care for her style but I feel that she is presenting herself as an artist so she needs to have some sort of image. It's nice to see a kid with as much confidence and maturity that she has and I haven't seen her wear anything that is sexual in nature... so if her parents allowed her to have that haircut or her own sense of style good for her.
ReplyDeleteHer and her brother come off as little adults not because of what they wear but how they carry themselves. I think she could become a good role model for little girls.
I think the whole thing is too much. Not just visually, but the whole shabang is too much. She's being indoctrinated into an industry based on shock-value and things that are way heavier than just a haircut and a perm. Her look right now is very manufactured and marketed. It's just the tip of the iceberg of troubles to come and yep, she's too young.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of the song but I do appreciate her taking chances as far as fashion is concerned. My daughter has been known to dress a bit on the wild side at times – she has never been the typical ‘black girl’. She currently has bright red hair, dresses like a punk and rocks a gpa of 3.75, her outer shell is simply that…a shell. However, she has always been covered modestly. In the photos I've seen of Willow she always seems to have the 'goods' covered, which is my main concern. We can all have fun being daring but that is no reason to dress like you just turned tricks on the corner. Even at her young age there are FAR greater things she could be into that would be more detrimental to her health than her style of dress/hair.
ReplyDeleteI think Willow Smith is adorable. She obviously has a lot of talent and the haters she's singing about have manifested. She is lucky to have parents that allow her to express herself and I think her style of dress is very edgy yet age appropriate. As for her hair, I find it hilarious that parents who are getting their kids multi-colored weaves and even relaxers before the age of 9 are having a fit because the girl shaved her head. It's just an upgraded haircut! It will grow back and in the meantime, all I see is a very creative child.
ReplyDeleteI really don't understand where the criticism come from to be honest. It's hair. It will grow back. Yes she should be able to express her self through her hair and clothes, isn't that what they were meant for. I feel like whenever someone shows that they are different people want to call them out, tell them they are weird or something is wrong with them. The truth is that we are all different. Its just that most people are trying so hard to fit in with everyone else that they loose sight of that. Then hate on those who choose to embrace and love the fact that we are all different. She's 9 and she's dressed like a 9 year old...just an eccentric one.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any daughters, but if I did, she would NOT be dressed like that. Sorry, I absolutely hate it. At that age, how could she possibly know what she wants or know if it's even good for her? She will grow up wodering where her childhood went because she spent it being a miniature adult. Fashion sense is one thing, but a 9 yr old should not be fashion forward... Just my opinion, not all would agree...
ReplyDeleteHmmm... I don't really think her look has anything to do with "image", and everything to do with expressing who she really is, right now in this moment. Fashion changes just as the seasons change, and I think, being allowed to try on and pull off certain styles, and even identities is a healthy practice. I think its an extremely empowering practice actually. I hope that she continues to express the "her" that she is most comfortable being. She is lucky to have parents who allow her to develop organically instead of being forced into the category of "sweet little girl"... who says that edgy individual risk taker doesn't also equal sweet little girl =)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, Willow is looking fine!
ReplyDeleteI think Willow has a mother and a father who have clearly sanctioned her individuality. As an adult I am amazed at her confidence, that level of self acceptance does not come easy. So I'm going to worry about whipping MY hair back and forth and getting MY confidence level up to par and let Will and Jada go ahead and raise Willow
ReplyDeleteEverything about this image and style is too adult and entertainment focused in my opinion. Despite the fact that her parents are entertainers, I hope they are as focused on her education and academic success as they are on this Hollywood world.
ReplyDeletegood for willow. i wish i was that brave at age 9 :)
ReplyDeleteMy two cents:
ReplyDeleteThe main thing I wonder about is whether she's focusing too much on being seen. If she's dressing this way just because she likes it, then okay. Not my cup of tea, but okay. But if she's doing this just to be seen/noticed, then what is that teaching her? I really hope she's not learning to chase after attention, but rather to focus on living a good life outside of the opinions of others.
C'mon people! Willow is a nine year old girl who has two celebrity parents who are no strangers to fashion or the limelight. Meaning, she grew up around fashion forward people in a social circle that does not usually follow the typical dressing norms. Is it really any different from a child that plays dress up and insists on wearing his or hers costume out in public? For all we know, she could be wearing stuff right out of Jada's closet. She is covered and not hyper-sexualized and that's what is important.
ReplyDeleteUmmm, who cares??!! what do you expect when she has parent's (according to them) that have sex with other people to keep their marriage fresh!!! Blank Stare!!
ReplyDeleteLike anonymous, I have a hard time believing this is Willow's idea. She definitely has a stylist. Her family is involved in the entertainment business, which is a totally different world from the one in which the rest of us live in. That said, I think she looks cute. I think people are more critical of her parents and the other adults who are making decisions on her behalf.
ReplyDeleteWell I think it is interesting people think she is too young to be taking liberties with her own hair at nine. But, mothers all over take serious and harsh liberties with their children's hair when they relax them. I was relaxed at age 8 and recently started transitioning at 25. I would say if my mom asked if I wanted to do something like that with my hair...I think I would have picked the shaved head over the relaxer.
ReplyDeleteI'm a mother of 4, 3 boys and 1 girland I'm sorry but she sounds to grown and her parents are letting her look and dress too grown, she's 9 she should still be playing with dolls vs. worried about whipping her hair. This generation of kids are out of control as it is, giving them too many choices is not a good idea. Kids should be kids and Parents need to be PARENTS. She'll have plenty of time to express herself when she's out of the house and paying her own bills.. just my 2 cents.
ReplyDeleteI think a few people have said this already but it's amazing how a boy even at the age of five can get designs cut into his hair or get a mohawk or whatever and no one cares but let a girl get something funky done and we're all up in arms. Creativity and expression shouldn't have an age limit (within reason of course). We all love to sing the anthem "I am not my hair" but then when the music's off we have all types of opinions about why someone should or should not do certain things with their hair. If I were Jada, my main concern would be that she'd immediately regret shaving it and it takes a while to fix that, what with the growing out phase. Other than that...do you suga plum. As long as you aren't ACTING grown. Now that, I'd have a problem with.
ReplyDeleteP.S. she looks JUST like Will!
she should be playing with dolls?. at 9? why?.
ReplyDeleteMost kids in middle class households do NOT play with dolls at the age of 9. They have classes, attend tutorial sessions are creating pseudo careers in their heads and some are enacting them.
When I hear people say 'she is too grown' what I really hear them saying is 'she is thinks she is all that'.
there is not one thing about her outfit that is inappropriate, and I dare anyone to point it out.
Gosh. talk about culture of low expectation....
I can't believe someone is talking about stifling creativity until you leave the house and are paying ur bills. O_O dang!
I'm a little puzzled as to why people are saying Willow looks too "grown." How? Her style may be "edgy" but she isn't wearing anything immodest, she's not rocking 5-inch heels and I don't see her wearing tons of makeup. She's a preadolescent who's simply experimenting with her look, which is typical for kids her age.
ReplyDeletewillow looks like a mini rihanna...except rihanna is a grown woman and willow is 9! this is extrememly inappropriate
ReplyDeleteeveryone saying this is cute is ridiculous. if willow was an average kid walking around looking like this you know you'd be wagging a finger at their parents and whispering behind their backs. just cause willows parents are famous doesnt mean this is acceptable. i actually feel sorry for the poor kid if will and jada raise her this way.
I think there is nothing wrong with the style Willow has. She is a child of Will & Jada, I mean, come on, they are both wise and GREAT parents. She might be a star, but she is still a child, people are acting as if she is wearing and doing her hair styles without her parents permission. Obviously her parents love what she is doing, helping little girls and older girls see, they can be whatever and not let people put them down. I adore her song, I would really like if PEOPLE would let her do her. AND STOP COMPARING HER TO Rihanna (Although I love Rihanna.)
ReplyDeleteWillow is absolutely adorable. I have never seen her wear anything that is too revealing or sexual. The fact that she has the ability to be open and try new things is fantastic; children shouldn't be stifled from finding out who they are. Way too often it seems parents attempt to mold children to be mini versions of themselves and that, in my opinion, isn't healthy for the individual growth of the child. Listening to her in interviews she sounds like a 9 year old...fussing over time tables and homework..she obviously isn't too grown yet...
ReplyDeleteI think it is great how she dress and what she is singing about i love the fact that she is dressing like she is and not like a slut i think she could be a good image for girls show them they dont have to be naked. she is nine years old and doing her i think it is great
ReplyDeletethat girl is too grown and she need to be in school wearing her uniform and up in them books it's not too revealing but it's just not her age especially her hairstyle im'm just about a year or three older than her and she got a facebook page
ReplyDelete