Willow Smith’s new music video was just released – it’s for her next big single, “21st Century Girl” which I think is the follow-up to “Whip My Hair”. Was there another song in the mix too? I forget, and I don’t care enough to look it up. Anyway, the video. It’s… um. There’s an old lady playing with bones for the first minute and a half. For real.
Things I like: the costumes are kind of cute, and I like that the outfits seem like “dress up clothes” for kids, rather than adult themed hooker-wear miniaturized for children. I also like that the dance moves aren’t provocative and sexy – Willow looks like a kid who enjoys dancing, and she’s not thrusting her hips or anything. I also like that Willow looks like she’s genuinely having fun, you know? She’s not pulling an angsty Raccoon McPantless and looking dour and sad.
What I don’t like: the song isn’t that great, and you can tell that Willow’s voice isn’t that strong. I also hated the old woman at the beginning. That’s about it.
So… in the end, not the worst video. Good production value, everything is age-appropriate and fun, and yet… I’m still concerned. Mostly because I think Willow should be in school right now.
Photos courtesy of Fame.
She looks JUST like her dad
I think the “old lady” is Dionne Warwick!!! Let’s show some respect for a REAL performer.
Video is nothing special. Unfortunately it will be blasting from stores in the mall for the next 3 months. Ugh.
Edit: Old lady is Cicely Tyson. Thank you Lulu. Still need to show some respect for the “old lady”. She is a wonderful actress.
Willow is sooo full of Will. She’s a bundle of talent that has to perform. I think she has good parents so let’s hope they season her with the things necessary to develop a good character and an education, probably in the humanities. She’ll need it to survive where she’s going. (Bullet Train to Celebville…no stops)
jesus… the old lady isn’t dionne warwick..it’s cicely tyson.
That’s an actress by the way…I know her last name doesn’t end in Kardashian, so you might not be familiar with her work.
@LindaR:
Actually, that “old lady” is the wonderful actress Cicely Tyson. Most notably from the mini-series “Roots” and once married to the incomparable Miles Davis
Insufferable. And again, with the effin circus clown clothes and make-up. Who besides her parents has any interest in watching this crapfest or thinks this is good???!!!
And am I the only one offended by the “Boys need training” T shirt on a 10 year old girl?
Why does she feel the need to sound like that Ke$ha chick? I don’t find this original or interesting at all but that’s just IMHO.
It’s better than a lot of the videos I’ve seen coming out lately coughcoughanythingKeshacoughcough. She’s a kid for crying out loud! And no, I’m not offended by her T-shirt. It’s true, and funny.
I can’t decide what’s more awful, the song or the video. I’m guessing she can’t sing as all you hear is a heavily computerized voice. She would be nowhere if it weren’t for computers and her parents. Oh wait, maybe then she would be in school, where she belongs…
It was cute. I mean kids in her age group will like it, I liked it. I loved the concept of the video of pulling all these things from the sand that they wanted or something like that. I am not a very deep person so I didn’t entirely get it but I am sure the meaning was much deeper than I got.
I don’t know why people feel the end to say that Willow needs to be in school when we know she is in some kind of education program because it is illegal for her not to be. There are plenty of child actors, from poor and rich families, so why Willow all out of them needs to be in school more than the rest of them is beyond me.
OMG Lulu I knew that was Cicely Tyson. An amazing actress and pure talent. I love her.
P.S. She sounds like Kesha because everything these days is autotuned because no one can actually sing. At least I understand autotuning a 10 year old.
somebody should kill the stylist and the make up artist..
I like the visuals; I like her. Sounds like she’s learning what she needs to. GO!
I like Willow pretty much only for the fact that her outfits aren’t revealing and stutty. GENIUS.
that. is. awful.
will and jada should be embarrassed for paying that much for her career.
(why does everything sound like an easy-bake version of old lady gaga songs these days?)
mad-max beyond romper room
She will be absolutely STUNNING when shes older.. the video im not fussed on but the song isnt bad for the age group. At least shes having fun
Bottom line, if she wasn’t Will and Jada’s offspring, we wouldn’t be hearing this at all. And yeah, dead ringer for Will Smith. I thought that was a pic at the end of “Independence Day”, only an outake? And they reshot it with a wardrobe change?
THAT’S. IT! My tolerance level for Pinkett-Smith offspring has officially been exceeded. Please follow the evacuation-plan map and exit the Pinkett-Smith media machine.
(And it hurts me to say that, because I adore Will and Jada. But too much is beyond enough.)
Man, I really am starting to hate kids.
am I the only one to think this kid must be a monster at home?
Ugh, you just know the Smith kids must have a chronic narcissism pungent with an air of superiority.
All the best strappings that money can buy is seen in this video. Still don’t see the raw talent, Will and Jada money can go so far. Willow,screams and acts like she sees people doing in their videos she seems animated and directed that is not the performance of a person who is naturally talented,it’s so tranparent it ain’t funny! Even an outstanding actress like Cecily Tyson only money and star power could buy.
Um, yeah. We all could have lived without that. But the costumes are cute.
My 10 year old’s opinion of this video/song is…. “Strange”.
I think she has good parents so let’s hope they season her with the things necessary to develop a good character and an education
***********
The education thing isn’t happening. She has said in an interview: “I never really get to go to school because I am always on tour, or with my father. There is a tutor most of the time, but usually I am working so I never get to do the lessons. The worst thing about math is all the kids are ahead of me because they go to school.”
(actual quote)
So yeah, her parents better get on the education thing because before you know it, it will be too late.
She IS a really pretty little girl.
If Bieber wore a shirt that said, “Girls need training,” there would be an uproar.
Schooooool??? She don’t need no stinkin’ schoooool!!! Moms and Pops have already bought her a career. Let’s hope they set aside some cash for the therapy she’s going to need when she’s a clueless, talentless has-been at the ripe old age of 25. Good luck, child.
so.. she’s not really learning anything other than to be an entertainer? This is NOT good…. what is she going to do when she’s not a cute little kid anymore? NOT ENOUGH child stars become actual adult entertainers.. just look at the stats. Just hope Will and Jada put away PLENTY of money for multiple stints in rehab and bail.
Is anyone else concerned that the future looks like a boring Las Vegas, a concrete and glass city in the middle of the desert. An speaking of a somewhat boring future, the costumes are fun and definitely better than slutty-little girl wear, but they are just a rehash of the 80s, and I’ve been there, done that. I’d love to see a more imaginative vision of the 21st century. Just sayin’
I find her a little annoying, and she’s a child who does a good impression of an adult, but at the same time, the message seems fairly girl power and I can’t ever hate on that.
I think she’s just the cutest little thing. Her songs and such don’t appeal to me because I’m not 10 years old but I’m glad that she’s there with silly little fun dance songs that aren’t selling sex/drugs/alcohol/generally irresponsible behavior.
I’d rather have my hypothetical children listen to this than to be fans of Miley Cyrus or the Pantless One.
She’s beautiful. Not so talented though. The money behind this video was very evident but you can’t buy a voice, and she can’t dance. What she has going for her is two famous, rich parents, their connections, and an ego the size of a small planet.
OLD LADY…
such disrespect for the great Cicely Tyson.
HORRIBLE! Watching a 10 year old act sassy/bitchy is never cute. She is definitely putting on attitude in the video and who likes a young girl with attitude? NO ONE! And her shirt “boys need training” is rude and inappropriate for a 10 yr old girl.
I doubt the kids are horrible at home. Haven’t you heard Will’s song Just the Two of Us?
That’s just great – pimpin’ out your ten year old and teaching her that an education isn’t important. Whoever said that Will and Jada are good parents – I heartily disagree.
No sir, I don’t like it.
Sounds like Kesha and Ace of Base with about ten other track samples thrown in. And not in a good way (if there is one).
I remember when I liked Will Smith. It was about twenty years ago.
Just…no.
Please let the kid go back to school. Kinda hard to sing songs when you can’t read the lyrics.
Oh well I can’t believe I’m saying this but I actually liked the song. It’s refreshing, danceable and age appropriated.
I’m sure it will be a hit for the teens.
True she doesn’t have a strong voice, but she’s still very young and can make up for it.
The poor kid has no talent. It was very cruel of her parents to showcase that fact to the world. (Cruel to the girl, and to the rest of us).
cicely tyson, REALLY?
i could NOT even bring myself to watch it past :32 min.
i’m sorry but, that kind of grandiose posturing just turns me off!
just when i was beginning to like her…she becomes obnoxious. 🙁
Am I the only one who sees an ode to materialism in both the video and the song? Sure, I appreciate the age-appropriate clothing and dancing, but that’s about it. And that old woman at the beginning irks me. All I can think of when I see her in this “traditional African” costume is someone who’s a few generations older than Willow and who probably suffered genital mutilation. And then Willow goes and does a pop song. Weird somehow… But maybe I’m overthinking this?
I myself thought the song was catchy. I never heard that whip my hair song, but I like what I hear and think the girl has talent. Didn’t really get the clip but didn’t hate it either.
edit: I might add that for a minute at the beginning I was like “WTF am I watching a Michael Jackson clip or something?”
I think that she is not worth any attention and not worth discussing. She’s a 10 year old child and therefore not interesting. As for her parents….they made a consumer product out of her. My contempt for them knows no bounds. It’s sick.
Wow, we’re hatin’ on a little kid now? Great.
The music is not aimed at my generation but lots of the kids around here loved Whip my Hair, and I’m sure they’re going to like this too.
No, education is not important, neither is her doing her ‘maths’. zenu help us all.
at the very least, The Biebs can play the guitar.
she’s cute, it was alright for her age, she does have some inherited talent from her parents, look at all those other so called talent out there, if they can do it, so should willow, go girl!!.
The most offensive thing about this video for me is that Cicely Tyson stooped so low. Damn, lady. So much better than this!
Considering she’s just 10 or 11 I’m really shocked that people are expectly a really great song and voice. Don’t like the video but the song is okay. I prefer it to Britney Spears’ new songs.
She performs better than J-Lo does in her new video…which is really sad on many levels 🙂
I’m so sick of autotuned techno-pop. All the songs are starting to sound the same!
The song is cute just like she is. Calm down you jealous old biddies. She’s 10 – you’re not. Show some maturity.
Liana do you have a link to go along with your quote, not that I doubt your ability to quote verbatim but still…
Also the song isn’t auto-tuned. Its certainly techno either. There is some enhancing for her voice but again its not autotune.
Totally agree with Ariana.
I think she is absolutely adorable and her singing and dancing isn’t hurting anyone. Just ignore her if you don’t like her.
Well it looks like she was having fun, so good for her. Lord knows I would have had so much fun doing something like that at her age.
And that’s pretty much how I feel about this whole situation.
Oh yes, this is MUCH better than going to school (rolls eyes).
Education = BAD, mindless pop = GOOD
@56
I am neither old nor a biddy. can I still be jealous?
good point about the biebs wearing a “girls need training” shirt.
Who said that she’s not in school? Is that quoted by the parents somewhere? This child has rich parents. Rich parents can afford tutors. Tutors will come to the house – or out on the road wherever you may be – and teach you things. School things.
Her lifestyle may not be what I’d do for my own child but lets not beat a dead school. Horse.
She may not be dancing provocatively, but her shirt can be interpreted to have a sexual meaning behind it.
Not something I would let my 10 year old wear. But, my parenting decisions, my kids.
The video is a little weird, and the song isn’t that great. But, she’s 10. So, it’s not like I’m expecting much.
That said, I think she’s adorable! Plus, I would much rather be subjected to this than something like kidz bop. I occasionally work children’s events. Believe me when I say it could be much worse.
She’s cute. The song, while not MY cup of tea, is also cute. I really don’t understand why people are hateful towards this little girl. And jeez…it’s just a shirt. And I’d feel the same way if the Biebs wore a shirt that said “girls need training”.
It can’t possibly be good for a 10 year old to live this sort of life. Most adults can’t handle that sort of intense attention, there’s no way a kid is going to come out of that OK.
It’s really a shame there’s no focus on her education, her parents could afford the absolute best schools for her, but they don’t seem to care about that at all. Hopefully she always has good management, or people will be able to rip her off left and right.
here you go, Love Angelina: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/music-news/2010/12/10/being-on-tour-means-i-m-falling-behind-my-classmates-says-soon-to-be-superstar-willow-smith-86908-22774273/
Because I would make up something that I clearly cut and pasted.
Lilo redux.
Goes to show you money can create the illusion of talent. But can she really sing? Hard to tell with all the synchronizing music and polyphonic sound mixtures in her songs.
She’s very cute & so is her brother, but every time I see either one of them I think “too much, too soon.” Will & Jada Smith are going to rue the day they allowed their kids into the entertainment industry at such an early age. I don’t wish any bad on them, but I just know it is going to happen.
As the mother of a daughter AND a son, I found the “boys need training” shirt extremely rude. Like someone earlier posted, if it had said girls instead of boys, there would be a real uproar. The acceptability of anti-boy shirts is disturbing. I don’t see any sexual connotation. Just condescension.
That said, I think the video will appeal to kids. Her voice is good for a 10 year old, the little of her voice you can hear beyond the overproduction. It’s not bad, it’s not great but at least it’s age appropriate which is saying a lot.
I’m glad that preacher guy recently came out and put forth a theory there is no hell because I’m sorry to say this about any kid but I can’t stand either Smith off-spring. I know it’s not their fault but I find them obnoxious and annoying and frankly waaaay over-hyped. They’re too young to be riding their parents coat-tails but their parents strapped them on themselves so they’re just as bad. What a shame.
Acho que ela deve continuar a cantar!
Okay, got through half of it. Def. for the kiddies.
Wow ! little kiddie is great.
I believe that Will and Jada are very talented and have raised a beautiful family.
Many stars have kids that travel with them. Who knows what kind of education they are getting. If perhaps the Smith’s are the only parents in the world who made mistakes raising their kids, they will have to deal with.
There are very few naturally talented people out there. Live concerts usually sound awful. She has parents that have enough money to allow her to follow her dreams. Many child stars didn’t have much talent and their parents had them do things that was very compromising.. Let’s look at Brooke Shields and Alyssa Milano early in their careers. At least she has clothes on, she is not grinding, and she is following her dreams.
Honestly I think her ‘Boys Need Training’ shirt is only appropriate for her age group.
Thanks Rose. you summed it up:
Hating on a KID. grown folks find something better to do.
she is just 10 and with make up!!!!
I think its cute! I like the end with the little toddler girl and the butterfly.
And for all of those offended by her stupid shirt, the negative comments about this little girl here are meant to put her in her place(“training” to act like an appropriate little girl, one who doesn’t develop an “attitude” or gain confidence, or be proud of who she is.)
“Willow should be in High School now” EXACTLY! wtf is she doing doing al lthis music?? she’s been around for like 5 mins and I’m sick of her already! she needs to go back to school and have her youth back
If she were your neighbor, she’d be “talented, and precocious”– but because she’s a part of the Smith Full-Family Pre-Fab Media Team — she’s annoying.
I don’t think ANY 10-year-old needs to be making a video and touring. She is a CHILD. She needs to be in school with other CHILDREN, not pretending to be an adult. It’s creepy.
PEOPLE, just chill out already!! Her music is pop-ish, suitable and appropriate for YOUNG teens. They most certainly are not targetting grown adults with her act! This is the kind of music I listened to as a kid.
no need to create a controversary out of this. SHEESH! shes NOT the first and last young performer out there…
moving on….
@Liana: Yikes on that interview. That’s just sad. 🙁
To be honest I feel sorry for this child i really do. She is rich, has rich and famous parents and will probably not want for any material thing in life, but her music career is like forcing a big foot into shoes that doesn’t fit, but insist to her parents to buy it for her and they do, what happens to wearing that ill fitted shoe? I have tried to listen to her music as I would have done to a Micheal Jackson’s or Justin Bieber song, but I couldn’t stand a second of it. Where is her following like Micheal or Justin, her parents are trying very hard to make that happen but Willow does not have the voice nor talent.
I adore Will Smith and think he is one of the most talented actors out there, I hope he and Jada keep those kids grounded and humble, as Willl has always appeared to be.
My question is what s going to happen when Willow haa to sing in the Broadway show that daddy bought for her without auto tune? Annie is some serious performing chops. The music video stuff is a little obnoxious, but the Broadway show thing is wrong. Some things just must be earned. If she earns none of this there will never be any real respect for her as a performer.
This is really so sad. Regardless of her ‘talent’, growing up is tough enough without having everything you feel and do under a relentless paparazzi spotlight.
Willow needs to have her childhood and to be in school learning about alternate career path choices. Even Paris Hilton wanted to be a veterinarian as a child, but was managed and promoted by her parents into fame, and now says “I first wanted to be a veterinarian, but then I realized I could just buy a bunch of animals instead.” http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,155431,00.html
Having famous Hollywood stars as parents and a child star career is not a good thing. Little Willow could end up being the next Kim Richards, or God forbid the next female version of Charlie Sheen. Too much, too fast, and too soon.
I don’t understand why pushing a 10 yr-old into the glare of celebrity is OK if the parents are rich. I also don’t understand why not focusing on a child’s education is OK if the parents are rich. There are plenty of examples of what can happen to a person after being in the limelight for a significant portion of your childhood. And I’m not just talking about the child stars who have so very public burnouts after years of being a celebrity. There are plenty of actors who didn’t burn out, but who nevertheless, reveal in an interview or autobiography that they suffered quietly as a child because they didn’t have a childhood. I think that, like most people, the vast majority of celeb’s that have drug/mental health issues suffer privately to spare themselves the public shame. Just because some child stars seem to have transitioned to adulthood without crashing/burning doesn’t mean that as children they didn’t suffer.
I think in the interviews that have been linked by other commenters, it’s clear that Willow is losing out on important aspects of being a kid. You can’t buy that back, no matter how rich mommy & daddy may be.
Will Smith humble??? Are we talking about the same person? He is so full of himself I’m suprised his head dosen’t explode.
I’m sorry, but these Smith kids are a couple of spoilt brats.
@lola: nope; I’m thinking the same as you.
Maths??? Really?
Willow’s parents could easily insist that she spend sufficient time with her tutors if they cared about that particular aspect of her life, but clearly, education isn’t a priority in that family, and it likely won’t be any time soon. Honestly, if she wants to make kiddie music and seizure-inducing videos to match, fine. But at least ensure the child is keeping up with her studies.
I will wait for the Neil Young/Jimmy Fallon cover.
it’s a little… Kesha.
Gee Liana, that Scotland source sure doesn’t seem like a creditable source for information. I doubt any of that is true. The girl isn’t on tour, she hasn’t even released a full album yet.
Cute! Not only age-appropriate appearance and dancing, but the lyrics too. I liked the old wise-woman at the beginning, and the thing of modernity being born out of primordial stuff is kind of neat. Jenna’s right that it’s a little Kesha, but actually Kaiser, Willow’s voice is at least as strong as Kesha’s – which is pretty impressive given that she’s a twiggy child with no room in her body for her voice to resonate. She’s got pipes.
Lest you think I am completely un-bitchy, this video IS proof that canary yellow eyeshadow looks good on NO ONE… not even an adorable African-American kid with a lovely skin tone.