The 9-year-old Roc Nation star talks to MTV News about filming the clip, her 'Warriorettes' and sticking to your grind.
By Rebecca Thomas
Willow Smith
Photo: MTV News
Willow Smith had a little help from her friends on the set of the video for "Whip My Hair." In the clip, which premiered Monday, Roc Nation's latest signee, joined by her crew of pint-size girls, turns a drab classroom into a kaleidoscope of color with a few energetic flicks of her paint-dipped braids.
"Having my Warriorettes there, my best friends caring — Jade, Angel Punky, they're just all my best friends — and my family there just made it even better," Willow told MTV News about the shoot when she stopped by Tuesday (October 19).
"Me and my friends were touching the oranges, 'cause they were, like, real oranges but they were spray-painted," she said. "It was gooey," she added, turning up her nose at the recollection.
The 9-year-old progeny of A-list actors Will and Jada Pinkett Smith explained that her BFFs are her Warriorettes, a supportive team that fully subscribes to the ethos espoused by her smash single "Whip My Hair." The outgoing tween, who describes her style as "schoolgirl-meets-punk rock," also opened up about the significance of the track.
" 'Whip My Hair' means don't be afraid to be yourself," Smith explained, "and don't let anybody tell you that that's wrong. Because the best thing is you."
A sampling of the lyrics bear that out: "We turn our back and whip our hair/ And just shake 'em off, shake 'em off, shake 'em off/ Don't let haters keep me off my grind/ Keep my head up/ I know I'll be fine." And a "Sesame Street"-inspired "Whip My Hair" remix taps into her chick-power message.
As for filming last month in Los Angeles, Willow, a girl firmly on her grind, said she "liked it" but admitted it could be intense at times.
"It was a long day. ... It was hard sometimes, but, like, if you have a commitment to that, you have to stick with it," Willow said.
Clad in circus pants, a military blazer and a Lady Gaga brooch, the upstart artist turned serious for a moment. "And it's not because I have to, it's because I want it," she said of her percolating music career. "Most people, if they don't want it, they'll just be like, 'Oh well, I can do that tomorrow' — is that what's called procrastinating?" she added with a grin.
What did you think of the "Whip My Hair" video? Let us know in the comments!
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