It is really weird how privilege works. It hands you the whole world with just a few calls while also quietly feeding the fear that you never earned it. Willow Smith has faced a similar predicament ever since she decided to step into the entertainment business. The singer, despite delivering hits after hits, has been reduced to being just a product of nepotism. But slowly, the perception seems to be changing. 

Earlier this year, Willow Smith stopped by NPR for a five-song Tiny Desk concert. Her set included some old favorites, a couple of new songs from her album 'Empathogen,' and one world premiere performance. Recently, a clip from the concert, featuring Smith singing ‘Wait a Minute!’, resurfaced on Instagram Threads, and fans have since been praising the pop star for her chops. This Tiny Desk concert was held just days before Smith talked about her biggest insecurity- being uncredited for her talent and hard work because of her celebrated parents. 

During a May interview with Allure, Smith opened up about the nepo baby tag she takes along with her everywhere, protestingly. “People do think that the only reason I’m successful is because of my parents,” she said. The singer refused to stay in the shadow of her famous parents, though. She shared how this nepo baby chatter had fueled her to work ten times harder in order to prove herself. But now, she does not care about it anymore. “I don’t need to prove –it to anybody,” she added. And indeed, hard work speaks louder than words. 

Willow Smith Shares Sigourney Weaver’s "strong women" Quote Just Months After Revealing Her Own Insecurities

The internet is finally giving Smith her due credit as a musician– beyond the nepo baby chatter– as a viral video resurfaced across the web. 

Willow Smith has always claimed that she has worked hard to make her own name, and not just to be known as a daughter of famous parents. In fact, the 24-year-old feels her experience of privilege is different than other star kids, mainly because of her race. Nonetheless, it seems fans are now ready to see Smith in a different light– truly recognizing her talent as the factor behind her growing popularity. 

Fans praised Smtih, saying, “She has a really unique sound,” “Voice control is fire,” and even “The Fresh Princess,” referencing Will Smith’s rapper alias. However, there were also some who did not agree with Willow Smith being anything more than a silver spoon-fed star kid and slammed her singing, writing, “lol na anyone can hold a note,” “Nepo baby is preferred term,” and “Is the talent in another, unposted video?”. But as Smith had mentioned earlier, she does not care about proving herself to anyone anymore. 

Willow Smith Provides Insight Into the Insecurities She Grapples With as a Music Artist

What do you think about Willow Smith’s resurfaced clip? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!