Willow Smith is showing off her vulnerable side in her new music video for "I Am Me," the pre-teen singer's latest song. Unlike her previous efforts, however, "I Am Me" is an inspirational ballad for all of the 11-year-olds (OK, and adults too) who are a little left of center. She's just trying to be fre-eeee, you know?
"It's just explaining who I am and what symbolizes me-like me as an energy, me as a person, just cool and rounded," the 11-year-old superstar explained to Global Grind.
When Willow released "Whip My Hair" in 2010, the mega-cute offspring of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith was dubbed "baby Rihanna". She was then signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation. Unfortunately, after the commercial failure of her third single -- "Fireball," featuring Nicki Minaj -- he album was reportedly pushed back to a late 2012 release.
The pint-sized singer has been criticized for some of her recent style choices. Willow debuted a new short 'do in early February and then she took her bold coif to a whole new spectrum, dyeing it neon green in March. In June, Willow posted a picture via Instagram of herself and a friend showing off what looked to be real piercings. Willow posed with her mouth open and a silver ball on her tongue, and it had parents -- and her fans -- concerned. Thankfully just as the hoopla surrounding the pic reached a fever pitch, Willow admitted the piercing was just a hoax: "It's fake... Sorry," she added to the Instagram photo.
Could "I Am Me" be Willow's response to all of media attention she's received this past year? Or is it a secret homage to her father's Big Willie Style? That button-down shirt does look like it came directly out of The Fresh Prince's closet.
Watch Willow's "I Am Me," shot on the New York City High Line and in Washington Square Park, above. Tell us what you think in the comments. For your summertime enjoyment, check out Fresh Prince's best hits below.
