Willow Smith is hoping to bring in more Black representation within the rock music genre after opening up about her personal experiences with bullying because of her music taste.
In an interview with V Magazine, Smith revealed that she faced backlash for being Black and enjoying genres like rock, metal and pop-punk.
“[B]eing a Black woman in the metal crowd is very, very different on top of the pressures that the music industry puts on you, Smith said, according to V Magazine. “Now, it’s like an added pressure of the metal culture, the metal world, and just rock in general. I used to get bullied in school for listening to Paramore and My Chemical Romance.”
In April, the Red Table Talk co-host released “Transparent Soul,” a pop-punk single featuring Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. Smith said her upcoming album will include a feature from Avril Lavigne.
“I’m so excited that I’m going to be having a song on the album with Avril Lavigne,” Smith said, according to V Magazine. “She is so iconic. From 13 to 16, she was my idol. It’s really nice to be able to have a quintessential pop-punk record with the pop-punk queen.”
The 20-year-old is hopeful that she can help bring in more Black representation within the rock genre to let others know that they’re not alone.
“It’s a real thing, you’re not alone. You’re not the only Black girl who wishes she could flip her hair to the side and wear black eyeliner, you know what I mean? Smith said, according to V Magazine.