'21st Century Girl' Willow Smith wins new-artist NAACP Image Award [Music video]

 

Willow Smith is the kind of chick who knocks you off your feet, or so she says in her "21st Century Girl" music video that dropped Friday. And it's hard to argue with that logic.

On a night when Tyler Perry ruled the roost, the kid won an NAACP Image Award for outstanding new artist (beating Nicky Minaj and Bruno Mars, among others), is set to star in a remake of "Annie" and has a recording career clicking along, all at the tender age of 10.

She was in the company Friday night of fellow winners Usher, Mary J. Blige and John Legend and the Roots, to name a few, though Alicia Keys' "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)" beat Willow's "Whip My Hair" for outstanding video.

Some more 2011 Image Award film winners of note: Halle Berry won for her "Frankie & Alice" performance, and the movie won for indie film. Denzel Washington was recognized for his turn in "The Book of Eli" -- besting Willow's brother Jaden Smith, who'd been nominated for "The Karate Kid."

Perry's "For Colored Girls" was named best film, and Perry also won the Chairman's Award in honor of his journey from difficult beginnings to a spot on Hollywood's A-list.

In the television group, "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" won for outstanding comedy series, with comedy lead-acting honors going to Vanessa Williams for "Desperate Housewives" and David Mann for "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns."

Click for more photos of arrivals at the 42nd NAACP Image Awards.

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-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Kimberly Elise and Tyler Perry on the red carpet before the 42nd NAACP Image Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on Friday. Credit: Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

Comments

[Hank]

This is terrible exploiting this child the smith's should get there heads checked and the naacp even worse this is done through the merrits of the parents and not the child a manufactured non talent let her be a child and not some phoney wanna be trying to be an adult shame on will and jada does the naacp ever give awards and acccolades to children that actually try to make a diffrence the real stars or parents for that matter. I'm guessing the naacp and all the people promoting this kid are being well paid by will and jada

[jazzyc]

Hey i really don't see any problem with Willow Smith. I think she wants to be a performer she is doing fine. Jada is not going to let her get out of control. I think we are going to hear a lot from her in the future. Stop putting her down she is still being a kid. Keep up the good work Willow you will make it.

[Jessica]

There is nothing wrong with Willow. So what shes 10 years old, the little girl has talent and its what she wants to do. No one said crap about::

Charlotte Church (started when she was 9; she had her first album @ that age) - but her parents werent famous.

JoJo (started when she was 11; she was signed & made her first album) - but her parents weren't famous so i guess it wasn't a "big deal"

...my point, there are tons of people pushing their childern to be on shows like "Americas Most Talented Kids" and Etc.

The only reason why people are hating on Willow Smith is because her parents are already famous. That's b/s. That little girl has talent and I believe if her parents had little to do with her fame (c'mon, willow actually has talent, unlike Miley Cyrus)

[Michael]

Pipe down, people- first of all, your days of slamming Miley Cyrus are over. Secondly, leave Will and Jada Smith alone- there's nothing wrong with them involving themselves with young Willow's current success as a performer, but she still has a long way to go. Furthermore, congratulations to Tyler Perry on the continuing success of both of his TBS sitcoms, House of Payne and Meet the Browns. I wish all parties all the best in the upcoming NAACP Image Awards.