Will Smith reveals why Willow dropped out of "Annie" movie remake

During a recent appearance at Temple University with Sister Soulah for their “Real Talk With Sister Souljah and Will Smith” panel, movie star Will Smith spoke candidly about how life in the spotlight was putting stress on daughter Willow.  It was first reported that Willow had outgrown the role of “Annie”, but now,Will says she made the decision to be a child…and not a child “star.” He told audience,

Willow was supposed to be doing ‘Annie,’ we got Jay-Z to do the movie, got the studio to come in and Willow had such a difficult time on tour with ‘Whip my Hair’ and she said, ‘You know Daddy, I don’t think so’ and I said, ‘Baby, hold up! I said no, no, no, listen, you’ll be in New York with all of your friends and Beyoncé will be there. You will be singing and dancing,’ and she looked at me and said, ‘Daddy, I have a better idea, how about I just be 12.’ I’m really learning through Willow the necessity that we have to snap ourselves back and refocus on the emotional needs of the people that we love. Someone’s emotional needs can be very very different from your dreams and what you think they should be doing and where they are supposed to be.”

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