Willow Smith Wows With New Ballad 'I Am Me' (Video)

An unexpected surprise at the 2012 BET Awards? Willow Smith -- not just the movie star progeny's mere presence arrival at the Shrine Auditorium, but her presence. 

our editor recommends

Will Smith Records 'Summertime' Remix With DJ Jazzy Jeff

'Whip My Hair' Singer Willow Smith Shaves Head

To wit: the 11-year-old's new song "I Am Me," whose video she debuted during the BET Awards pre-show, shows a maturity far beyond her tween years. The heart-warming ballad also showcases her impressive vocal chops, which sound surprisingly light on sweetening and heavy on talent.  

VIDEO: Will Smith Raps 'Fresh Prince' Theme on BBC One

Explaining the song and the clip, which shows a captivatingly androgynous Smith in various New York City locales acting, quite simply, like a kid, the singer told BET pre-show co-hosts Rocsi and Terrence J., "It's what symbolizes me as an energy and a person." Indeed, when it comes to her natural pull, there's no denying a bright future for the daughter of superstar couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith.