Willow Smith's 'Whip My Hair': A Dance Safety Primer

By Rebecca Macatee Posted Nov 1st 2010 03:00PM

You know that you've had Willow Smith's catchy hit 'Whip My Hair' stuck in your head. You've probably even caught yourself whipping your own hair to the beat.

YouTube videos of kids mimicking Willow's moves have gone viral and swept the nation. But before we round up all the cute 9-year-olds we know and get them reenacting Willow's headbanging moves, we thought we'd check with a professional on the safety of this soon-to-be iconic dance.

Dr. Terrence B. McGhee, a neurologist, was gracious enough to tell PopEater whether whipping one's hair back and forth could actually be a health hazard.

"In general, it looks pretty safe for a young person who has trained carefully for this specific maneuver -- if it's not performed excessively," Dr. McGhee said. "Having said that, I wouldn't recommend it for the untrained, or persons over thirty-five. [That's] when we begin to see X-ray evidence of degenerative arthritis in the neck."

So maybe dancing like Willow should be left to children. (That means Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith shouldn't copy their superstar spawn's dance moves!)

"Not to mention," Dr. McGhee added, "the rare and often fatal occurrence of carotid or vertebral artery dissection ... can happen at any age."

Got it. Whip your hair with caution.

After consulting an MD, we think it's safe for you to gather up the fiercest kids you can find and tell them it's totally safe for them to whip their hair -- as long as they warm up. They'll be starring in their own viral video in no time.

Tags: dance safety, whip my hair, willow smith

Comments

(45)

Monday 01 November

By Lenny

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I don't think anybody will copy Ms. Willow's hair style.

Tuesday 02 November

By Eviejoy

I don't think they are talking about copying her hair style, they are speaking about throwing your hair and neck around. Stop trying to be funny at a kid's expense. Even if it is a rich kid. You sound jealous. Dag!!

By GG357

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Thank goodness this family has Will - he's the only true talent - they all sponge off of him. Willow reminds me of her mother; arrogant and self absorbed.

By Butterfly

Sounds like we have some haters!!!!

By syndisworld

That is just so sweet that when your Daddy is a celebrity you can be as well. What ever hapened to talent? She may have some but not inthat song/video.
In addition I doubt that is her real hair. Wigs, hats, and weaves don't count. My seven year old daughter says the video as well as the song is just dumb. I agree. Let's not hurt our necks 'cause daady is a movie star.

By theneleventhhour

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i think she got the devil in her

By Anonymous

True, as the entire family (after all) are all devil-worshiping Scientologists. What a pity (and I used to admire Will's talent too.) SMH.

By Ann

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I love Willow.I know she whips her hair but she also whips her brain. This is not good for young girls to be doing. Its close to shaken baby syndrome. They get dizzy and fall down.

By Linda

IF anyone who is not a kid would want to sing this song, or whip their hair around to it then they got mental problems! I HATE that song, think it is stupid as the day is long, and am sick and tired of this family pushing their kids into the limelight and on us thinking they are ohhhhh soooo great! THEY ARE NOT GREAT! I cannot stand these kids, or the wife for that matter either!

Thursday 04 November

By lily

so viscious u are
jealous much?
do u ppl actually listen to urselves?

By Lames on AOL

Hey she's a 9 year old girl do you guys realize your hating on a 9 year old child lmaooooooo don't be mad your kid isn't on tv and if you dont like it SIMPLY DONT WATCH it you do know you have the power to not watch it dont you moronssss lollll WHIp YOU HAIR WILLOW AT THESE LAMESSSSS LMAOOOOO get yall some lives

By Runn70

I agree. She is 9 years old and people are getting upset and saying she is sponging off her father. What.....Will is her FATHER, her parent, her guardian etc. Explain to me how she is sponging off the person who is raising her. Plus...what's wrong with having some fun? Damn people....some of ya'll really have some daddy issues or somethin'.

By Grownasswoman

I am soooo glad you said it, cause you have to be pretty jealous to bash a 10 year old! I don't know why people won't take it for what it is, a fun dance song and video! Kids like it and emulate it because its for them, not people who has the option of not looking at it!

By Jannisha

Willow is making money and everyone is hattN on the girl. Damn she 9 and already got hatters. I bet she's loving it and when people talk about her that makes her more famous. Will and Jada did that, that's Y I love them!

By rtjttodd

Annoying!

By napl

strange little guy.. and the whipping of the neck..well just got that ...from getting in motor vehicle accident... called whiplash! ha..and his dad can pay the medical bills.. so no worries for the little rapper! cute fad...didn't DEVO do something like WHIP IT????? copy cats?

By michael

What next? Ellen had some little girl on who dance supposedly like Willow and she was pathic. Pimp out your kids. I was such a huge Will Smith fan I can't believe he is doing this to his children and I can't believe people are buying it. Absoluetly no talent.

By jlr1683

That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen! I hope she has a backup career in mind.

By vanessa

Mean as you can be is what the world needs.....especially since it is directed at a "KID"!!!!!!!! The best that can happen is she says something horrible about the ones who talk badly of her it will be appropriate, she's just a child!!!!! (hint hint)

By notthebiggestfan

My daughter is only 6 but I don't think I'll let her watch this video. I thought the song was terrible and some of those dance moves were a little ...hmmm... for a 9 year old. Call me old fashioned but why rush the kids into adulthood? Let them ENJOY being children.

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