Table of Contents
Video Version of this Article
Photo: JoJo Siwa/TinselTown/Shutterstock
Many of today’s biggest stars got their foot in the door early by working as child stars. Some of the most popular names in Hollywood, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Gosling, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt all began acting long before they could get a driver’s license. Even musicians like Fergie, Drake, and Britney Spears took their turns to show off their acting chops before pursuing music full time. Love it or hate it, child stardom is continuously pursued by children and parents alike, and often results in an industry career through adulthood.
Related article: OSCAR-NOMINATED – EXCLUSIVE: ‘Dune’ Full Commentary, Reactions, Making Of – Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac
Related article: OSCAR-NOMINATED – ‘House of Gucci’ Full Commentary & Behind the Scenes – Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Al Pacino
Related article: OSCAR-NOMINATED – ‘Belfast’ Full Commentary & BTS – Jamie Dornan, Caitriona Balfe, Judi Dench
Related article: OSCAR-NOMINATED – ‘West Side Story’ Full Commentary – Rita Moreno, Steven Spielberg, Rachel Zegler
Related article: OSCAR-NOMINATED – ‘No Time to Die’ Full Commentary, Behind the Scenes & Reactions, Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Bond
Frequently, we only look at child stars after the fact, finding credits in the depths of our favorite actor’s IMDB page, but that’s not always the case. For almost a decade we’ve been watching a child star blossom into a genuine, grown-up celebrity before our very eyes in the form of JoJo Siwa. At eighteen years old, many would still consider her a child, hardly out of high school and mere months into adulthood, but since her initial childhood stardom, her career has lived a life of its own.
‘Dance Moms’ and Early Beginnings
JoJo’s mother, Jessalynn Siwa, was a professional dance instructor and owned studios JoJo’s whole life. So, when the pair decided that a young JoJo would be pursuing stardom, dancing was the venue of choice. JoJo made her television debut at only nine years old in 2013, on season two of ‘Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition’, a ‘Dance Moms’ spinoff. In her first episode, Jessalynn stated that it was her life’s mission to make JoJo a star. While that is immense pressure to put on a little kid, it’s safe to say her mission was accomplished.
Related article: EVOLUTION: Every Henry Cavill Role From 2001 to 2021, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant
Related article: EVOLUTION: Every Chris Evans Role From 1997 to 2020, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant
Following her elimination on ‘Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition’, JoJo found her way to ‘Dance Moms’. JoJo competed on ‘Dance Moms’ for two seasons, during which she launched her own YouTube channel, amassing over 12 million subscribers. JoJo’s reality stardom launched her career, sending masses of people toward her YouTube channel and giving her a platform to pursue other ventures, primarily music. JoJo’s single ‘Boomerang’ was released in 2016 and was incredibly successful, launching her music career and gaining platinum certification along the way.
Nickelodeon and A Growing Brand
JoJo left Dance Moms during her second season, a shorter than average stint on the show. The show made it seem that JoJo left due to disagreements on a number and many speculated about the true reason for her abrupt exit, be it bad blood or poor treatment, but in reality, JoJo was presented with an offer she couldn’t refuse; A contract with Nickelodeon. In 2017 JoJo signed with Nickelodeon and began appearing on swaths of Nickelodeon programs, from appearances on sitcoms in a cameo or brief guest role, presenting ‘Lip Sync Battle Shorties’ with Nick Cannon, to Nickelodeon original movies.
Related article: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase: “The Importance of Venice Film Festival as the Protector of Cinema”
Related article: The Masters of Cinema Archives: The Hollywood Insider Pays Tribute to ‘La Vie En Rose’, Exclusive Interview with Director Olivier Dahan
Related article: – Want GUARANTEED SUCCESS? Remove these ten words from your vocabulary| Transform your life INSTANTLY
Related article: #metoo Revolution: Powerful Questions That Need Answers
Related article: FACT-CHECKED Series: Timothee Chalamet and 32 Facts about The Young Superstar
Her Nickelodeon work took JoJo from a child on some reality television to an entire brand. In 2016 JoJo partnered with Claire’s to produce a line of her signature hair bows, and things only escalated from there. Soon JoJo was releasing books, clothing, bedroom decor, cosmetics, dolls and nearly anything else that could be branded toward young people. It’s almost guaranteed that one will come across some JoJo branding in any Walmart or Target nationwide. JoJo was a household name, whether there were kids in the house or not. She was a celebrity, she was a brand and she was admired by kids across the globe.
JoJo Siwa – Coming Out and Growing Up
In January of 2021, JoJo posted a TikTok lip-syncing to Lady Gaga’s ‘Born this Way’, implying that she may be a part of the queer community. She posted a follow-up video on her Instagram confirming what the internet had thought, she had, in fact, come out. Soon after JoJo announced that she had a girlfriend. This was unlike most of the comings out we’ve seen from celebrities, this was bigger. JoJo’s audience was primarily young kids who looked up to her. She was already positive and covered in glitter and bright colors, making her a good, non-toxic role model for children, but now kids could have a queer role model to look up to.
Related article: MUST WATCH – The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s Love Letter to Black Lives Matter – VIDEO
Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here.
JoJo was met with overwhelmingly positive support. Many parents were grateful to be able to educate their children on the variety of identities a person can hold and many young queer people were beyond thankful for the representation. Even older queer folk who had not grown up with JoJo accepted her with open arms, happy to have such a bright light in the LGBT community. JoJo’s coming out was monumental, not only establishing her as a queer icon, but also giving young people a positive example of queerness in their day-to-day lives.
It’s Time to Take Her Seriously
In 2021 JoJo made waves when she began competing on ABC’s ‘Dancing With The Stars’. JoJo competed with dancer Jenna Johnson and the pair was the first same-sex couple to compete in the show’s 30 seasons. This was huge for JoJo’s career, proving herself as a serious and talented dancer, making strides toward inclusion on television, and bringing her from children’s media to a larger, older audience.
Limited Time Offer – FREE Subscription to The Hollywood Insider
JoJo’s Nickelodeon contract has ended and the more mature side of her career is only just beginning. It was recently announced that JoJo would be a judge on an upcoming season of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, further cementing her both in the dancing world as well as in primetime television. JoJo made a name and a brand for herself and is now shifting and adjusting it to grow alongside her. She is an absolute genius of a child star, seamlessly shifting from children’s content to following her own passions and creating the content she truly loves.
By Lara Glennon
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV. media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
More Interesting Stories From The Hollywood Insider
– Want GUARANTEED SUCCESS? Remove these ten words from your vocabulary| Transform your life INSTANTLY
– A Tribute to Martin Scorsese: A Complete Analysis of the Life and Career of the Man Who Lives and Breathes Cinema
– Do you know the hidden messages in ‘Call Me By Your Name’? Find out behind the scenes facts in the full commentary and In-depth analysis of the cinematic masterpiece
– A Tribute To The Academy Awards: All Best Actor/Actress Speeches From The Beginning Of Oscars 1929-2019 | From Rami Malek, Leonardo DiCaprio To Denzel Washington, Halle Berry & Beyond | From Olivia Colman, Meryl Streep To Bette Davis & Beyond
– In the 32nd Year Of His Career, Keanu Reeves’ Face Continues To Reign After Launching Movies Earning Over $4.3 Billion In Total – “John Wick”, “Toy Story 4”, “Matrix”, And Many More
jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa, jojo siwa
Author
Lara Glennon is an aspiring screenwriter looking to share her love and passion for all things film and television. She aims to use her writing to shine a light on artists who are working to make change, both in media and in the world. The Hollywood Insider’s focus on substance over gossip is perfect for Lara, as she wants to highlight the good in the world and those who create it. She enjoys spending her time creating and consuming art, searching for unique voices and ideas in media.
Lara Glennon is an aspiring screenwriter looking to share her love and passion for all things film and television. She aims to use her writing to shine a light on artists who are working to make change, both in media and in the world. The Hollywood Insider’s focus on substance over gossip is perfect for Lara, as she wants to highlight the good in the world and those who create it. She enjoys spending her time creating and consuming art, searching for unique voices and ideas in media.
