SHE’S been singing and dancing since the age of nine but Jojo Siwa insists she’s only just getting started.
And for the first time in her career, it’s on her terms.
7
7
7
In an exclusive interview at Bizarre HQ, JoJo tells our Jack: “I’ve been under so much pressure for a lot of my life.
“For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel pressure.”
Since coming third on Celebrity Big Brother in April, the Karma singer has revamped her inner circle, parted ways with her old management team and started releasing music independently.
In the past few months alone, she’s dropped three tracks, Bulletproof, a cover of Kim Carnes’ 1981 classic Bette Davis Eyes and her latest single Raspy — a tongue-in-cheek clapback at the world for mocking her attempts at finding fame.
Ahead of her UK tour, which kicks off in Glasgow on October 1, she is keen to team up with some big names.
JoJo explains: “I’d always say Lady Gaga is my dream collaboration but it’s never gonna happen. Now it’s Slim Shady.”
JoJo’s desire to record with Eminem was born out of an internet rumour which claims he hates her.
And JoJo wants to capitalise on it, adding: “I’ve thought about reaching out and being like, ‘Dude, there’s this pocket on the internet right now that thinks you absolutely hate me. I think we should play the entire internet.”
She adds: “I’d say: ‘You should do a killer diss track, rip me to shreds . . . and at the ending of the song it’s like, ‘Oh yeah, by the way, she wrote this.’”
While Eminem ft. JoJo Siwa could be a stretch, they do share a mutual friend — Sir Elton John.
Chris Hughes reveals baby plans with JoJo Siwa as ‘besotted’ hunk gushes over new love
7
7
The Rocketman sends her a Christmas card every year and when I ask if he could help with introductions, she replies: “I’m sure he could.”
After flying into London from the US for our chat, JoJo shrugs off the jet-lag and is bright and engaging — telling me her lawyers were signing off on two tracks on the day we met.
But fans keen for an album will be left wanting.
I’ve had so much pressure on myself, and I’d rather just have fun, and release, and write, and have a good time.
JoJo Siwa
“That is the burning question,” JoJo replies before firmly adding: “No.
“Prior to Big Brother, I was working towards a bigger project, I had an album, and I halted the whole thing as soon as I got out of the house, because I just feel a little more inspired right now to just write and release.
“The things I want to write about are happening right now.
“If Raspy was to go on the album, it wouldn’t come out for another nine months.”
As well as juggling new music and her tour, she is also in talks about a reality series on ITV.
7
And her critics — who rinsed her version of Bette Davis Eyes — don’t keep her up at night.
The cover has clocked up 1.1million streams on Spotify alone.
JoJo says: “Some stuff works for the wrong reasons, you know what I mean?
“People would say Bette Davis Eyes worked for the wrong reasons. And Raspy is working for the right reasons.
“But that’s so unpredictable. For me putting all my eggs in this one album basket for it to possibly do good, or probably not do good, I’d rather just not. Why put the pressure on yourself?
“I’ve had so much pressure on myself, and I’d rather just have fun, and release, and write, and have a good time.
7
“I’ve got lawyers signing off on two songs today. I got writers and producers working on another one that I’m recording when I go back home, and we’re cooking.”
JoJo will tour the UK, playing eight academy size venues in October.
But she’s not chasing the dream of arena tours, having sold out London’s O2 Arena at the age of 16 with her D.R.E.A.M. The Tour in 2019.
JoJo adds: “I already had a massive arena tour when I was very young, and I came to the UK and it was lovely.
“I became the youngest person to ever play the O2. And now, what am I gonna be, 22, trying to chase that?
“I had a team behind me just a little bit ago saying, ‘We need to get on an arena tour we need to sell those tickets so you can go on an arena tour.’
“Finally one day, I told my mum: ‘I’ve already done an arena tour, I’ve been there, done that.’
“I like this one now, like, I like it.”
And that’s all that matters, JoJo.
