JoJo Siwa doesn’t want to be a ‘little kid’ but her attempts to seem ‘cool’ are ‘too much’ – her shock value ‘isn’t new’
FOLLOWING her edgy style transformation, JoJo Siwa has been going for shock value in a big way with some of her on-stage antics.
And according to a psychologist, the Dance Moms alum's swelling popularity has "reinforced" her dramatic tactics, proving she's no longer a child star.
JoJo, 21, performed for fans through June at a series of high-energy Pride gigs.
In Los Angeles and Chicago, the ex-child star hit the stage and sang in revealing outfits.
But she was clearly looking to raise some eyebrows when she pulled out some Tito's vodka on June 8, swigging straight from the bottle in front of the crowd.
Even more shocking was an NSFW dance move in which the star put her hand down the bottom of her costume.
This followed similar antics on her 21st birthday at Walt Disney World.
"It's my 21st birthday; I'm drunk as f**k right now," she said in an Instagram video afterward.
On Saturday, at a New York Pride event, JoJo heckled the crowd.
She sang Guilty Pleasure while her dancers, who were dressed as teddy bears, ran their hands over her body.
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JoJo's new single release saw her dressed in gothic-inspired makeup and a plunging black catsuit.
Psychotherapist Dr. Marni Feuerman confirmed JoJo was “showing up differently" for her fanbase.
“This behavior is JoJo not wanting people to see her as a little kid anymore,” Feuerman told The U.S. Sun.
“She is trying to show herself as a woman making a statement and showing up differently.
“JoJo does not want people to see her through the lens of being a child - or that child - anymore.
"She is trying to say she is cool, stay noticed, and be memorable.”
JoJo has also been on stage groping herself and swigging vodka.
Feuerman added that, at times, JoJo's stunts were a step too far.
“The drinking on the stage and all the other bits and pieces was too much,” she said.
“This was about shock value and dramatics, but many celebrities have shocked like this. This was not new.
“The shock here came from seeing this abrupt transformation.
"The dramatic shift so publicly and quickly feels more shocking.”
Around the time of her makeover, JoJo shared how she felt exploited as a child star.
"I've seen people before me make this transition, I've seen how much I loved it, and I've seen also how much the world has criticized us, so I am ready for that.” she told People in March.
This also came as she released her track, Karma.
JoJo has been saying she does not want people to forget about her and that she is entering a new phase of life.
Dr. Marni Feuerman
The accompanying video showcased JoJo's daring new looks and attention-grabbing styles.
"I was a bad girl, I did some bad things/ I swear I did it all for fun and it meant nothing," are her lyrics.
NEW BEGINNINGS
Feuerman claimed JoJo had indeed kicked off a new era.
“JoJo has been saying she does not want people to forget about her and that she is entering a new phase of life," she said.
“She is a full-blown adult now and wants to ensure everyone is happy with it.
“Maybe it is possible that she was not happy before.
"It could just be her looking at that saying, 'That was me being a child, and this is now.'”
JoJo shot to fame in 2013 when she appeared on the reality TV show, Dance Moms.
The then 9-year-old’s energetic moves and cute looks captivated fans.
JoJo released singles such as Boomerang in 2016, attracting 940 million YouTube views.
By 2018, JoJo was touring and collaborating with Nickelodeon.
Some of the fans, followers, and people who love her are probably pretty young.
Dr. Feuerman
JoJo also shot a video with North West.
In 2021, she came out on social media as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
JoJo’s mom, Jessalynn, a professional dance instructor, has continued to support her daughter, and the two remain close to this day.
Alongside JoJo’s transformation, her fan base continues to grow.
In April, she pulled in 50,000 revelers at Pride in Miami, which was said to be the biggest yet.
AGE APPROPRIATE
Feuerman said despite her popularity, the star would need to consider the age of her audience.
“Some of the fans, followers, and people who love her are probably pretty young,” she said.
“They can be influenced, so JoJo should be mindful of that and strive to be a role model.
“Some of what she is about and wants to promote, like LGTBQ, are wonderful causes.
Many celebrities tend to reinvent themselves at various points throughout their lives and careers," she said.
Dr. Feuerman
“I would want her to use that power very carefully because what she says will be followed and influenced by many people.
“And if it's for the betterment of people, great.
“But someone underage seeing the drinking on stage, if they think it is cool, then they are going to try to drink from a bottle as JoJo did.
“I would want her to know how she influences a younger generation still following her.
“JoJo must start to be aware of her significant influence.”
MAKING LIKE MILEY
Feuerman reminded that other celebrities had followed a similar path.
“Many celebrities tend to reinvent themselves at various points throughout their lives and careers," she said.
“There are a lot of comparisons being made between Miley Cyrus and JoJo.
“It worked OK for Miley, which could also encourage JoJo to shift.
“Miley is a good example because she was a child Disney star and was doing something similar.”
Miley, 31, shared how she carried difficult feelings around for years after finding fame in 2006 as Hannah Montana at age 9.
The former Disney star struggled with body dysmorphia and, later, substance abuse issues.
She shocked fans when she posed in a bed sheet at 15 for Vanity Fair in 2008.
It is pretty notorious for a child star to struggle and have some psychological challenges as they transition into adulthood.
Dr Feuerman
Then came the famous tongue incident and twerking as a teen on stage at the MTV Awards in 2013.
Miley appeared naked in a clip for her track, Wrecking Ball.
"I carried some guilt and shame around myself for years because of how much controversy and upset I really caused," she told Vogue in 2023.
“Now that I'm an adult, I realize how harshly I was judged. I was harshly judged as a child by adults and now, as an adult, I realize that I would never harshly judge a child,” Miley said.
CHILD STAR
“Many child celebrities tell stories where they didn't feel like they were treated right as children,” Feuerman added.
“Or they were abused in some way, so we don't know.
“It is pretty notorious for a child star to struggle and have some psychological challenges as they transition into adulthood.
“JoJo did not grow up in a typical way, so she missed out on certain elements of a normal childhood and was in the public eye.
“All of those things might have impacted how she was treated.
"We do not know all that she may have been through personally.
"These aspects may have contributed to some of JoJo's decisions, which can seem shocking to many now."
“Unfortunately, with things that come off as shocking, often the emotions are negative," Fuerman continued.
"Overall, it has either a positive reaction or an impact.
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“If JoJo feels that she is reinforced positively, she will probably continue with it all.
"Even if she is getting a lot of criticism or people saying it's not a good look or they don't like it.”
