What the Hell is Going On with JoJo Siwa?

JoJo Siwa, What is Going On?

Pop artist JoJo Siwa first hit the scene on the popular reality show Dance Moms. With her big hair bows, cute as a button over-the-top smiles, glitter eyeshadow, and Shirley Temple personality, she was a lot to take in. From that show, she created her own brand, becoming almost Olsen Twin-like with her fan following and merchandise legacy. With millions of views on her YouTube channel, she established deals at Target, Walmart, and JCPenney for dolls, clothing, hairbows, you name it. All from that little TV show.

Check out when this little tyke got a car far more fancy than I have ever owned. Delightful.

Fast forward to 2021, when she came out as LGBTQ. From then on, her behavior and sound bytes have become, well, interesting. Recently she's been in the news for a bevy of comments and for her interesting choice of fashion. And a lot of the social media gays aren't having it. She's clearly exploring her personality and wants to push the envelope - is it her on her journey or is she trying to cause a stir just to grab headlines?

This month, JoJo dropped her new single Karma, along with a music video that has her clearly grown up, gyrating next to and dry-humping fellow female dancers. Where's Abbey Lee Miller screaming in the background? That's what we really miss.

Though we support anyone on their sexual revolution journey, to some this seemed forced and a bit much, with little sincerity. Reactions to her new music have been mixed, mostly negative from critics and social media. Her adult-style rebrand is being called into question.

 

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Social media really lost it when she wore her new look to the iHeartRadio Awards on the red carpet. Even though Gene Simmons reacted positively, the number of bad Kiss references was crazy.

 

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This is new gay pop?

 

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Siwa was also called to the carpet for her interview with Billboard where she said she wanted to create a new genre, "gay pop." Um, what? Famous artists, influencers, and the common gay went on the social media attack.

@lemongayde #stitch with @billboard i saw someone say she has what jlo has and i cannot agree more #lgbtq #queer #fypシ #queercommunity #lesbiansoftiktok ♬ original sound - ZB

But clearly, JoJo is enjoying the new headlines and doesn't give an F.

 

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She just performed at Miami Beach Pride and broke records for the biggest audience in attendance. She continued her new bad girl persona by kissing and dancing provocatively with her dancers, and the audience apparently ate it up.

 

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"Karma" has gone viral though, whether for good or bad, and is charting on iTunes. So is bad press good press? Is she doing anything for the LGBTQ cause other than making us look ridiculous? Is she trailblazing a new era for queer pop artists? What the hell is going on, JoJo Siwa?

Have any gay news to report?

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