JoJo Siwa
Joelle Joanie "JoJo" Siwa (born May 19, 2003) is an American dancer, singer, actress, and YouTube personality. She is known for appearing for two seasons on Dance Moms along with her mother, Jessalynn Siwa, and for her singles "Boomerang" and "Kid in a Candy Store". Siwa posts daily videos of her day-to-day life on her YouTube channel, "Its JoJo Siwa".[5] She was included on Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020.
JoJo Siwa | |||||||||||||
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Siwa in September 2018 | |||||||||||||
Born | Joelle Joanie Siwa May 19, 2003[1] Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. | ||||||||||||
Occupation |
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Years active | 2013–present | ||||||||||||
Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||||||||||||
Parents |
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Relatives | Jayden Siwa (brother) | ||||||||||||
Musical career | |||||||||||||
Genres | |||||||||||||
Instruments | Vocals | ||||||||||||
Labels | JoJo Siwa Entertainment | ||||||||||||
YouTube information | |||||||||||||
Channels | |||||||||||||
Years active | 2015–present[4] | ||||||||||||
Genre | |||||||||||||
Subscribers |
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Total views |
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Updated: January 24, 2021 | |||||||||||||
Website | itsjojosiwa |
Early life and career
Joelle Joanie Siwa was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 19, 2003, to Jessalynn Siwa (née Lombardi), a professional dance instructor from Iowa, and Tom Siwa, a chiropractor from Nebraska.[6][7] She has one sibling, an older brother named Jayden Siwa, who is also a vlogger.[8]
Siwa started her career as a top-5 finalist and the youngest contestant on the second season of Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition, produced by Abby Lee Miller of Dance Moms fame.[9] She appeared on the show with her mother and was eliminated in week 9.[10] Siwa soon began to appear on Dance Moms, beginning with auditioning for Miller's "ALDC" dance competition team in 2014 and being selected for the team in early 2015.[11][12][13]
In May 2016, Siwa released "Boomerang" for download and a previous single, "I Can Make U Dance." "Boomerang" addresses the subject of online bullying.[11][14] Its video has been viewed more than 900 million times and received over 2.5 million likes. In 2018, Siwa was named the Breakout Artist of the Year by Vivid Seats.[15]
In 2018, Siwa announced that she would be going on her first major concert tour in 2019, entitled D.R.E.A.M. The Tour. She was scheduled to visit a mixture of theaters, outdoor amphitheaters and stadiums, as well as indoor arenas in a total of 52 cities across the United States and Canada. Additionally, other performances would take place in the United Kingdom and Australia. The tour was scheduled to begin in Phoenix, Arizona on May 17. The first leg of the tour was scheduled to conclude on June 26 in Austin, Texas, before resuming for leg two on July 10 in Orlando, Florida. The final date of the second leg is scheduled to be on August 20 in Vancouver, Canada.[16] She was included on Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in September 2020.[17]
Other ventures
Known to audiences for wearing large, colorful bows in her hair, Siwa released a line of bows in 2016: JoJo's Bows, to be sold at Claire's, a fashion-accessory company aimed at 6-to-12-year-old girls. Her bows found a strong following among primary-school pupils in the United Kingdom. They were ultimately subject to bans as teachers discovered that students unable to afford the bows, which retail for approximately £8 to £12 each, were bullied by their peers. Other reasons these schools gave for the bans were distraction, harmed students' concentration, and violated the schools' dress code policies.[18] Due to the bows' price and popularity, some stores began selling similar, homemade bows.[19] In 2017 Siwa, whose bows are featured heavily in her music videos and general wardrobe, said they are a "symbol of power, confidence, believing-ness."[19]
Siwa subsequently partnered with the American department store J. C. Penney to release a line of accessories, bedroom decor, and a doll made in her likeness and has released several books aimed at young children.[20][21]
In June 2019, the FDA issued a warning about dangerous levels of asbestos in a JoJo Siwa-branded cosmetics kit, prompting Claire's to recall the product.[22][23]
Siwa signed with Nickelodeon in 2017. She was in the film Blurt! with Jace Norman and the show Lip Sync Battle Shorties with Nick Cannon.
Siwa later appeared in season 3 of The Masked Singer portraying T-Rex. At the age of 16, she is the youngest contestant to appear on the show.
In January 2021, Spin Master created a card game called "JoJo’s Juice" which contained questions about nudity and theft despite being marketed toward children ages 6 and older.[24] Siwa later apologized and claimed she was not involved in the game's content development; the game was recalled from all toy store shelves.[25]
Personal life
Siwa was in a relationship with TikTok star Mark Bontempo from August to November 2020.[26][27] She came out as being in the LGBTQ+ community on social media in January 2021. After being asked what her label was by a fan, Siwa stated that she is not labelling her sexuality as she "doesn't really know this answer".[28][29][30] In February 2021, she revealed that she has a girlfriend.[31]
Bibliography
- JoJo's Guide to the Sweet Life: #PeaceOutHaterz (2017)[32]
- Things I Love: A Fill-In Friendship Book (2018)
- JoJo Loves BowBow: A Day in the Life of the World?s Cutest Canine (2018)
- JoJo's Guide to Making Your Own Fun: #DoItYourself (2018)
- Take the Stage (JoJo and BowBow Book #1) (2018)
- Candy Kisses (JoJo and BowBow Book #2) (2019)
- The Posh Puppy Pageant (JoJo and BowBow Book #3) (2019)
Filmography
Television series
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2013 | Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition | Contestant | 10 episodes |
2015 | The View | Herself | Performed in group dance "Together We Stand"[33] |
Good Day L.A. | Herself | Guest[34] | |
Good Day New York | Herself | Guest[35] | |
2015–16 | Dance Moms | Herself | Season 5–6 |
2016 | Nickelodeon's Ultimate Halloween Costume Party | Ghost/Creepy Girl | |
Make It Pop | Herself | Episode: "Summer Splash Spectacular"[36] | |
Bizaardvark | Herself | Episode: "Bizaardvark vs. Vicki 'Hot Head' Fuego" | |
The Thundermans | Nora's Fan | Episode: "Thundermans: Banished!" | |
2017 | Nickelodeon's Not-So-Valentine Special | Girl with Heart/Dancer[37] | |
Nickelodeon's Ultimate Halloween Haunted House | Herself | ||
Lip Sync Battle Shorties | Herself | Main role | |
School of Rock | Audrey | ||
JoJo Siwa: My World | Herself | ||
2018 | The JoJo and BowBow Show Show | Herself[38] | |
2019 | JoJo's Dream Birthday | Herself | |
SpongeBob SquarePants | Cameo | Episode: "SpongeBob's Big Birthday Blowout" | |
All That | Herself | Episode 1106 | |
JoJo's Follow Your D.R.E.A.M. | Herself | ||
Keeping Up with the Karadashians | Herself | Season 17, Episode: "Three’s Company" | |
JoJo's D.R.E.A.M Concert | Herself | ||
Middle School Moguls | Josie (voice) | Episode: "Mo-Gul Money, Mo Problems" | |
2020 | The Substitute | Herself | Episode: "JoJo Siwa" |
The Masked Singer | Herself/T-Rex | ||
Celebrity Watch Party | Herself |
Films
Year | Title | Role |
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2018 | Blurt! | Victoria |
2019 | The Angry Birds Movie 2 | Jay and Kira (voice) |
Music videos
Year | Title | Performer(s) | Album |
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2020 | "I Believe in Santa"[39] | Meghan Trainor | A Very Trainor Christmas |
Discography
Extended plays
Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
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US Kid [40] | ||
D.R.E.A.M. The Music |
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22 |
Celebrate |
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12 |
JoJo's Rockin' Christmas |
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17 |
Singles
Title | Year | Certifications | Album |
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"Boomerang" |
2016 |
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Non-album singles |
"Kid in a Candy Store” | 2017 |
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"Hold the Drama” |
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"Every Girl's a Super Girl" | 2018 | ||
"High Top Shoes" | |||
"Only Getting Better" | D.R.E.A.M. The Music | ||
"Bop!" | 2019 | Celebrate | |
"Nonstop"[45][46] | 2020 | Non-album singles |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominated person or work |
Result | Ref. |
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2015 | Industry Dance Awards | Dancers Choice Awards Favorite Dancer 17 & Under |
JoJo Siwa | Nominated | [47] |
2016 | Won | [48] | |||
Reality Television Awards | Most Heartfelt Moment | Dance Moms | Won | ||
2017 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Viral Music Artist | JoJo Siwa | Won | |
2018 | Favorite Musical YouTube Creator | Won | |||
2019 | Favorite TV Host | Nick Cannon & JoJo Siwa (Lip Sync Battle Shorties) | Nominated | ||
Favorite Social Music Star | JoJo Siwa | Won | |||
2020 | Won | [49] |
References
- "Jo Jo Siwa Biography". Biography. Biography. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
- Frederick, Brittany (December 7, 2018). "5 things you didn't know about JoJo Siwa". AXS. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- Nguyen, Terry (July 22, 2019). "If you're 7 years old, JoJo Siwa is the most famous person in the world". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- Siwa, JoJo. "Its JoJo Siwa". YouTube. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- Bentley, David (July 26, 2017). "This is what happened when JoJo Bows star came to Birmingham". birminghammail. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- ""back pain, neck pain", carpal tunnel, sciatica, disc herniation". Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- Nevans-Pederson, Mary (October 15, 2013). "Mother, daughter step into spotlight". Telegraph Herald. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- Its JoJo Siwa (September 13, 2017). "YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS TO BELIEVE THIS!!!". Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- Siwa, JoJo. "Meet JoJo" Archived 2016-10-11 at the Wayback Machine, ItsJoJoSiwa.com, accessed July 19, 2016
- "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition Divas in the House: JoJo Eliminated", November 6, 2013, July 19, 2016
- Angermiller, Michele Amabile (May 5, 2016). "'Dance Moms' Star JoJo Siwa Takes on Bullying in 'Boomerang': Exclusive First Listen". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
- "'Dance Moms' Season 6 Spoilers, News & Update: JoJo Siwa Kicked Out From ALDC? Debbie Allen To Replace Abbie Miller?". Gamenguide. October 26, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
- Schumann, Rebecka (January 14, 2015). "Who Is JoJo Siwa? Meet The Newest 'Dance Moms' Season 5 Star". International Business Times. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
- JoJo Siwa Confronts Bullying In New Single "Boomerang". Bsckids.com (May 10, 2016). Retrieved on 2016-11-27.
- "2018 Year In Review: The Year in Live Events". Vivid Seats. December 18, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
- Desk, TV News. "Nickelodeon's 'JoJo Siwa D.R.E.A.M. The Tour' Adds 17 New Dates". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- VanDenburgh, Barbara (September 22, 2020). "Time 100: Anthony Fauci, Donald Trump, Megan Thee Stallion, Michael B. Jordan make list for 2020". USA TODAY. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- Horton, Helena (March 6, 2017). "Parents angered as 'Jojo Bows' banned in schools across the country". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- Palmer, Kate (March 2, 2017). "Why schools are banning 'JoJo bows'". BBC News. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- "JoJo Siwa inspires a new clothing line by JCPenney". www.christiantoday.com. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- "The Wisdom of JoJo Siwa, the 14-Year-Old Megastar You Didn't Know Was a Megastar". KQED. October 16, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- Food and Drug Administration [@US_FDA] (June 6, 2019). "FDA Safety Alert" (Tweet). Retrieved June 15, 2019 – via Twitter.
- Haller, Sonja (June 9, 2019). "Claire's recalls JoJo Siwa's makeup kit for tweens after finding asbestos in it". USA Today. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- Tenbarge, Kat. "A JoJo Siwa card game for kids was pulled after parents criticized 'inappropriate' questions about kissing, being naked, twerking, and stealing". Insider. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- Marika Gerken. "JoJo Siwa responds to board game controversy saying she 'had no idea' about the 'inappropriate' content". CNN. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- Aniftos, Rania (August 4, 2020). "Jojo Siwa Confirms Relationship With Fellow TikToker Mark Bontempo". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- Twersky, Carolyn (November 18, 2020). "JoJo Siwa Reveals She Has Broken Up with Her Boyfriend". Seventeen. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- Moreau, Jordan (January 22, 2021). "JoJo Siwa Comes Out as Gay After Viral 'Born This Way' TikTok". Variety. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- Drysdale, Jennifer (January 22, 2021). "JoJo Siwa Wears 'Best Gay Cousin Ever' Shirt". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- Mauch, Ally (January 23, 2021). "JoJo Siwa Says 'I'm Just Really Happy' to Be in LGBTQ Community, Talks Breakup with Ex-Boyfriend". People. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- Bate, Ellie (February 4, 2021). "JoJo Siwa Revealed She Has A Girlfriend And Explained How She Encouraged Her Coming-Out". Buzzfeed News. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- "You searched for jojo siwa - ABRAMS - The Art of Books Since 1949". ABRAMS - The Art of Books Since 1949. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
- Dance Moms "Together We Stand" On The View For Alexa Bolton Who's Battling Cancer. September 26, 2015. Archived from the original on February 17, 2017 – via YouTube.
- JoJo Siwa: from 'Dance Moms' to her own holiday bash – Story | KTTV Archived 2017-02-17 at the Wayback Machine. Foxla.com (November 30, 2015). Retrieved on 2016-11-27.
- JoJo Siwa – Video | WNYW Archived 2018-06-16 at the Wayback Machine. Fox5ny.com (March 18, 2016). Retrieved on 2016-11-27.
- Catch a First Look at "Gonna Be Lit" from the 'Make It Pop: Summer Splash' Special – Twist. Twistmagazine.com. Retrieved on November 27, 2016.
- Nickelodeon's Not So Valentine's Special (2017), retrieved August 27, 2017
- Desk, TV News. "Nickelodeon Announces New Series, THE JOJO & BOWBOW SHOW SHOW". Retrieved October 7, 2018.
- Aniftos, Rania (December 10, 2020). "JoJo Siwa Transforms Into a Glam Elf for Meghan Trainor's 'I Believe in Santa' Video". Billboard. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- "JoJo Siwa Chart History: Kid Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- "D.R.E.A.M. The Music – EP by JoJo Siwa". Apple Music. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
- "Celebrate – EP by JoJo Siwa". Apple Music. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
- "JoJo's Rockin' Christmas – EP by JoJo Siwa". Apple Music.
- "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". RIAA. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- "JoJo Siwa On Her New Song "Nonstop" and How Her Hair Broke the Internet". seventeen.com.
- "JoJo Siwa "NONSTOP" (Official Music Video)". youtube.com.
- "Industry Dance Awards Dancers Choice Awards 2015 – Nominees". Industry Dance Awards.
- "Dancers Choice Awards 2016: Nominees", Industry Dance Awards, accessed July 19, 2016
- Bruce Haring (May 2, 2020). "Avengers: End Game, Stranger Things, Dwayne Johnson Among Winners At Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 3, 2020.