JoJo Siwa fans insist her fame-driven childhood explains CBB behaviour and Chris Hughes bond after growing up as family's financial provider, getting her hair bleached from age of TWO and mum's 'life mission to make her a star'
- Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected]
In the wake of her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, JoJo Siwa has become a hot topic of conversation, with renewed interest into her career and background.
Having gotten her start on American TV, beginning with Dance Moms in 2015 and continuing with Nickelodeon, the media personality, 21, arguably had a greater presence across the pond until starring in the ITV2 reality series.
However, she came to the attention of a whole new audience on CBB, ending up in an impressive third place in last week's final.
On Monday, JoJo appeared on This Morning alongside with new BFF Chris Hughes for their first joint TV interview, where she admitted that her time on CBB had made her reevaluate a lot of things in her life, and want to start make changes.
And while many believed this to be entirely based on her decision to split from ex partner Kath Ebbs, some of her fans argued that her time in the house had been the 21-year-old's first taste of 'real freedom'.
Over her years in the spotlight, the Karma star's parents have faced backlash, particularly her mother Jessalyn, with accusations that she behaves more like her 'momager' than a mum in her desire to see her daughter become famous.
In th e wake of her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, JoJo Siwa has become a hot topic of conversation, with renewed interest into her career and background (pictured Friday)
Over her years in the spotlight, the Karma star's parents have faced backlash, particularly her mother Jessalyn, with accusations that she behaves more like her 'momager' than a mum in her desire to see her daughter become famous (pictured in 2022)
Her CBB stint had led to renewed scrutiny into JoJo's unusual upbringing, with fans claiming she's a classic 'exploited child star' who is now re-evaluating things following a lifetime in the limelight.
One of the labels that Jessalyn has been branded with is 'stage mom', with some even accusing her of being 'toxic' in the way she pushed for JoJo to become famous.
It comes as no surprise considering the pair first came to fame on reality show Dance Moms, which centres on mothers motivating their young daughters through the pressure-filled world of competitive dance.
But Jessalyn has made no secret of the depth of her desire to see JoJo become famous, with her admitting on the show: 'I would say it's my mission in life to make JoJo a star'.
She once owned her own dance studio in Nebraska, having spent years as a dance instructor, choreographer and competition judge, and has said that she wanted her daughter to be a dancer from before she was even born.
Speaking to TODAY in 2019, Jessalyn said: 'I knew the moment I was having a girl she was going to be a dancer and she was going to wear bows and tutus and she was going to like it.'
She described how JoJo did her first dance solo at the age of two in a diaper and revealed that she applied for her to appear on the Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition TV show without even asking the then-seven year old.
On a podcast, Jessalyn recalled how she had heard an advertisement for a hotline to 'make your kid a star', promising to prepare children to reach stardom in the entertainment industry.
It comes as no surprise considering the pair first came to fame on reality show Dance Moms, which centres on mothers motivating their young daughters through the pressure-filled world of competitive dance
But Jessalyn has made no secret of the depth of her desire to see JoJo become famous, with her admitting on the show: 'I would say it's my mission in life to make JoJo a star'
She admitted she was so desperate for JoJo to do it, she pulled her out of school, saying: 'I just wanted it so bad for her. I remember at the time it was a lot of money to take these classes.
'I had JoJo in a very good preschool and right away I pulled her out because I was like I can save money there.'
Taking JoJo to Los Angeles for the first time at the age of five, she recalled: 'I remember taking JoJo for a haircut and the lady said, "What are you guys out here for?" and JoJo was like, "My mom said I have to get a J.O.B".'
While Jessalyn explained how they rewarded JoJo with trips to the American Girl Doll store, letting her pick 'what she wanted as a treat for auditioning'.
JoJo had a packed schedule as a child, with Jess explained: 'When we were on Dance Moms, we would do Dance Moms all day and then we would run to auditions at night and then we would run back and take dance class.'
Jessalyn has admitted that being a 'celebrity mom' makes it hard to always know whether she was doing what was best for her daughter.
She told TODAY: 'To be a celebrity mom... who do I talk to? I don't have Tish Cyrus' phone number, I can't ask what she's doing.
'That's the hardest thing is like knowing what's right, what's wrong, what's good, what's bad and like trying to make good decisions.'
Jessalyn has admitted that being a 'celebrity mom' makes it hard to always know whether she was doing what was best for her daughter
Fans have claimed that Jessalyn has prioritized JoJo's career over other aspects of her life, such as her education and emotional well-being
However, JoJo herself has hit back at accusations that her mother is a pushy parent, claiming she's 'the opposite' (pictured together in 2021)
However, she admitted she loves it, saying: 'I literally joke I feel like every day is my wedding day. Like I go to Target and my daughter is a doll. It's unbelievable... I'm living out my dreams and just enjoying it'.
Fans have claimed that Jessalyn has prioritized JoJo's career over other aspects of her life, such as her education and emotional well-being.
While dance instructor Abby Lee Miller even voiced criticism of Jessalyn's parenting during Dance Moms, accusing her of neglecting JoJo's schooling and not getting her her shots.
In the season 5 reunion, she told her: 'I think you have some deeper issues. You are doing detrimental harm to [JoJo].'
However, JoJo herself has hit back at accusations that her mother is a pushy parent, claiming she's 'the opposite'.
She insisted to TODAY in 2019: 'She's not a stagemom. A lot of people think she's like "you have to make YouTube video and you have to perform good!" It's literally the opposite of that, she's like, "JoJo, turn your computer off and stop working!"'
A shocking example of how far back JoJo's preparation for stardom goes is the revelation that the blonde performer is actually a natural brunette.
An early episode of Dance Moms saw Jessalyn bleaching the then-nine year old's hair, saying: 'Nothing’s off limits when it comes to doing what I think will benefit JoJo. She’s the Rapunzel of 2013.'
An episode of Dance Moms saw Jessalyn bleaching the then-nine year old's hair, saying: 'Nothing’s off limits when it comes to doing what I think will benefit JoJo. She’s the Rapunzel of 2013'
While the clip becomes even more disquieting, when JoJo adds in a confessional that her mother has been dying her hair since she was just two years old
She is seen telling the young dancer: 'You know, your hair’s getting really dark. We’re going to have to lighten this up'.
While the clip becomes even more disquieting, when JoJo adds in a confessional that her mother has been dying her hair since she was just two years old.
She tells the camera: 'I’ve been dyeing my hair since I was, like, two, maybe one and a half. I’m not a natural blonde; I’m actually a natural brown. I get brown roots, so I have to dye it so it looks like I’m a natural blonde.'
After fans discovered the clip years later, once JoJo had reached new audiences in her later years, they were appalled and branded it 'abuse'.
They fumed: 'I don't think I will ever recover after learning Jojo Siwa's mom started bleaching her hair from like 2 years old?! CPS hello???'
'That's gotta be some level of abuse that's like not okay. I bleach my hair often, and it burns. Imagine that for a 2 yr old?'; 'JoJo Siwa’s mom should be sent to The Hague'.
''i found out today that jojo siwa isn’t a natural blonde and her mother has been bleaching her hair since she was 2 years old'; 'how is this not child abuse'.
'Isn't that like.... abuse at this point???'; 'jojo siwa's mom started bleaching jojo's hair when she was like 2 or 3, nothing else can shock me about these people'.
After fans discovered the clip years later, once JoJo had reached new audiences in her later years, they were appalled and branded it 'abuse'
'How do I get Jojo Siwa’s mom jailed for bleaching a two year olds hair, no wonder Jojo behaves the way she does like'.
'I don't think anyone 100% thinks about the fact that JoJo's mom literally had her hair dyed bleach blonde since she was TWO and its just?? Normal for her'.
JoJo has also borne the weight of having to financially provide for her family since a very young age.
Her parents Tom and Jessalyn previously lived with her in the Los Angeles mansion she purchased in 2019, until she bought them their own house last year.
And during her appearance on Call Her Daddy, she confessed to feeling that she owed her family as they had done everything for her, but admitted: 'I mean I gave up my life essentially for the world. But it's like worth it.'
JoJo added that her mother had thanked her for not leaving 'high and dry' when she turned 18, but that she felt as though it was a given that she would continue financially providing for them.
She said: 'My mom actually said something today to me that was really sweet. When you are a kid, 15 percent of every penny you make goes into a Coogan account [to protect children’s earnings].
'My parents thought when I turned 18, I was gonna get my Coogan account money, take all of my money and have it all be mine, and be like good luck everybody, I'm an adult now!
JoJo has also borne the weight of having to financially provide for her family since a very young age (pictured with dad Tom, mum Jessalyn and brother Jayden in 2019)
During her appearance on Call Her Daddy (seen), she confessed to feeling that she owed her family as they had done everything for her, but admitted: 'I mean I gave up my life essentially for the world'
'I was like, ‘I can give you so much reassurance, but I will never do that". That’s always been a fear of theirs, always has been.
'Just because the opportunity of me leaving them high and dry was right there. People have done it before. Child stars have done it before, but I would never do that to my family.'
She continued: 'But today my mom was like, "I just want to say thank you for never basically kicking us to the curb. Thank you for buying us this new house. Thank you for letting us remodel it. Thank you for keeping us in your bubble.'
But as host Alex Cooper pointed out that having to financially support her family is a lot of pressure on a child, JoJo admitted: 'Yeah terrifying. I still don't have a really good concept of all of that pressure.'
She explained how she and Jess had always had an agreement that they would split both the work and the finances 50-50 between them, saying they were 'a really good team'.
But she went on: 'I didn't really realise until I was 17 or 18 like, "Oh I pay for everything for everyone!"'
However, JoJo recalled how her mother had rationalised it to her, explaining: 'I get to take care of my family and the people I love. My mom would always say "You would do anything for a stranger off the street right?"
'And I'm like of course, if anyone needed anything and I could help I would. And she's like "So think if your family like that. Think of your brother like that".'
Asked whether she resented the fact that she was never able to just be a child without the weight of the world on her shoulders, JoJo heartbreakingly admitted that she did sometimes want Jess to be just her mom, rather than her manager (picture together in 2018)
As more details about JoJo's childhood have resurfaced in the wake of her appearance on CBB, fans have begged for her to be given 'grace' and 'allowed some much earned freedom to discover herself' after growing up entirely in the public eye
She also insisted that she had 'lucked out' as her family had the chance to take her money and run, but never took advantage.
JoJo said: 'I think I really lucked out, because no one took advantage of me. Everyone had a chance to, my mom, my dad, my brother, all three had a chance to take advantage of me. They all had access to everything, they all had a chance to take it and run, essentially. No one did.'
But as Alex asked whether she resented the fact that she was never able to just be a child without the weight of the world on her shoulders, JoJo heartbreakingly admitted that she did sometimes want Jess to be just her mom, rather than her manager.
She rationalised: 'I think I'm lucky because I don't know any different, since I was nine. But there have definitely been points in my life, where I've said to my parents, more so my mom, I need "mommy mom".
'Shockingly it's got harder as I've gotten older, but I want you to be more my mom and I want to be able to talk to you about mom things instead of work things.'
She then added: 'But that's how we've always communicated, that's how we've always bonded and worked. It's not normal, but it's our normal.'
As more details about JoJo's childhood have resurfaced in the wake of her appearance on CBB, fans have begged for her to be given 'grace' and 'allowed some much earned freedom to discover herself' after growing up entirely in the public eye.
They fumed: 'I kind of always have the inclination to give Jojo Siwa some grace. growing up in the public eye with a toxic momager, navigating their sexuality and gender in an extremely visible way, like I’m sure you wouldn’t want how you acted between the ages of 17 and 21 to be broadcast.'
During her time in the Celebrity Big Brother house, JoJo's close bond with housemate Chris Hughes attracted much attention
The pair faced accusations that their friendship, coupled with their 11-year age gap, was 'inappropriate', with many declaring it not to be fully 'platonic', despite JoJo stating she is a lesbian
'it’s not gonna happen bc it’s the topic of the month but I think everyone should stop talking about jojo siwa the whole situation is screaming exploited child star trying to navigate that as a 20 smth year old whilst still being in the limelight'.
'Especially when said 21 year old has spent most of their lives financially supporting others and being controlled into fitting a character. JoJo Siwa needs to be allowed some much earned freedom to discover herself'.
'Considering some of the things I've read about JoJo Siwa's mother (and this is just things that are already confirmed to be true), I wouldn't be shocked if JoJo does a Jennette McCurdy sometime in the future (writing a tell-all memoir, I mean).'
'Decided to do a deep dive into the lore of jojo siwa to try and find out why she’s so hated, honestly still don’t get it, but I did not realise she was a child star who was essentially abused and exploited. Makes everything she’s dealt with in #CBBUK feel so much worse somehow.'
During her time in the Celebrity Big Brother house, JoJo's close bond with housemate Chris Hughes attracted much attention.
The pair faced accusations that their friendship, coupled with their 11-year age gap, was 'inappropriate', with many declaring it not to be fully 'platonic', despite JoJo stating she is a lesbian.
The speculation intensified when she dumped her partner Kath Ebbs, 28, at the CBB wrap party.
Weighing in on the bond herself, Jessalyn appears to approve of Chris, 32, despite the controversy, with her reposting several TikToks about the pair's bond.
The speculation intensified when she dumped her partner Kath Ebbs, 28, at the CBB wrap party on Friday night after finishing in third place (pictured together in March)
And some fans have even theorised she could be in favour of the pair exploring a romantic relationship, after she joined both JoJo and Chris in reposting one particular TikTok video that raised eyebrows.
The clip showed the Love Islander and the TV personality dancing to the Titanic theme and was captioned: 'JoJo and Chris are so giving me Jack and Rose vibes
And some fans have even theorised she could be in favour of the pair exploring a romantic relationship, after she joined both JoJo and Chris in reposting one particular TikTok video that raised eyebrows.
The clip showed the Love Islander and the TV personality dancing to the Titanic theme and was captioned: 'JoJo and Chris are so giving me Jack and Rose vibes.
'She's the rich one who fell in love with someone who is lower class than her and she has probably never had this much fun in her life. This is definitely the closest love tory to Titanic yet'.
JoJo previously admitted that her parents decision to allow her 20-year-old ex-partner move into their family home when JoJo was just 16.
Speaking on the Call Her Daddy podcast last year, she reflected on the decision, saying: 'As a 20-year-old, I look at a 16-year-old and I’m like, "Oh, my God, you are the age that my girlfriend was when she moved into my house". I don’t know how it happened.'
She went on: 'Looking back, all of us are like, "That should have never happened."
'My mom says all the time, "I should have never allowed my 16-year-old’s partner to live with us. That was not healthy for you. Much less her and her family".
'Someone should have put their foot down. But it was like no one at the time felt it was right to.'
