As an avid watcher of Dance Moms, I have witnessed JoJo Siwa evolve from the once bow-obsessed dancer to a multifaceted artist. Although her music career took off in 2016 with pop hits such as “Boomerang” and “I Can Make U Dance,” her recent piece strongly contrasted her former songs. Released April 5, her single “Karma” is dedicated to betrayal and revenge with lyrics that stray from her usual upbeat, positive style.
The song teases the more mature side of Jojo Siwa with lyrics such as “I was a bad girl, I did some bad things” and “Karma’s a bitch, I should’ve known better.” The consistent bass adds an electronic feel to the piece, creating an edgier sound compared to her previous tracks. I have also enjoyed the sneak peeks of her planned choreography on TikTok, which ties her previous experience as a competitive dancer with her current musicality.
Although I was a bit taken aback by her blunt transition from vibrant pop to a more serious tone, I am glad that Jojo Siwa is exploring a persona that is not specifically catered toward young audiences. Especially for women initially marketed as girly or one-dimensional, it is often difficult for them to break that established image, according to Business Insider.
For example, actors such as Rowan Blanchard from “Girl Meets World” and Miley Cyrus from “Hannah Montana” were both bubbly child stars on Disney, yet their internet persona significantly changed after they transitioned away from their acting careers. This is often due to the newfound freedom that comes with leaving their Disney contracts, according to The Guardian.
In JoJo Siwa’s case, “Karma” serves as a bold step toward self-actualization. She is breaking away from her previous stigma as a girly dancer on “Dance Moms” and reestablishing her own identity as a mature artist.
As she continues to evolve and redefine herself, she is simultaneously breaking norms and inspiring others to do the same. Although JoJo Siwa will always remain the Boomerang Girl in my heart, I am excited to see where this transformation takes her.
