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Inside the meteoric rise of JoJo Siwa, the 16-year-old 'Dance Moms' star who entranced millions of children with her positive, colorful, candy-filled brand

Margot HarrisApr 22, 2020, 19:12 IST
Inside the meteoric rise of JoJo Siwa, the 16-year-old 'Dance Moms' star who entranced millions of children with her positive, colorful, candy-filled brand

In 2019, Siwa embarked on a three-continent tour, performing music from her debut EPs.Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images

  • JoJo Siwa, who began her career by appearing on "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition" and "Dance Moms," has transformed herself into a megastar and multimillion-dollar brand.
  • Siwa's colorful style, boundless energy, and kid-friendly message have established her as an icon for the under-ten crowd, including the children of Hollywood royalty.
  • Between her YouTube channel and upcoming 70-city tour, Siwa has been keeping busy.
  • Here's everything you need to know about the beloved star.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

JoJo Siwa was just nine years old when she made her reality TV debut in 2013, placing 5th on the "Dance Moms" spinoff competition show called "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition."

Since her days of impressing the formidable Abby Lee Miller, the 16-year-old has emerged as a household name, built a multimillion-dollar business, cultivated a massive online following, become an idol to the under-10 demographic, and embarked on a 3-continent concert tour.

Here's how the 16-year-old built an empire:

Read the original article on Insider

In a recent TikTok video, Siwa shocked her fans by "dressing normally" and removing her signature bow.

In a recent TikTok video, Siwa shocked her fans by "dressing normally" and removing her signature bow.
Siwa surprised fans by temporarily ditching her signature look. JoJo Siwa/TikTok

As she approached the 19 million-follower mark on TikTok, Siwa posted a video with a challenge to her fans: if she reached 19 million followers in 24 hours, she would do whatever the top comment on the video instructed her to.

@itsjojosiwa

..... YOU HAVE 24 HOURS.....

♬ that one sound that makes u smile - cjtooicy

The post quickly flooded with comments and suggestions, from getting a septum piercing to sending every commenter $100.

However, one comment stood out to Siwa's followers: "dress normal for a day."

Never one to disappoint her fans, Siwa followed through after hitting 19 million followers.

"I can't take it off," she joked as she tugged at her bedazzled sunglasses.

@itsjojosiwa

when people THINK this is how it works.... lol. i can take it off but i’m not gonnnnnna.

♬ original sound - samanthaclement

Ultimately, however, Siwa traded her rainbow outfits and bows for a black tee-shirt and free-flowing curls.

@itsjojosiwa

ayyyyyy

♬ original sound - itsjojosiwa

In under 24 hours, the video has been viewed 14 million times.

Siwa, naturally, returned to her usual look for her following TikTok video.

Read more:

16-year-old YouTuber JoJo Siwa shared a tour of her new mansion that includes endless candy, a merch store, and a bed with her own face on it

JoJo Siwa responds after her Claire's makeup set was recalled for testing positive for asbestos

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Siwa dominated headlines once again over her social media posts that sparked fan speculation about her dating life.

Siwa dominated headlines once again over her social media posts that sparked fan speculation about her dating life.
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Siwa recently purchased a Los Angeles mansion that's decorated in classic Jojo style.

Siwa recently purchased a Los Angeles mansion that's decorated in classic Jojo style.
Siwa's video showing off her new mansion, uploaded to her YouTube channel in December, has been viewed over 3 million times. Jojo Siwa/YouTube

In December of 2019, Siwa and her family moved into a $3.4 million home in Tarzana, a suburb of Los Angeles.

The 6-bed, 7-bath mansion's rainbow and candy-themed decor captived Siwa's online audience. In a YouTube video uploaded to her channel, appropriately titled "HOUSE TOUR!!!" the 16-year-old took her 10.7 million subscribers through the 6,111-square foot home.

The walkthrough featured a grand piano surrounded by display cases holding Siwa's bedazzled tour outfits; a 'fun room' with a built-in candy bar stocked with Nerds, Airheads, Haribo, Skittles, and Peanut M&Ms, among other treats; a 'merch room' packed with plush unicorns and oversized hair bows; a custom-made pool table; full-sized candy dispensers and gumball machines; and, of course, Siwa's bedroom which is decked out with a photo wall and a rainbow headboard for her bed.

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Siwa faced intense criticism for the eventual recall of her Claire's makeup kits.

Siwa faced intense criticism for the eventual recall of her Claire's makeup kits.
Claire's recalled the JoJo Siwa-branded makeup kits after the FDA issued a warning about unsafe levels of asbestos in the product. David McNew/Getty Images

In June 2019, Siwa ran into trouble with one of her many product lines when the FDA issued a warning about dangerous levels of asbestos in a JoJo Siwa-branded cosmetics kit. Claire's recalled the product in response and Siwa posted a now-deleted YouTube video to address the issue.

"Recently, it's been brought to my attention that there's been a problem with one of my products in Claire's stores," she said in the one-minute video. "I just want to let everyone know that no matter what, safety is myself and Nickelodeon's number one priority in everything, in every product, and everything out there."

She added that those who purchased the product would be issued a refund.

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She's beloved by the Kardashian clan.

She's beloved by the Kardashian clan.
North West and Penelope Disick attended Siwa's 16th birthday party. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

Among Siwa's many young fans is Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's firstborn, the iconic North West.

In February of 2019, Kardashian first posted about North's obsession with Siwa's classic bows.

"LOL at North's Bow," she wrote in a tweet that has since received 11,000 likes. "She is obsessed with @itsjojosiwa."

—Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) February 4, 2019

Siwa saw the tweet and reached out to Kardashian about setting up a meeting — while her Twitter followers and YouTube subscribers waited anxiously for a collaboration.

Siwa delivered with a YouTube video titled "BABYSITTING NORTH WEST!!!" in which she and the mini West spent a day making glittery slime, playing hide and seek, and showing off their dance moves.

The highly-anticipated collab has received over 31 million views on YouTube and behind-the-scenes footage of the day later aired on an episode of "Keeping up with the Kardashians."

Several months after the collab, North West and her famous cousin Penelope Disick made an appearance at Siwa's 16th birthday party which was filmed as part of a Nickelodeon special "JoJo's Dream Birthday."

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While Siwa is known for getting along with fellow celebrities, she did feud with Justin Bieber over an Instagram comment.

While Siwa is known for getting along with fellow celebrities, she did feud with Justin Bieber over an Instagram comment.
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In 2018, Siwa announced her first-ever headlining tour — and tickets sold out almost immediately.

In 2018, Siwa announced her first-ever headlining tour — and tickets sold out almost immediately.
Siwa's tour spans 70 cities across 3 continents. Gary Miller/Getty Images

Siwa's D.R.E.A.M Tour, which kicked off in Phoenix, Arizona in May of 2019, features music from her two EPs, "D.R.E.A.M. The Music" and "Celebrate."

The 70-city tour is scheduled to run through June of 2020.

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In 2017, Nickelodeon signed Siwa to an "overall talent deal."

In 2017, Nickelodeon signed Siwa to an "overall talent deal."
Siwa spoke onstage at the 2019 Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards Kevin Winter/Getty Images

As Siwa racked up YouTube subscribers and Instagram followers, Nickelodeon took notice, signing the 14-year-old in 2017.

"Nickelodeon will have the opportunity to work with Siwa on a multi-platform basis including in consumer products, original programming, social media, live events and music," a representative for the network said in a press release at the time, adding that Nickelodeon had "already commenced development of an exclusive line of consumer products" inspired by Siwa.

Since joining the network, Siwa has guest-starred in TV series and movies and been featured in several Nickelodeon specials.

She also stars in an animated web series called "The JoJo & BowBow Show Show."

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Siwa's signature style proved popular with her fan base, so she launched a line of hair bows, appropriately called JoJo's Bows.

Siwa's signature style proved popular with her fan base, so she launched a line of hair bows, appropriately called JoJo's Bows.
As the demand for colorful hair bows skyrocketed among Siwa's young audience, she launched her own line of accessories. Rodin Eckenroth/ Getty Images

Siwa — who famously wore large colorful hair bows during her reality TV appearances —released a line of bows with Claire's in 2016 that matched the handmade hair accessories she wore during dance competitions.

While JoJo's Bows proved to be incredibly popular with the elementary school demographic, Siwa received backlash for the high retail prices.

Some school administrators in the UK even banned the bows from schools, as students who couldn't afford the £8 to £12 accessories were being bullied by their peers.

Siwa has defended her merchandise, stating in a 2017 interview that JoJo's Bows are a symbol of "power, confidence, believing-ness."

Since launching the bow line, the 16-year-old has sold over 40 million units and gone on to partner with J.C. Penney in releasing a bedroom decor line, children's books, and even a JoJo Siwa doll.

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As Siwa's name recognition and popularity skyrocketed, she released her first single.

As Siwa's name recognition and popularity skyrocketed, she released her first single.
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While appearing on "Dance Moms," Siwa made her YouTube debut.

While appearing on "Dance Moms," Siwa made her YouTube debut.
Jojo Siwa/YouTube

Siwa began posting videos to her YouTube channel in 2015, beginning with occasional Q&As for avid "Dance Moms" fans and working up to internet challenges and more expertly-edited vlogs.

Within three years, Siwa was one of the most-followed people on the platform.

Her main channel, which features celebrity collabs, tours of her residences, and kitchen experiments, among other projects, currently boasts 10.7 million subscribers and her videos have received a total of 2 billion views.

"I never forget where I came from with YouTube," Siwa told Rolling Stone. "I wouldn't be where I am today without it."

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Siwa and her mother went on to join the cast of "Dance Moms" for two seasons.

Siwa and her mother went on to join the cast of "Dance Moms" for two seasons.
Siwa joined the Abby Lee Dance Company in early 2015 after impressing Miller during her stint on "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition." Gabriel Olsen/ Getty Images

After appearing on "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition," Siwa — and her mother, of course — began auditioning for Miller's dance team, the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC).

During the audition process, they made their debut on "Dance Moms," the wildly popular reality show following the young dancers in the company as they navigated the world of competitive dance and ambitious stage parents.

Siwa was selected to join the team in 2015 and appeared with Jessalyn on two seasons of "Dance Moms."

During the show, Jessalyn frequently clashed with Miller and the other mothers over her parenting style and competitive nature.

"I think you have some deeper issues," Miller said during the "Dance Moms" Season 5 reunion episode. "You are doing detrimental harm to [Jojo]."

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Siwa gained national attention when she appeared on the second season of "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition," a show judged by "Dance Moms" star and formidable dance instructor Abby Lee Miller.

Siwa gained national attention when she appeared on the second season of "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition," a show judged by "Dance Moms" star and formidable dance instructor Abby Lee Miller.
Siwa was just nine years old when she made her reality TV debut on "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition" in 2013. Lifetime/YouTube

At 9 years old, Siwa was the youngest competitor on the reality show in which dancers (and their mothers) competed for $100,000 and a scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School.

Siwa placed 5th in the competition, making a lasting impression with her feisty attitude and camera-friendly energy.

"During shooting, the crew would gather in the control room to watch JoJo's interviews live because they were so compelling," Executive producer Bryan Stinson told Rolling Stone. "Producers nicknamed them 'The JoJo Show'."

Siwa's mother also made waves on the show, thanks to her stage parent antics.

"I would say it's my mission in life to make JoJo a star," Jessalyn said of her motivations to enter the competition.

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Long before moving into her 6,111 square-foot mansion in Los Angeles, Siwa lived with her parents and older brother in the midwest.

Long before moving into her 6,111 square-foot mansion in Los Angeles, Siwa lived with her parents and older brother in the midwest.
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