Honestly, if you took a nap for a few months and woke up to see JoJo Siwa in a black leather bodysuit with Gene Simmons-style face paint, you’d be confused. Most people are. We all remember the bows. The neon. The high ponytails that looked like they caused permanent migraines.
But things changed fast.
Lately, everyone is asking what happened to JoJo Siwa because the transition from "Nickelodeon's golden child" to "adult pop rebel" has been, well, a total rollercoaster. It wasn't just a costume change. It was a complete overhaul that involved a messy rebrand, some serious legal drama with a girl group, and a move across the pond that nobody saw coming.
The Karma Era and the "Gay Pop" Mess
In early 2024, JoJo decided she was done with the glitter. She launched a song called "Karma," and the internet basically imploded. It wasn’t just that the song was different; it was the way she marketed it. She told Billboard she wanted to start a new genre called "gay pop."
Yeah. People didn't love that.
Queer artists and fans were quick to remind her that "gay pop" has existed since... forever. Think Elton John. Think Lady Gaga. Think Freddie Mercury. JoJo later clarified she didn't mean she invented it, but the damage was sort of done. The "Karma" music video featured some pretty intense, mature choreography that felt jarring to anyone who grew up watching her on Dance Moms.
Then came the "stolen song" rumors. It turns out "Karma" was originally a demo recorded by Brit Smith and even considered by Miley Cyrus years ago. While JoJo didn’t "steal" it—she legally licensed a song that had been sitting on a shelf—the comparison didn't help her case. People started flocking to Brit Smith’s version, actually sending the decade-old demo higher on the charts than JoJo’s new release for a minute.
What's This About XOMG POP!?
While the music was grabbing headlines, a much darker story was brewing behind the scenes. JoJo and her mom, Jessalynn Siwa, started a girl group called XOMG POP! through a reality show. It was supposed to be the next big thing for tweens.
Instead, it became a legal and PR nightmare.
In early 2024, a Rolling Stone exposé dropped some heavy allegations. Former members, specifically Leigha Sanderson, claimed the work environment was toxic. We’re talking allegations of unpaid work, being berated through headsets during live performances, and even claims that Leigha was pressured to work right after a major spinal surgery.
The Siwas denied it all, of course. Their lawyers called the claims false. But by early 2025, the group had basically vanished. Their YouTube videos were deleted, their TikTok disappeared, and the merch site was quietly rebranded to "JoJo Siwa Kids." It was a messy end to a project that was supposed to be about "girl power."
The UK Pivot and "Joelle"
By the time 2025 rolled around, JoJo seemed to realize that the US audience was a bit exhausted by the "bad girl" act. So, she went to the UK.
She joined the cast of Celebrity Big Brother and actually did surprisingly well, finishing in third place. But the biggest shocker? She fell in love with a Love Island alum, Chris Hughes.
🔗 Read more: Tahj Mowry: Why the Famous Brother of Tia and Tamera is More Than a Supporting Character
Seeing JoJo Siwa—who previously identified as a lesbian—dating a man was another twist. During her time in the Big Brother house, she explained she’s moving away from the "L" label and identifies more as queer or bisexual, saying she felt "pressure" to pick a specific label early on.
As we've hit 2026, she’s taking it a step further. On New Year’s Eve, she quietly changed her name on TikTok to Joelle Siwa.
Joelle. Her actual birth name.
It feels like the "JoJo" brand, with all its baggage and bows, is finally being put to bed. She’s even been spotted wearing a $2,000 Cartier ring from Chris, and there’s heavy talk of an engagement. She's 22 now. She’s clearly trying to find an identity that isn't tied to a corporate contract she signed when she was eleven.
Why It All Matters
Looking at what happened to JoJo Siwa gives us a pretty wild look at the "child star trap." It’s hard to grow up when your entire bank account is built on staying twelve years old forever.
Some people think her rebrand was a "flop," while others think she’s just a young adult trying to figure out who she is in front of 45 million people. Either way, she isn't going away. She’s currently teasing a "comeback" for 2026, using her old "Boomerang" lyrics to hint that she’s far from finished.
If you’re trying to keep up with the latest version of Joelle, here’s what to look for:
- Follow the name change: She’s moving away from "JoJo" on social platforms, so look for "Joelle" if you want the most current updates.
- The UK Connection: Most of her recent work and her personal life are centered in the UK now, so expect more British media appearances than American ones.
- A Shift in Sound: After the "Karma" backlash, rumors suggest her next project might lean more into a "traditional" pop sound rather than the aggressive "bad girl" aesthetic of 2024.
The best way to understand JoJo’s current state is to stop looking for the girl with the bow. She’s gone. What’s left is a 22-year-old named Joelle who is trying to outrun her own shadow.
Check her recent TikToks for the "Boomerang" teasers if you want to see exactly how she’s planning to reinvent herself this time around.