Siwa << SEE wah >>, JoJo (2003-…), is an American actress, dancer, and singer. She first gained fame as a dancer on television shows and as a star of videos posted on the website YouTube. Siwa is known for wearing large, brightly colored bows in her hair and for promoting a positive outlook on life.
Joelle Joanie Siwa was born on May 19, 2003, in Omaha, Nebraska. She began dancing at a young age in her mother’s dance studio. Siwa came to nationwide attention on the reality television series “Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition” in 2013. She placed fifth in the contest. JoJo and her mother, Jessalynn Siwa, appeared on the reality TV series “Dance Moms” from 2015 to 2016. They were popular and remained on the show for several seasons. JoJo began creating vlogs (video diaries) and posting them on YouTube in 2015, attracting a huge audience.
Siwa starred in a number of programs for the children’s television network Nickelodeon. These included the television documentary and concert movies JoJo Siwa: My World (2017) and JoJo’s Follow Your D.R.E.A.M. and JoJo’s D.R.E.A.M Concert (both 2019). Siwa also starred in the Nickelodeon television movie Blurt (2018). She provided her voice for two characters in The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019), an animated motion picture. Siwa and her pet dog BowBow starred in “The JoJo & BowBow Show Show” (2018-2019), a series of short animated videos released online. In 2021, Siwa competed on the American TV reality series “Dancing with the Stars.” Also in 2021, Siwa produced and starred in the streaming motion-picture musical The J Team. In 2022, she was a judge on the dance competition TV show “So You Think You Can Dance.”
In addition to acting and dancing, Siwa has recorded a number of songs. They include “Boomerang” (2016); “Kid in a Candy Store” and “Hold the Drama” (both 2017); “Every Girl’s a Super Girl,” “High Top Shoes,” and “Only Getting Better” (all 2018); “Bop!” (2019); and “Nonstop” (2020).
Siwa has written several books, including JoJo’s Guide to the Sweet Life: #PeaceOutHaterz (2017) and JoJo’s Guide to Making Your Own Fun: #DoItYourself (2018). She is also the author of “Adventures of JoJo & BowBow,” a series of children’s fiction books featuring Siwa and her dog. The series began with JoJo & BowBow Take the Stage (2018).