Earlier this year, dancer and social media star Jojo Siwa released the song “Karma,” and captured the world’s attention. Only, it probably was not in the way that she hoped. The song “Karma” and its accompanying music video spread like wildfire online, sparking a thousand memes and even a “Saturday Night Live” sketch. Today, “Karma” is the most disliked music video of the year on YouTube. So what went wrong?
Jojo Siwa
For a decade now, Siwa has been marketed strictly to children. She wanted to transition to the adult pop star, but ended up doing the exact opposite. When watching Jojo Siwa’s interviews and podcast appearances, her obvious immaturity and inexperience shines through more than anything else.
Siwa’s support of controversial figures, such as Colleen Ballinger and Abby Lee Miller, paired with her childish demeanor makes it very hard to take her seriously. Her stylist also failed her, putting Jojo in a now-iconic black and silver sparkly jumpsuit that resembles the scales of a reptile.
Most importantly, Jojo Siwa comes across as arrogant when talking about her new music. She is so sure she will be a success in the music industry that she claims to be “the CEO of gay pop.” She hasn’t paid her dues in the business and she has not carved out a grown-up identity for herself.
Siwa lacks the stage presence, songwriting talent and vocal skills of a matured artist. To the world, we are not seeing a new side of Jojo Siwa, only a more chaotic one.
The Transition
According to Billboard, Sabrina Carpenter is having the biggest breakout of the year, currently charting as the number one artist for four weeks. Carpenter got her start on Disney Channel in a supporting role on “Girl Meets World,” a spinoff of the 90s sitcom “Boy Meets World.” Sabrina signed to Hollywood Records in 2013 at just 14 years old and has been making music ever since. However, it was only in 2024, after her release of “Espresso,” that Carpenter skyrocketed to superstardom stardom.
For years, Carpenter tried to make a name for herself, but couldn’t quite amass the audience she has now. The lack of personal branding, proper styling and public image made it hard for her voice to be heard over all the noise. But the time that Carpenter spent in the industry but out of the spotlight clearly served her well.
Once you capture people’s attention, you won’t have it for long. Every artist has to do something their audience will remember. Sabrina Carpenter has a consistent image as the self-branded, proud maneater. Dancing on stage in bedazzled lingerie and ad-libbing “Nonsense” outros seems to come as a second nature to her.
Sabrina is memorable because of her iconic onstage dances, stunning red carpet style and star power attitude. She seems mature and polished, carrying herself with a sense of pride. Carpenter took the time to develop her talents in her vocals and songwriting. To make people remember you as an artist, you must have a unique identity and a strong work ethic — qualities that stars like Jojo Siwa are lacking.
What do you think about child stars that are all grown up now? Let us know on Instagram @VALLEYmag.
