JoJo's Journey: From Teen Sensation to Memoir Author

Joanna Levesque, better known as JoJo, has come a long way since her meteoric rise to fame at the age of 13. Now, two decades later, the singer has penned a memoir titled "Over the Influence," offering insights into her journey through the music industry.

JoJo's career began with the release of "Leave (Get Out)" in 2004, a song that propelled her to stardom but initially felt foreign to the young artist. The pop track, with lyrics about a disappointing relationship, was far from the sixth-grader's personal experiences and musical preferences.

"I grew to love it. But initially, I just didn't get it."

This disconnect between her personal taste and the song that launched her career planted what JoJo calls "the initial seed of confusion." It led her to question her own instincts and trust others' judgments over her own.

Despite her initial reservations, "Leave (Get Out)" topped the Billboard charts, making JoJo the youngest solo artist to achieve a No. 1 hit. This accomplishment set the stage for a career that would span over two decades and include other hits like "Too Little Too Late" and "Baby It's You."

JoJo's formative years were spent in recording studios and on tour buses, a unique experience that resonated with many of her young fans. Now, at 33, she reflects on this shared growth with her audience, expressing gratitude for her longevity in the industry despite the challenges she faced.

One of the significant hurdles in JoJo's career was a protracted legal battle with her former record label, Blackground Records. The label, which signed her at 12, delayed the release of her third album, impacting the trajectory of her promising career. Despite these difficulties, JoJo acknowledges the role these experiences played in shaping her identity as an artist.

In recent years, JoJo has taken steps to regain control over her work. In 2018, she re-recorded her first two albums, which were not available on streaming platforms, to reclaim the rights to her music. This move preceded similar actions by other artists, such as Taylor Swift, who began re-recording her albums in 2021.

JoJo sees the music industry evolving towards granting artists more freedom and voice in their careers. She views this shift positively, noting that while major labels still offer significant benefits, artists are increasingly questioning the cost of these advantages.

As she looks to the future, JoJo finds inspiration in a new generation of young women in music who are defying industry standards. She expresses admiration for artists like Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish, who are charting their own paths and breaking away from the "politics of politeness" that JoJo felt pressured to adhere to in her early career.

Through writing her memoir, JoJo aims to reclaim ownership of her life story. She hopes that by sharing her experiences with transparency, she can inspire others to forge their own paths, whatever those may look like.

JoJo's journey from a teen sensation to a seasoned artist and now author demonstrates the resilience and growth that can come from navigating the complexities of the music industry. Her story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of staying true to oneself in the face of challenges.