JoJo Siwa hasn't found it easy to cultivate a more adult image.
JoJo Siwa is cultivating a new image
The former 'Dance Moms' star - who turns 21 next month - has caused controversy with her provocative new music video 'Karma' and she admitted it has taken some time to work out the best way to "navigate" her previous image as an idol to millions of children and still honour her teenage self while also being able to grow up and move on.
She told 'Entertainment Tonight': "It's been something that we've tried to figure out the best way to navigate.
"I do have such a young fan base, and I do have a lot of kids that look at JoJo Siwa and still follow my music from years ago. However, you know, I'm not the same that I was when I was 14.
"That can live on and people can know that human. But this now is 20-year-old, 21-year-old, here for a good time [JoJo]. Let's be honest, let's be real. Let's make some art."
JoJo - who confirmed in 2021 she is a member of the LGBTQ+ community - is happy to embrace her "weird" side and has a string of iconic role models she's been looking up to for her new era.
She said: "Michael Jackson, Prince, Elton, Bowie -- and of course, Gaga, take all the inspiration from Gaga.
"Those people, for me, that were just not afraid. Elvis was the first to be not be afraid to be different, to not be afraid to be out there, to not be afraid to take a risk.
"I mean, the [stuff] Freddie Mercury used to wear onstage -- you would be like, what?
"I think now, people are afraid to be different and... we're all different. We're all weird. We're all a little [messed] up. And I think that's OK to show that."
JoJo teased her upcoming music will allow fans into a "deep, dark hole" inside of herself.
She said: "I've been in the studio every, almost every day - every week is a bit more fair to say.
"There are 20-plus songs in the bank. There is a whole world that people are going to be, you know, introduced to - a whole world that I'm creating, I'm envisioning and living in.
"You're going to a deep, dark hole inside my brain. It's only a door I'm unlocking for you: Karma World."
JoJo's love interest in the 'Karma' video is played by 'So You Think You Can Dance' winner Alexis Warr and they had "the best time" working on the video.
She said of Alexis: "She is incredible. She is awesome. It's actually our first time ever dancing together, which is actually crazy. She's wonderful. We've had the best time."
JoJo was involved in all aspects of making the video.
She said: "I came up with the concept a year ago, pitched the whole concept... choreography, costumes. I, actually, Alexis, I did her make-up earlier! Everything that I can have my hand in, I have my hand in."
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