JoJo Siwa claims Dance Moms was 'detrimental' to her career
Former 'Dance Moms' star JoJo Siwa thinks the reality show which launched her to stardom was "detrimental" to her career.
JoJo Siwa has insisted 'Dance Moms' was "detrimental" to her career.
The 20-year-old singer and YouTuber rose to fame on the reality show after first appearing in 2015, and she has reflected on its impact after Lifetime's recent special 'Dance Moms: The Reunion'.
Speaking on her own 'JoJo Siwa Now' podcast, she said: "Today we are kind of going back to, not necessarily how it started for me and how I became a public human being, but something that I think really was detrimental to my career and was massive for me, which was 'Dance Moms'.
"We had the 'Dance Moms' reunion just happen and the 'Dance Moms' reunion, you know, it was a mixed bag of bones for me, for sure."
The 'Karma' singer did not explain why she felt the show - which turned her into a star - negatively impacted her career.
However, she did explain her decision to leave the show in the middle of season six, which came after she was offered another opportunity.
JoJo and his mother were trying to decide what to do, and an unnamed 'Dancing With The Stars' cast member urged her to leave before she hated the show.
She added: "I think leaving 'Dance Moms' while I still loved it was the best decision."
Despite describing the show as "detrimental", JoJo is "grateful" for the way 'Dance Mom's has changed her life.
She explained: "There was a lot of tears, a lot of blood, a lot of sweat, but look at where it got me... It is a massive part of my career that I will always and forever be so freaking grateful for."
Recently, JoJo sparked controversy by switching to a more adult image, and it has taken some time to work out the best way to "navigate" her previous image as an idol to millions of children 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."
