Joanna Levesque, known as “JoJo,” rose to fame at 13 with the hit song “Leave (Get Out).” Reflecting on her early success in a recent interview, she revealed that initially, the song felt unfamiliar and not relatable to her. Despite this, the song topped the Billboard charts, making her the youngest solo artist to achieve a No. 1 hit.
Levesque’s journey through young pop stardom was filled with unpredictability and challenges, which she has candidly captured in her new memoir, “Over the Influence.” Her early years were spent in recording studios and tour buses, creating commercial hits like “Too Little Too Late” and “Baby It’s You.”
The singer also opened up about her tumultuous legal battle with her former record label, Blackground Records, which hindered the release of her third album and slowed her career momentum. Despite the adversities she faced, Levesque acknowledges that those experiences shaped her into the artist she is today.
Embracing the changing landscape of the music industry, Levesque highlighted the importance of artists having more control over their work and the direction of their careers. She took a proactive step in this direction by re-recording her first two albums in 2018 to reclaim rights that were not initially available on streaming platforms.
As she looks ahead to the future, Levesque finds inspiration in the new generation of female artists who are challenging traditional norms in the industry. She expressed admiration for artists like Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish, who pave their paths on their terms, free from the pressures she felt during her early years in the spotlight.
Through her memoir, Levesque aims to empower others to take ownership of their lives and forge their paths. By sharing her story with raw transparency, she hopes to inspire readers to embrace their uniqueness and chart their own course in life.
