JoJo Siwa might not strike anyone as a controversial personality. The former "Dance Moms" star, known for her giant bows and seemingly boundless energy, has become an icon for young kids around the world. However, outside of that family-friendly image, she's encountered some bizarre drama with fellow public figures over the years.
For instance, in 2018, Justin Bieber faced the wrath of Siwa's fans when he told her to "burn" her custom-painted 15th birthday car. He later apologized in a tweet, clarifying that he was just objecting to the vibrant colors of the car, which featured a rendering of Siwa's face on the hood, rather than Siwa herself. "I really hope you didn't think it was malicious," the "Sorry" singer expressed. Siwa playfully responded on Twitter, suggesting all would be forgiven if Bieber performed at her 16th birthday party!
Another incident occurred when DaBaby mentioned her in his song "Beatbox," saying, "JoJo Siwa, b****." He later denied any issues with the teen star, informing her on Twitter that he had bought every JoJo Siwa product for his daughter, who is a huge fan. "Don't let em trick you into thinking I'd ever have a problem with you. My wordplay just went over their heads," he added, encouraging her to "keep shining!"
Keep reading to find out about more unusual controversies surrounding the "Boomerang" singer.
Her bows were banned
When JoJo Siwa joined the "Dance Moms" cast, her seemingly endless collection of bows accompanied her. After becoming an internet sensation, elementary school kids worldwide started flocking to buy large, eye-catching hair bows just like hers. However, the popularity of the JoJo bows led to surprising backlash in UK primary schools, where staff began banning the accessory. One headteacher explained that the large colorful bows had become quite distracting for students, stating, "We have a massive curriculum now in primary schools, and there is simply no time for added distractions like this."
In a 2017 discussion with Newsround, JoJo defended fans who enjoyed wearing the bows and expressed disappointment in the bans. "The bow is a sign, a symbol of power and confidence," she said. "This isn't a word, but believing-ness." Although she didn't support the bans, she encouraged kids to leave their bows at home if their schools didn’t allow them, showing her concern for her fans' well-being.
Her makeup line was recalled because of asbestos
JoJo Siwa's merchandise empire faced a serious setback in 2019 when her makeup line at Claire's was recalled by the FDA due to asbestos concerns. Known for her bright, glittery makeup looks, JoJo had collaborated with the popular accessories store, a longtime favorite among tween girls. Parents expressed understandable concern when the FDA posted a photo of one of her product offerings on Twitter, warning that asbestos had been found in some items.
In a now-deleted video, JoJo expressed her commitment to safety, stating, "I just want to let everyone know that no matter what, safety is myself and Nickelodeon's number one priority in everything, in every product, and everything out there." Siwa announced that her team would pull the makeup set from stores and cease production, emphasizing that it was her name and brand at stake. Although a spokesperson for Claire's maintained that only trace amounts of asbestos had been found, they offered to refund customers.
She feuded with fellow Dance Moms alumni
