Written By: Wanjiru Waweru
Finding Her Voice Through Pain and Survival
American R&B singer-songwriter and actress JoJo released her memoir Over The Influence on September 17, 2024, via Hachette Books. The New York Times considered JoJo a “Best-Selling Author” for sharing her emotional pain and struggles behind the curtains through both her personal and professional life. The 34-year-old powerhouse wanted to create this memoir to find her voice before it was “too little, too late.” Her journey allows readers to understand her story through success, heartbreak, disappointment, and strength while revealing her vulnerability.
Over the years, many people created unauthorized books about JoJo. She was excited to develop her autobiography to connect with her fans directly. She spent years trying to figure out who she was, and her life has not always been perfect. She signed with Blackground Records at the age of 12. Addiction also runs deeply in her family. She used self-destructive behaviors, including sex, love, food, alcohol, and drugs, to cope with trauma.
JoJo explained that her parents met through Alcoholics Anonymous programs in New Hampshire in 1989. Their relationship was toxic and on-and-off until they permanently separated when she was five years old. To make ends meet, they worked side jobs, including nanny and waitress work. Music became a major influence in her household, and JoJo credits her mother for her powerful vocal abilities. Her mother eventually became sober and found stability years later.
Growing Up Different
During JoJo’s childhood, she moved to Foxborough, a suburban city located about 29 miles from Boston. There, she hoped to begin her musical journey and showcase her powerhouse vocals. She grew up listening to soul and R&B music.
Born Joanna Levesque, JoJo gave constant praise to her family and always dreamed of becoming a professional singer. She loved learning and considered herself a teacher’s pet. In second grade, she often felt like an outcast because she did not follow trends. Unfortunately, she was bullied by classmates who became jealous of her talent.
Later, she appeared on television programs including Maury and The Rosie O’Donnell Show. As she joked in the memoir, “If Whitney Houston is the Queen of the Night, Joanna is the Princess of the Playground.”
In the summer of 1999, eight-year-old Levesque participated in a short phone interview with Kiss 108 FM, one of Boston’s biggest radio stations. She also met Britney Spears during the Kiss Concert lineup that year. Around the same period, she participated in a Broadway production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The Birth of JoJo
In early 2003, 12-year-old Levesque competed on America’s Most Talented Kids. She lost to a violinist and felt devastated afterward. However, James Womack, a relative of Bobby Womack, recognized her talent and took her under his wing. He believed losing the competition could become a blessing in disguise.
Womack later connected her with producer Vincent Herbert, who encouraged her to create a stage name and stronger marketing identity. That process eventually led to the birth of “JoJo.” She later signed with Blackground Records under Barry Hankerson, Aaliyah’s uncle, and started working on her debut album.
Before releasing her self-titled debut album, the label wanted “Leave (Get Out)” to become her first single. JoJo felt the song leaned too heavily into pop rather than R&B. Still, the album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. Released on June 22, 2004, the project launched her career into the mainstream.
She also joined Usher’s Confessions Tour as an opening act while “Leave (Get Out)” received heavy rotation on MTV’s Total Request Live. During that period, she met Christina Aguilera, who allegedly gave her a cold shoulder. On the other hand, members of Destiny’s Child welcomed her warmly and offered encouragement.
Fame, Heartbreak, and Industry Pressure
JoJo later met her first true love, professional soccer player Freddy Adu. The two eventually began dating. Around the same time, Vincent Herbert introduced her to hitmakers such as Stargate, Diane Warren, and Swizz Beatz for her sophomore album, The High Road.
Although “Too Little Too Late” peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, the album itself underperformed commercially. In the summer of 2006, she also made her acting debut in Aquamarine. Eventually, her relationship with Freddy Adu ended, though they remained friends.
Meanwhile, tensions grew between JoJo and her Blackground Records team. Barry Hankerson and Vincent Herbert focused on developing newer artists, and JoJo felt increasingly isolated. Herbert eventually worked closely with Toni Braxton and became romantically involved with Tamar Braxton.
During this difficult transition, JoJo also witnessed the rapid rise of Lady Gaga after the success of The Fame. Eventually, JoJo separated professionally from Herbert and found new management under M.M. She focused on EP releases and social media promotion to maintain her fanbase.
Losing Herself While Searching for Stability
During her late teens, JoJo promoted music through MySpace while trying to remain relevant in the spotlight. Although she graduated from high school, college never became part of her plans because music remained her primary focus.
At one point, Solange invited JoJo to a party where she reunited with Beyoncé. JoJo admired how supportive and grounded their family remained despite massive success.
She also described the music industry as being “like a goldfish,” where artists are quickly forgotten. Songs she worked on often remained unreleased, and her single “Disaster” failed commercially. JoJo later collaborated briefly with producer Noah ’40’ Shebib, though the partnership ended quickly after they lost interest in her direction.
Throughout her late teens and early twenties, she used drugs, alcohol, casual sex, and binge drinking to numb emotional pain. As she matured, those habits no longer felt exciting or fulfilling. Instead, they became emotionally and physically damaging.
Recovery and Rebuilding
“Eventually, JoJo sought treatment and therapy to focus on recovery. During her time in New York practicing yoga, she became friends with Francia Raisa. Around that same period, friendships with Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift helped support her through career struggles.”
Later, her lawyer informed her that Blackground Records had officially released her from her contract. In 2014, she signed with Atlantic Records and began working on her comeback album, Mad Love. Unfortunately, she also learned that her father had become seriously ill because of addiction.
While developing a more mature and soulful sound for Mad Love, JoJo entered a toxic romantic relationship that eventually collapsed. Soon afterward, her mother informed her that her father had passed away in 2015 after years of prescription drug abuse. The loss devastated her.
JoJo later admitted that many of her relationships created confusion, frustration, and self-doubt. Casual flings often lacked emotional connection, leaving her feeling empty. By her 25th birthday, she began journaling regularly to support her healing process.
The Return of JoJo
Mad Love symbolized the loyalty her fans showed during her darkest years. The album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200, though she admitted it was not the comeback she originally envisioned. She supported the project by joining tours for Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, and Fifth Harmony.
During that era, she also met Victoria Monét, whose ambition impressed her deeply. JoJo entered another romantic relationship with a close male friend who introduced her to veganism and shared his love for vinyl records. However, the relationship eventually collapsed after infidelity.
Touring also intensified her insecurities about body image and dieting. Her manager, M.M., allegedly made toxic comments about her appearance, leading JoJo to sever professional ties.
Later, JoJo departed from Atlantic Records and signed with Interscope Records in 2017. A collaboration with PJ Morton on “Say So” leaned heavily into contemporary R&B. Despite concerns from her team about leaving the pop market behind, she wanted to create music that felt soulful and authentic.
Eventually, “Say So” earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song. Soon afterward, PJ Morton informed her that they had won the Grammy, marking one of the proudest moments of her career.
Moving Forward After Heartbreak
JoJo later hired a new manager named Katie and continued developing her album Good to Know. The project explored her personal struggles, relationships, and emotional growth while embracing a more consistent R&B sound. Released during the COVID-19 pandemic, the album reached number one on Billboard’s R&B album charts.
During the summer of 2020, JoJo also attended protests supporting the Black Lives Matter movement following the murder of George Floyd. Around that period, she entered another relationship and became more open about learning from past mistakes involving cheating.
In early 2021, she appeared on The Masked Singer alongside judges including Robin Thicke, Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, and Nicole Scherzinger. Although she struggled with severe stage fright, support from her mother and boyfriend helped her overcome it.
As pandemic restrictions eased in late 2021, JoJo prepared for a larger headlining tour and began creating the EP Trying Not to Think About It. The project focused heavily on anxiety, romantic pain, and emotional storytelling rather than traditional pop formulas. Aaron strongly supported the concept and believed the EP showcased JoJo’s artistic maturity.
Lessons From Fame and Love
At the same time, JoJo realized the music industry rarely functions like a family. She learned that executives often prioritize themselves before the artists they represent. That lesson became one of the biggest realities she carried throughout her career.
Meanwhile, her personal life took another painful turn. During a romantic vacation to Puerto Rico, her boyfriend proposed to her, and the couple began planning a wedding. However, the relationship eventually deteriorated after she discovered he was emotionally involved with someone else. She ended the engagement, removed her ring, and walked away from the relationship permanently.
JoJo later reflected on the legacy of Tina Turner and admired her resilience through racism, abuse, ageism, and personal hardship. Turner’s fearlessness inspired JoJo to continue reclaiming her own voice and identity.
In the Spring of 2024, JoJo reached her first Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge. On January 22, 2025, JoJo released her EP, NGL, which featured eight tracks. She began her Too Much to Say tour on February 22, 2025, to promote this project, and Pop-R&B rising star, Emmy Meli, joined her as an opening act.
NGL is available on music streaming services
Order the “Over The Influence” Memoir
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