In a classic case of there being no such thing as bad publicity, former child star JoJo Siwa is taking the high road and embracing the satirical SNL skit that playfully mocked her dramatic new “bad girl” image and persona.
The May 4th Weekend Update segment saw comedian Chloe Fineman deliver an exaggerated impersonation of the 20-year-old pop singer’s recent edgy makeover.
Sporting Siwa’s signature sparkly black ensemble, face jewels, and sleek hairstyle from her buzzy “Karma” music video, Fineman perfectly captured the exaggerated swagger and vocal affectations Siwa has adopted for this new chapter.
“That’s right, Colin, I’m a bad girl now,” Fineman declared with a mischievous grin, flashing rock on hand symbols at Colin Jost.
“I used to be rainbow sparkles, and now, I’m black sparkles. I look like if a figure skater joined a street gang,” the impersonator quipped, nailing Siwa’s higher-pitched vocal cadence.
Fineman’s Siwa impersonation then leaned into the “bad girl era” the former Dance Moms star has proclaimed herself to be entering.
The skit also took amusing jabs at Siwa’s recent viral comments to Billboard magazine, where she boldly claimed to be starting “a new genre of music…called ‘gay pop.'”
The quotes raised eyebrows from some LGBTQ+ music artists, prompting Siwa to later clarify that she simply wants “gay pop artists” to have more representation on mainstream charts.
“But JoJo, you were quoted as saying you invented a new genre of music?” a bemused Jost asked during the sketch.
“That’s right – gay pop!” Fineman’s Siwa exclaimed confidently.
“I think that’s maybe just pop,” Jost responded through laughter at the absurdity.
While the skit certainly poked fun at Siwa’s current rebranding efforts and her formerly child-oriented persona, the subject of the jokes herself took it all in stride.
Reposting the SNL clip to her Instagram story, Siwa appeared to be flattered by the nationally televised parody.
“I literally don’t know what to say. This is f—— crazy. 3 and a half minute skit on SNL…” the singer wrote, adding that it was “ironic” for SNL to devote an entire segment to satirizing her transformation.
Siwa first teased her edgier look and sound at the iHeart Radio Music Awards on April 1st. Days later, she officially unveiled her “Karma” single and its dramatic, occult-themed music video – a far cry from her signature colorful, youthful aesthetic of years past.
The bold creative rebirth signaled Siwa’s intention to retire her former child star imagery as she matures into adulthood and the pop mainstream.
Her self-aware ability to laugh at the SNL parody indicates Siwa is embracing the growing pains and public skepticism that often accompanies such artistic reinventions.
By taking the jokes in stride and continuing to promote her new direction, she displays a level of self-confidence and thick skin that should serve her well.
After all, having your evolution as an artist satirized on a legendary comedy institution like SNL is a rite of passage of sorts.
From Siwa’s perspective, even though the skit may have stung a bit, there’s no such thing as bad publicity when you’re going through a metamorphosis in the public eye.
As her former fan base gets accustomed to JoJo 2.0 and her “gay pop” sound, the SNL skit will likely be remembered as an iconic milestone in the singer’s transition from a tween superstar to a fearlessly authentic pop rebel.
If she can continue taking the jokes and criticism in stride while backing up her new persona with quality music, Siwa’s risqué reinvention may just pay off in spades.
