JoJo Siwa is slammed over accusations she had an 11-year-old dancer wear 'blackface' to perform as a monkey in her latest music video - then flippantly boasting about blocking critics online
JoJo Siwa has hit back at 'mean' critics after being accused of having a young dancer perform in blackface in her latest music video, which she released on Juneteenth.
The 17-year-old singer's circus-themed video for her song 'Nonstop' features dancers dressed up as various animals, including Dance Moms star Lilliana Ketchman as a monkey. The white dancer, who just turned 12 this week, wore dark brown face makeup and ears.
While the comments on the video have been disabled, critics have been taking to Instagram and Twitter to call JoJo out for putting 'a little girl in blackface' dressed as a monkey — an animal that has historically been used to dehumanize Black people through racist imagery and caricatures.
Under fire: JoJo Siwa (left) has been accused of having white dancer Lilliana Ketchman (right) perform in 'blackface' in her new circus-themed music video for her song 'Nonstop'
Controversy: Lilliana, who just turned 12 years old this week, wore dark brown face makeup and ears to portray a monkey in the video
Others noted that the dancer released the music video on Juneteenth (June 19), a holiday commemorating the effective end of slavery in the United States.
'When is @itsjojosiwa going to address the little girl in black face in her latest music video?' one person tweeted, while another asked: 'Why is there a little girl in blackface in jojo siwa’s music video ??'
JoJo's fans have also criticized her for not using her platform to speak about the Black Lives Matters movement with her 9.5 million Instagram followers.
Instead of addressing the accusations or apologizing, JoJo took to Instagram to share a photo of herself giving the peace sign while revealing she has been blocking her critics
Theme: The 17-year-old's music vide features dancers dressed up as various animals
Timing: JoJo released the music video on Juneteenth (June 19), a holiday commemorating the effective end of slavery in the United States. The comments for the video have been disabled
'This is for all the people I blocked today... Peace out girl scout,' she wrote in the caption. 'This is my Instagram and anyone who is going to be mean is NOT going to be allowed on here.
'People are bossing me around, telling me who to follow, what to post, what to like, what to say, what to do, everything.
'It’s not about what you do on social media it’s about what you do in real life. I said it best when I was 12, "Hide behind the screen cause their [sic] just so mean. But we don’t play it like that, we don’t even fight back."
'And now this is for everyone who is being kind right now... Thank you!' she added. 'I really do see your posts, I really do read your captions, and I really do appreciate them. More than you know. Also side note... People went to my DOGS Instagram. My DOG. To hate on me. Iconic!'
JoJo limited the people who could comment on the post, which only had 24 positive messages as of Friday morning.
Outrage: Critics have been taking to Instagram and Twitter to call JoJo out for putting 'a little girl in blackface'
Lilliana, who was among those who were allowed to respond to the post, wrote: 'Yes!!! Same girl same!' It's unclear if Lilliana has also been facing backlash, but a Twitter user claimed that she had apologized for her part in the controversial music video.
JoJo's flippant response only led to more outrage, with one Twitter user — @canceljojo2020 — writing: 'So, JoJo? Care to explain why you still haven't reached out to apologize about putting an eleven year old into blackface make and then instead of apologizing, blocked everyone who commented, including your SUPPORTERS?'
'So JoJo Siwa blocked people who are asking her to speak out about BLM and had a little girl do blackface in her latest music video,' someone else commented.
Another shared: 'F*CK HER SHE STANDS BEHIND PUTTING AN 11 YEAR OLD GIRL IN BASICALLY BLACKFACE MAKEUP AND ITS EVEN WORSE THAT LILLY WAS MONKEY F*CK JOJO SIWA.'
Some started using the hashtag #jojosiwaisoverparty in their tweets slamming the teenage singer.
Doubling down: Instead of addressing the accusations or apologizing, JoJo took to Instagram to share a photo of herself giving the peace sign
Response: In the caption, she revealed she has blocked 'mean' critics on social media
Upset: JoJo's flippant response only led to more outrage online
In a statement shared with DailyMail.com, JoJo has denied that her Instagram post was related to the backlash she faced over her music video.
'My Instagram post yesterday had absolutely nothing to do with the criticism I received on my music video "NONSTOP,"' she said. 'I blocked certain people online and stopped following others because I was tired of seeing the personal hate on me.
'Some people will do anything for attention and that includes being mean. People were sending me really horrible and disgusting messages about my appearance, my sexuality, my content, and overall just being hateful.'
She also addressed the controversy surrounding the music video that she was shot back in February.
'We’re talking about kids dressing up as circus animals! No one in my video is wearing blackface,' she said. 'It’s awful that anyone’s mind would even go there. Kids dressing in animal costumes, having their faces painted to look like animals, acting the part. There were zebras, tigers, dogs, clowns, mermaids, everything.
Explanation: In a statement shared with DailyMail.com and on Instagram, JoJo insisted her post had nothing to do with her music video and also denied anyone was wearing blackface
'I’ve addressed Black Lives Matter issues previously on my social media,' she added. 'I will say it again for the ones in the back, Black Lives Matter, today, tomorrow, yesterday and forever. I’m on the right side of history here. Stop trying to make this about something it isn’t.'
She also shared the statement on her Instagram page on Friday.
JoJo showed her support for the Black Lives Matter movement on June 1 by posting a black square with her name written in white as well as a statement, though critics believe she should be doing more to educate herself and her fans.
'My life is all loving others. For the last 17 years of my life I have been taught to love and support everyone, and now that is something that I try and teach the new generation of kids everyday [sic],' she wrote. 'I’ve been silent and there is strength in silence, but this is something that is important. Black Lives Matter.
'Today they do, Yesterday they did, and forever they will. As they should. EVERYONE is equal and everyone is human. No matter your color, size, sexuality, if you are a good person, which is ALL that matters, I will stand by your side. Forever.'
Moving on: Lilliana, who was 11 when she filmed the music video, celebrated her 12th birthday on June 23
Not enough? JoJo posted a black square with her name written in white on June 1 to share her support for the Black Lives Matters movement
Piling on: JoJo has also been criticized for not using her platform to speak more about the Black Lives Matter movement and defending her former Dance Moms Coach Abby Lee Miller
Earlier this month, JoJo's former Dance Moms coach Abby Lee Miller was accused of making racist remarks to Adriana Smith and her daughter Kamryn, who appeared on season eight of the Lifetime reality series.
While the teen sensation never addressed allegations against Abby, she did defend the dance instructor in a recent interview promoting her controversial new video, much to the ire of her critics.
'It makes me really, really upset that I am one of the few — there's only a few people — that really truly thank Abby, and are thankful and grateful for what she's done for us. Because without her, Dance Moms wouldn't be a thing,' she told Entertainment Tonight.
One Twitter user made it clear that she wasn't surprised by JoJo's recent actions.
'Not JoJo Siwa having an 11-year-old girl dress up in blackface as a monkey in her mv and letting the 11-year-old take all the blame, defend Abby Lee Miller following proof of her racism, and post a bare minimum black square with her logo on it...,' she tweeted.
Another shared a video of her Entertainment Tonight interview, writing: 'Here’s JoJo Siwa defending known racist and abusive dance coach Abby Lee Miller only weeks ago AFTER Abby was exposed by past cast members for racially insensitive comments. She used each girls names [sic] and victim blamed how they handled their abuse. #jojosiwaisoverparty.'
