Tori Spelling praises JoJo Siwa despite criticism of rebrand: ‘You kick ass’

Tori Spelling praises JoJo Siwa despite criticism of rebrand: ‘You kick ass’

JoJo Siwa has a fan in Tori Spelling.

The “Beverly Hills, 90210” alum gushed over the former “Dance Moms” star via her Instagram Story on Thursday following the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards, which took place in Los Angeles.

Atop a snapshot they took at the event on Monday, Spelling wrote, “And, this one … we bonded over my kiddos and I’ve loved watching your journey and you kick ass!”

Tori Spelling praised JoJo Siwa after she was criticized for her head-turning rebrand after they caught up at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday. Getty Images for iHeartRadio Taking to her Instagram Story Thursday with a snap of them at the event, she penned, “And, this one … we bonded over my kiddos and I’ve loved watching your journey and you kick ass!” Instagram/@torispelling

The 50-year-old actress’ sweet message comes as Siwa, 20, receives sharp criticism for her ongoing rebrand from a glittery child icon to a mature young adult.

Last week, she released a clip of her new single, “Karma,” which features cursing and cheeky lyrics like, “I was a bad girl, I did some bad things.” She also resembled Britney Spears by rocking a nude illusion catsuit for its music video, which premieres Friday with the entire song.

For her iHeartRadio appearance, she seemingly channeled the rock group Kiss with a black, bedazzled, mesh and fishnet catsuit. She styled her hair in a braided mohawk and painted black shapes around her eyes, her chin and down her chest.

The “Dance Moms” alum has been under fire recently as she makes her transition from child star to adulthood. FilmMagic She teased her upcoming single, “Karma,” last week. The song includes cursing and cryptic lyrics about her being a “bad girl.” Getty Images for iHeartRadio She has also been experimenting with her style and wore a bedazzled catsuit and black makeup that resembled the band Kiss at the iHeart Radio Awards this week. Getty Images for iHeartRadio

People aren’t just questioning Siwa’s “hilarious and sad” rebrand because of her new sense of style and music, but because she compared herself to Miley Cyrus’ transition into adulthood with her 2013 album “Bangerz.”

“someone please tell jojo siwa that to pull off a miley cyrus bangerz era she actually needs to be talented enough for anyone to care,” one X user slammed ahead of the release of “Karma.”

“Jojo siwa comparing herself to Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears pissed me off for the entire week,” a second person complained.

Yet another angry X user wrote, “Jojo siwa needs to stop saying stupid things promoting that lazy ass lady Gaga wannabe type of song.”

Some fans are upset she has compared herself to Miley Cyrus, who made waves with her racy “Bangerz” album and matching persona in 2013. Jamie McCarthy “someone please tell jojo siwa that to pull off a miley cyrus bangerz era she actually needs to be talented,” one X user slammed. WireImage

Despite the disapproval on social media, Siwa seems to be feeling confident with the direction she’s headed.

“People are afraid of things they don’t know,” Siwa explained to E! News on the red carpet at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. “Things can be scary for people. New things can be very, very scary.”


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“The way that I’m able to keep going and keep being like, ‘Wait, actually what I’m doing is right’ is because some of the most respected people in the world have come up to me and been like, ‘What you’re doing right now is so right. It is what the world needs, and I’m learning from what you are doing right now,'” she added.

However, Siwa is not letting the hate get her down. itsjojosiwa/Instagram “People are afraid of things they don’t know,” Siwa explained to E! News on the red carpet at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. jojosiwa/Instagram

In addition to Spelling, who recently filed for divorce from Dean McDermott after 18 years of marriage, Siwa was also praised by Kiss rocker Gene Simmons.

“JoJo is cool. Anybody who doesn’t get it is just jealous, period,” he told TMZ Wednesday.

“Never be ordinary. Always be extraordinary. JoJo is extraordinary and she looks cool.”