JoJo, the American singer, songwriter, and actress who rose to fame in the early 2000s, was a true pop sensation. Her breakthrough single, “Leave (Get Out)” released when she was just 13 years old, skyrocketed her to stardom. Her music resonated with a wide audience, and her powerful vocals earned her a place among pop royalty. But as with many child stars, JoJo’s journey to fame was fraught with struggles that few knew about.

From the outside, everything seemed perfect for JoJo. She was living the dream, recording music, starring in movies like Aquamarine and RV, and even performing alongside Usher on her first tour. But behind the scenes, JoJo was facing unimaginable pressures from her record label, Blackground Records. At just 12 years old, JoJo signed a contract that would later hold her music hostage for years. The label not only controlled her career but also began to control her body in a deeply disturbing way.

JoJo’s rise to fame was quick, but her success came at a heavy price. The label demanded that she lose weight, and at such a young age, JoJo felt the pressure to comply. She was forced to undergo weight loss treatments, including daily injections that suppressed her appetite. The injections were part of a diet regimen that restricted her to only 500 calories a day, which is dangerously low. JoJo later revealed that these weight loss practices were meant to meet the label’s demands for her to look a certain way—one that was deemed marketable in the music industry. She was told that if she didn’t look “perfect,” her music wouldn’t be released.

For a 12-year-old, this was devastating. JoJo was growing up in the public eye and constantly faced scrutiny over her appearance. She later confessed that she was caught in a toxic cycle where she stayed in a constant state of trying to be smaller and smaller in order to keep her career afloat. The industry’s harsh standards for young women took a toll on her mental and physical health.

Throughout her teen years, JoJo struggled with self-esteem issues, and the pressure only intensified. Her record label became more controlling, even going so far as to prevent her from releasing new music. She spent nearly seven years in a legal battle to escape the restrictive contract that Blackground Records had locked her into. JoJo fought for her freedom, but the record label was determined to hold onto her.

In 2013, JoJo filed a lawsuit against Blackground Records, claiming that she was a minor when she signed the contract and should not be bound to its terms. Despite the label’s attempts to dismiss the case and drag the legal proceedings out, JoJo’s determination paid off. Her fans, who had never forgotten her, rallied behind her with a #FreeJoJo campaign, and in 2014, JoJo was finally free from the chains of her past contract.

But even after her legal victory, JoJo’s road to recovery was far from over. The years of mistreatment took a toll on her. During the time her music was locked away, she turned to other outlets, including acting in films, but found that even her career in Hollywood was being sabotaged by the same label. JoJo was even intimidated by men sent by the label to stop her from pursuing other opportunities.

Despite all these challenges, JoJo refused to give up. She eventually signed with Atlantic Records, and in 2015, she released her third studio album, Mad Love, a full decade after her second album. By then, JoJo was no longer the same young girl who had entered the industry. She had grown, both as an artist and as a person. Her music reflected that growth, with bold new sounds and deeply personal lyrics. It was a return to form, but not without the scars of the past.

JoJo continued to build her career in the following years, releasing new music and even making her Broadway debut in 2023. She has since been able to reclaim control over her voice and her career. In 2019, she launched her own label in partnership with Warner Records, where she released her single “Joanna,” a powerful reflection on the struggles she faced throughout the decade-long battle with her former label.

Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the pressures young artists face in the entertainment industry, particularly when they are vulnerable and taken advantage of by powerful figures. JoJo’s fight for independence and her return to the music scene is a testament to her resilience and strength. Despite everything she endured, JoJo has continued to thrive and create music that resonates with her fans, proving that she’s still here—and she’s stronger than ever.

JoJo’s journey may have been long and difficult, but it shows the power of perseverance. She’s not just a pop star from the 2000s—she’s an artist who survived the industry’s darkest side, found herself, and is now sharing her truth with the world.