JoJo Siwa's adult era has piqued the interest of her former Dance Moms instructor.
In fact, Abby Lee Miller didn't hold back her thoughts on the 20-year-old's new look. After watching JoJo's "Karma" music video—which featured the singer in dark, KISS-like makeup as she gyrated against another woman—Abby said she didn't get why people were "making such a big deal about her rebranding."
"It's JoJo with paint on her face and a fabulous costume," the choreographer remarked in an April 5 TikTok video. "It used to be stars and rainbows and pink and lavender and turquoise, and now it's black."
The 58-year-old continued, "It's still her doing incredible dancing, so I don't know if it's so much as a rebranding or just maturing, getting older [and] wanting to show another side of her."
As for JoJo's edgy outfits, which were a far departure from her previous looks? "I thought the costumes were over-the-top," she raved. "Loved it all."
However, Abby noted that she thought JoJo looked the "most beautiful" when she was swimming underwater without any heavy makeup on.
"JoJo's a really pretty girl," she added. "She could do a lot of different looks, but I thought the under-the-water with the hair long was beautiful."
Abby and JoJo costarred in two seasons of Dance Moms from 2015 to 2016, when the dancer was just a pre-teen. Though JoJo later revealed that the stress of competing under the Abby Lee Dance Company gave her a bald spot, the two have seemingly been on good terms recent years.
"I talk to JoJo a lot," Abby told E! News in 2022. "We text a lot."
And as JoJo embarks a new chapter of her career, the former child star recently told E! that she feels "very lucky" to be able to grow with her fans.
"The way that I'm able to keep going and keep being like, 'Wait, actually what I'm doing is right,'" JoJo explained, "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.'"
To see JoJo's evolution through the years, keep reading.
September 2013
JoJo Siwa made her reality TV debut at age 9 while competing on the second season of Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition, judged by Abby Lee Miller.
May 2015
JoJo celebrated the launch of Abby Lee Dance Company LA's VIP Grand Opening.
May 2015
She rocked a glam jumpsuit at the 3rd Annual Reality TV Awards.
March 2017
JoJo accepted the award for Favorite Viral Music Artist at Nickelodeon's 2017 Kids' Choice Awards.
March 2018
She proved the sun never sets on a badass with her shades at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
July 2018
Batter up: JoJo donned a classic baseball outfit at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Sports.
August 2018
She showed off her signature style at the 2018 Teen Choice Awards.
March 2019
Even Kim Kardashian and North West keep up with the teen idol.
April 2019
JoJo's star-studded Sweet 16 included a special visit from the Kardashian-Jenner family, with North and Penelope Disick fan-girling over the birthday girl.
September 2019
JoJo belted her heart out while on tour.
November 2019
JoJo spent her Thanksgiving giving back.
February 2020
The Dance Moms alum was all smiles at the Lakers game.
March 2020
It was a party in the U.S.A when JoJo and Miley Cyrus hung out.
March 2020
Who's under that T-Rex? JoJo showed off her singing chops on The Masked Singer.
January 2021
JoJo came out on Instagram in 2020, wearing a shirt reading, "Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever."
June 2021
Later that year, she and then-girlfriend Kylie Prew celebrated Pride together.
September 2021
JoJo performed onstage during a screening for her Paramount+ original movie The J Team.
October 2021
Making history as the first same-sex Dancing With the Stars pair, JoJo competed with partner Jenna Johnson on season 30 of the reality competition series.
April 2022
She said bye, bye, bye bye to her signature ponytail.
July 2023
JoJo got inked during an outing with outing with Raven-Symoné and wife Miranda Pearman-Maday. For her first tattoo, she got the number 1031 behind her right ear in reference to her 2019 to 2022 D.R.E.A.M. The Tour concert series.
March 2024
The singer teased her next project might not be suitable for all ages.
"The following content is not made for children," she shared in a series of cryptic Instagram posts, "and may be disturbing or offensive to some viewers."
April 2024
JoJo debuted her more mature look at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards, rocking dark makeup and an edgy costume from her "Karma" music video.