JoJo’s Troubled Journey: Addiction, Early Sexual Experience, Infidelity, and Love for Robin Williams

JoJo Reveals Shocking Insights in Her Memoir ‘Over the Influence’

JoJo, the beloved pop star known for her powerful voice and early fame, has opened up about her tumultuous life in her memoir, ‘Over the Influence.’ Released on September 17, JoJo, born Joanna Noëlle Levesque, shares her personal journey filled with struggles, triumphs, and heartache. In an interview, she exclaimed her surprise at finally publishing her memoir: “I did not have that on my bingo card for 33, but I’m so happy. I feel a lot of joy, a lot of excitement, and a lot of gratitude that I get to put my story out there.”

The memoir begins with vivid recollections of her childhood, where JoJo was influenced by her mother, Diana, a former singer, and her late father, Joel. Following their divorce when she was just five, JoJo distanced herself from her father after his struggle with addiction. While her mother took on a managerial role for JoJo’s budding career, she faced her own challenges, including a severe mental health crisis.

JoJo candidly discusses her battle with addiction—not just to substances but also to love and validation. She reflects on her upbringing in church basements as her parents attended Alcoholics Anonymous. The singer reveals her attempt to escape the pressures of fame through alcohol and marijuana, stating, “I was in a full-blown addiction to love and validation, s– and stimulation.” JoJo recalls her father’s warning: “Addiction is like Arnold Schwarzenegger in your backyard pumping iron, just waiting for you. It’s going to come for you.”

Though she initially didn’t see herself as a pop singer, JoJo found fame early, signing with a record label at 12 and releasing her hit single “Leave (Get Out)” in 2004. She grapples with the confines of categorization in the music industry and the confusion it created in her life. “It was just confusing to me, and that set in motion a lot of confusion in my life,” she reflects.

Her experiences also included touring with Usher, which brought on feelings of guilt and imposter syndrome. JoJo describes this opportunity as both validating and intimidating given her race and genre crossover. Additionally, she shares her jealousy of co-star Emma Roberts from the movie Aquamarine, pondering how her life might have been different if she’d enjoyed similar privileges.

A notable aspect of her memoir is JoJo’s admiration for the late Robin Williams, with whom she worked on RV. She reminisces about his kindness and comedic genius, highlighting their connection during filming. JoJo also touches on her friendship with Selena Gomez, noting the relief and comfort she felt in their bond, despite occasional pangs of jealousy over their differing career paths.

The memoir also delves into more personal and painful moments, including her experiences with sexual assault during her late teens and early twenties, and the challenges in her romantic relationships, particularly incidents of infidelity. JoJo’s honesty about losing her virginity at 14 to soccer player Freddy Adu showcases her early encounters with love and the complications that followed.

In ‘Over the Influence,’ JoJo has crafted a raw and relatable narrative, reflecting on her past struggles with addiction, the pressures of fame, and the complexities of her personal relationships. Through it all, she hopes her story resonates with readers, bringing light to the discussions of mental health and personal growth in the entertainment industry.