Girlfriend
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life and Advice
  • Entertainment
  • Role Model Search
  • Dolly Doctor
  • Video
Girlfriend
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life and Advice
  • Entertainment
  • Role Model Search
  • Dolly Doctor
  • Video
  1. Home
  2. Entertainment

Jojo Siwa responds to accusations her "NONSTOP" music video features blackface

The bubblegum pop princess says she's blocked a lot of online hate recently.
  • 30 Jun 2020

CW: References to blackface and negative racial stereotypes about Black people

Jojo Siwa responds to accusations her "NONSTOP" music video features blackface

Bubblegum pop singer Jojo Siwa has admitted she's been blocking people on Instagram after experiencing an unprecedented level of hate online.

Last week, Siwa released the music video to her song “NONSTOP.” It’s a cute and colourful clip of Siwa performing in a circus with her background dancers chalked up with powder and makeup, dressed as various animals and circus performers. The thing is though, some fans are accusing the singer for a person allegedly committing blackface in the music video.

JoJo Siwa "NONSTOP" (Official Music Video)

In the music video above, one of the performers is seen dressed as a monkey with shades of dark makeup on their face. Whether intentional or not, the idea of someone dressing as a monkey and darkening their face has a long racist history and reinforces a cruel racist view of Black people as "animals".

As the Instagram post below explains, blackface refers to a non-Black person darkening their skin to impersonate a Black person. In the 19th century and beyond, these depictions often were the only form of "representation" for Black people, and depicted them as “lazy, superstitious, dim-witted, hypersexual, criminal and cowardly,” or in this case, like an animal. 

Blackface is a historically harmful and dangerous thing because it not only perpetuates offensive stereotypes of the Black community, but has taken away employment opportunities for black people in the modern era.

sainthoax View Profile
View Post on Instagram
Many "influencers" have been sharing photos of themselves wearing blackface as an act of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Even after receiving backlash, some are still refusing to take down their posts. How can you "spread awareness" about a subject you know so little about? If you genuinely care about a cause, the least you can do is educate yourself about it. It's infuriating that we still need to educate people about the racist and painful history of blackface. We shouldn't be having this conversation in 2020.

In a recent Instagram post, Siwa addressed this criticism and stressed that “no one in my video is wearing blackface.”

“It’s awful that anyone’s mind would even go there,” she wrote. “Kids dressing in animal costumes, having their faces painted to look like animals, acting the part. There were zebras, tigers, dogs, clowns, mermaids, everything.”

The former Dance Moms teen, who reminded her fans that “Black Lives Matter, today, tomorrow, yesterday and forever,” admitted that since the accusations, she’s been experiencing a wave of online hate towards her. 

“I blocked certain people online and stopped following others because I was tired of seeing the personal hate on me,” she said, stressing that her response was not related to the criticism about her music video. “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… I’m on the right side of history here. Stop trying to make this about something it isn’t.”

itsjojosiwa View Profile
View Post on Instagram
I need to set the record straight about a few things because some have been irresponsible in recent stories and posts about me, and everyone seems to rush to conclusions without having all of the facts. My instagram post yesterday had absolutely nothing to do with the criticism I received on my music video 'NONSTOP.' 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. More importantly, I would like to address the music video that we shot for 'NONSTOP' in February. We're talking about kids dressing up as circus animals! No one in my video is wearing blackface. 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. I've addressed Black Lives Matter issues previously on my social media, 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. I love my real fans and am so grateful for their love and support. Instead of trying to drag everyone down, let's be positive and come back like a boomerang.

In other news, Siwa recently removed her trademark blonde side ponytail in a dramatic hair change, only to return to it again days after.

itsjojosiwa View Profile
View Post on Instagram
brown hair was fun.... but blonde is my thing!!!👱🏻‍♀️

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%

Recommended to you

Sophie Monk drops another epic Love Island trailer
Watch 1:00

Sophie Monk drops another epic Love Island trailer

{headline}

{headline}

JoJo Siwa's Complete Dating History Has Us In Our Feels

JoJo Siwa's Complete Dating History Has Us In Our Feels

JoJo Siwa Reveals First Pics Of Her And Her Girlfriend Kylie

JoJo Siwa Reveals First Pics Of Her And Her Girlfriend Kylie

JoJo Siwa’s Dance Moms Instructor Abby Lee Miller Reacts To Teen's Coming Out

JoJo Siwa’s Dance Moms Instructor Abby Lee Miller Reacts To Teen's Coming Out

James Charles says he was sent “death threats” after his Jojo Siwa makeover vid

James Charles says he was sent “death threats” after his Jojo Siwa makeover vid

{headline}

{headline}

JoJo Siwa looked nearly unrecognisable after James Charles gave her a makeover

JoJo Siwa looked nearly unrecognisable after James Charles gave her a makeover

Jojo Siwa just revealed her new boyfriend on TikTok

Jojo Siwa just revealed her new boyfriend on TikTok

Jojo Siwa just dyed her hair brown and looks like her badass evil twin

Jojo Siwa just dyed her hair brown and looks like her badass evil twin

{headline}

{headline}

Jojo Siwa's first-ever movie will be produced by Will Smith

Jojo Siwa's first-ever movie will be produced by Will Smith

Jojo Siwa just revealed what she looks like without her iconic ponytail

Jojo Siwa just revealed what she looks like without her iconic ponytail

JoJo Siwa's new makeup line contains dangerously high levels of asbestos!!!

JoJo Siwa's new makeup line contains dangerously high levels of asbestos!!!

North West is about to become a Youtuber

North West is about to become a Youtuber

JoJo Siwa just had the best clapback at Justin Bieber

JoJo Siwa just had the best clapback at Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber and JoJo Siwa are feuding, and what is 2018??

Justin Bieber and JoJo Siwa are feuding, and what is 2018??

Tana Mongeau dressed as 'sexy JoJo Siwa' and fans are SO angry

Tana Mongeau dressed as 'sexy JoJo Siwa' and fans are SO angry

Girlfriend
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Girlfriend

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%