5 Shocking Ways JoJo Siwa’s New Song “Karma” Changed Her Career Forever

The internet has been buzzing for months, and as of today, December 12, 2025, the conversation around JoJo Siwa’s musical direction and public persona is more intense than ever. The former *Dance Moms* star and children's entertainer has officially shed her signature colorful bows and high-energy pop, launching a dramatic, edgy rebrand centered on her controversial 2024 single, "Karma." This single was not just a new song; it was a scorched-earth policy for her past image, leading to chart success, viral memes, and a shocking "stolen song" scandal that rocked the music world.

The release of "Karma" on April 5, 2024, and the subsequent *Guilty Pleasure* EP in July 2024 marked a pivotal, and often polarizing, moment in her career, setting the stage for her latest single, "Infinity Heart," released on September 26, 2025. This article dives deep into the drastic shift, the controversies, and the lasting impact of her most talked-about musical era.

Joelle Joanie "JoJo" Siwa: A Quick Biography and Career Profile

Joelle Joanie "JoJo" Siwa is an American singer, dancer, actress, and media personality who rose to international fame through reality television and a massive YouTube presence. Her career trajectory is one of the most unique in modern entertainment, transitioning from a reality star to a global brand before attempting a dramatic musical rebrand.

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• Full Name: Joelle Joanie Siwa
• Born: May 19, 2003
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 22 years old
• Birth Place: Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
• Early Career: Siwa first gained attention at age 9 on the reality competition show *Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition*.
• Breakthrough: She became a fixture on *Dance Moms* from 2015 to 2016, which propelled her into a successful YouTube and merchandising career, famously centered on her oversized hair bows and bright, rainbow-themed aesthetic.
• Major Songs (Pre-Rebrand): "Boomerang," "Kid in a Candy Store," and "Hold the Drama."
• Major Milestone: She was the youngest contestant ever on *Dancing with the Stars* in 2021.
• Public Identity: Siwa came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in January 2021.

The "Karma" Earthquake: How One Song Changed Everything

The anticipation leading up to "Karma" was immense, fueled by Siwa's calculated media appearances where she teased a complete 180-degree shift from her previous "Siwanator" brand. The song, a fierce, synth-driven track about infidelity and retribution, was a far cry from her family-friendly bubblegum pop. Its release and the accompanying music video, which featured a dark, almost KISS-like makeup and an aggressively queer, edgy aesthetic, immediately sparked a global debate.

1. The Shocking Image Rebrand: From Bows to Black Leather

The most immediate and talked-about change was JoJo Siwa's visual transformation. For years, her look—the high ponytail, the giant bows, and the glitter—was her trademark and the foundation of a billion-dollar merchandise empire. With "Karma," that look was violently discarded. The music video showcased her in heavy, dark makeup, elaborate costumes with dramatic shoulder pads, and a distinct lack of any rainbow colors. Critics and fans alike noted the extreme shift, with some praising her attempt to mature her brand and others calling it a desperate, inauthentic attempt at "shock value" or a failed celebrity PR move.

The new image was a deliberate move to establish her as a serious, adult pop artist, drawing comparisons to Miley Cyrus's post-Disney transformation. This new persona, which Siwa herself described as "gay pop," was designed to appeal to an older, more mature demographic and align with her identity as a young adult.

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2. The Viral 'Stolen Song' Controversy with Brit Smith

Perhaps the biggest scandal surrounding the single was the accusation that "Karma" was not an original JoJo Siwa song. Days after its release, a 2012 unreleased music video by pop singer Brit Smith for a song also titled "Karma" and featuring nearly identical lyrics and melody resurfaced online. Internet sleuths quickly determined that the track was originally slated for a different artist, leading to widespread accusations that Siwa had "stolen" the song.

The intense backlash was partially mitigated when the original singer, Brit Smith, publicly came to Siwa's defense. Smith confirmed that the song was indeed a demo she had recorded but was never officially released. She stated that Siwa was "in the right" and that it was a common practice in the music industry for songs to be passed around to different artists. Despite this clarification, the controversy added a layer of negative publicity, ironically embodying the song's theme of "karma" catching up to her.

The *Guilty Pleasure* Era and New Musical Entities

"Karma" served as the lead single for JoJo Siwa's fourth extended play (EP), titled *Guilty Pleasure*, which was released on July 12, 2024, through Columbia Records. The EP solidified her commitment to the new sound, moving away from her past material entirely. The project features five songs, each exploring themes of self-empowerment, relationships, and the complexities of growing up in the spotlight.

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3. The Tracklist That Defined the Rebrand: *Guilty Pleasure* EP

The EP’s title, *Guilty Pleasure*, is a nod to the polarizing nature of her new music and image. The tracklist is short, sharp, and focused on establishing her new artistic identity.

• "Guilty Pleasure" (Title Track)
• "Balance Baby"
• "Yesterday's Tomorrow's Today"
• "Choose Ur Fighter"
• "Karma"

Songs like "Choose Ur Fighter" and "Balance Baby" further showcase her commitment to a high-energy, confident, and slightly aggressive pop sound, cementing the topical authority of her new musical direction. The EP's overall reception was mixed, with critics acknowledging the boldness of the rebrand but questioning the authenticity and originality of the music itself.

4. The Latest Single: "Infinity Heart" (Released September 2025)

Proving that the "Karma" era was not a one-off stunt, JoJo Siwa released her newest single, "Infinity Heart," on September 26, 2025. This release coincided with her upcoming tour, suggesting a continued focus on her music career as a touring artist. "Infinity Heart" maintains the high production value and mature themes of the *Guilty Pleasure* EP, but without the intense controversy that surrounded "Karma."

The new single is seen by many as a more stable step in her rebrand, moving past the shock value and settling into a consistent musical style. The song and its accompanying low-key "music video" (which she admitted was rushed due to tour preparation) demonstrate her dedication to the adult pop genre and her desire to be taken seriously as a singer-songwriter outside of her previous brand.

5. The Long-Term Impact: A New Generation of "Gay Pop"

The "Karma" rebrand has had a lasting effect on JoJo Siwa's career and the broader pop culture landscape. By deliberately and dramatically shedding her child star image, she forced the public to acknowledge her transition to adulthood. Her open embrace of "gay pop" and her new, queer-coded aesthetic has positioned her as a controversial but significant figure in LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream music. While the transition was messy and generated significant backlash, it successfully generated the attention and discussion needed to launch her new career phase. The music, the controversy, and the complete image overhaul have made "Karma" a case study in celebrity rebrands, ensuring that JoJo Siwa's new song will be studied and discussed for years to come.