Reading a memoir takes you on a journey through mostly untold chapters and parts of someone’s life, and often fills in the blanks that we have been curious about for a while. There is only so much that people in the public eye share with the world, some more some less, and there is almost always more to the story. So when Miss Joanna ‘JoJo’ Levesque announced her memoir Over The Influence, we knew she was gonna take us on an emotional rollercoaster and give us her all.
When Jo first started teasing her memoir, we could only imagine what it would entail. But boy oh boy, she left no crumbs! Being a huge fan of hers myself, I was left with an even bigger feeling of the utmost respect and admiration for her strength, resilience, bravery and overall story. We knew what she’s been through, but we didn’t know half the story. I suggest you read the book first and then come back here to avoid any unwanted spoilers.
Growing up, JoJo didn’t have the easiest upbringing. While she was raised by struggling parents, they did their best to make it work. In school, Jo was bullied and alone a lot which is something I can unfortunately resonate with. The way she talked about it in her audiobook reminded me of my own teenage years, feeling misunderstood and never enough. It’s not easy to admit it, but a lot of us have walked in the same shoes so we get it. But to us, our favorite artists seem like superheroes until the moment we get a look into their chamber of past trauma and imperfections. Hard to believe, but they are only human after all.
In the first few chapters of her memoir, Jo focuses on her childhood and the early relationship with her parents. No matter how difficult it was at times, music has always played a big role in their household and created a connection and way of bonding like nothing else. Just like a lot of fans have found each other through being a part of the Clovers fandom and meeting their mutuals at her shows. If you listen to the same artist and relate to their music on a deeper level, you are most likely sharing similar life experiences. Thank God for music, right?
When JoJo got her start in music, she had no idea what was waiting for her around the corner or further down the line. She was promised the world, she felt powerful for the first time and worked her hardest to be taken seriously as she was only 13 years old at the time. Being a female artist in general is a challenge itself, but being this young comes with its own additional hardships.
If you have followed her career or taken time to get to know JoJo as a human being behind the name, you know that she has been a hustler from the start and has always worked her absolute hardest to be heard. Her voice is out of this world and has touched fans around the world in ways she can’t even begin to imagine.
But no matter how talented you are, the struggles you are put through can take a huge hit on your mental health and almost force you to find a way to cope and numb the pain. Too often, that results in unhealthy habits and patterns that will be tough and seemingly impossible to break when the time comes to get your shit together. As hard as it may be: the only way out is through. Jo made it to the other side – despite all the obstacles on the road – and so can you. If you read the book, you will understand the extent of it and that it took all of her to make it out in one piece.
Even when she was blocked from releasing music and having the career she always dreamt of and knew she deserved, she didn’t stop fighting for her rightful spot in the industry. Jo has a god-given gift and it was only a matter of time until she found a way to not just blossom into her full potential, but give her fans the music that was gonna change their lives beyond belief.
In her book, Jo stated: “My fans were literally holding me up when I could literally fall at any second” but little does she know that – at the same time – she has been a comfort person and role model to her Clovers and anyone whose hearts she touched; having more positive impact than she will ever realize.
Speaking from personal experience, I can tell you that JoJo is – without a doubt – one of the kindest, most genuine and supportive human beings I have ever crossed paths with in this industry. She has always been truly grateful for anyone who has shown her love and support and has never stopped being her humble, kind and sincere self.
While we got to know more of her story now and understand a lot of chapters much better, Jo is not defined by the failed relationships she’s been in, the struggles she’s faced or the loss and heartache she’s experienced. No one should be. That’s not what I’m taking away from her memoir or what I’ve learnt from it. Instead, it has told me a remarkable story of a woman who made it to the other side, despite the weight her heart and mind had to carry. But while that made it hard for her to move forward in life and her career, she always kept going and didn’t give up, even when it was the much easier option.
This memoir is a story of growth, hardships, vulnerability turned into strength, defying odds and reclaiming power. Each one of us will take away something different from this book, but what I can only encourage you to remember is that this is not about all that went wrong in her life and the pain and trouble it caused. Instead, look at the bigger picture. It’s about who she’s become because of it.
If it wasn’t for all she’s been through, Joanna ‘JoJo’ Levesque wouldn’t be the outstanding woman and exceptional artist she is today. She wouldn’t be such a huge inspiration and role model to a whole generation nor would she have made the music that has made millions of fans feel understood and less alone. We learn the biggest lessons in life and become the strongest soldiers by fighting the toughest battles.
At the end of the day, Jo is one of us and her story is one that had to be told in her own words and will certainly make its waves in the lives and hearts of the people who love her most or complete strangers who never knew they needed to hear her story to turn around their own. So get your own copies, listen to the audiobook for the full effect and show Jo the love and respect she has earned, being the legend she is.
ROARA Magazine 