JoJo Siwa Channels Bette Davis with Short Curly Transformation

8 July 2025

credit:@itsjojosiwa instagram

JoJo Siwa surprised fans on July 7 by stepping away from her signature long, pin-straight ponytail and debuting a short, curly bob inspired by Hollywood icon Bette Davis, a look she premiered in tandem with a TikTok video of her covering Kim Carnes’ classic “Bette Davis Eyes”  In the clip, Siwa croons the famous lines, “She knows just what it takes to make a pro blush… she’s got Bette Davis eyes,” showcasing both her new hairstyle and her evolving musical direction. Her transformation is complete with soft blonde curls, a bold red lip, and rosy cheeks, signaling a deliberate nod to old Hollywood glamour as she continues to push creative boundaries.

The response has been immediate. Fans flooded the comments, with one calling her “an icon” and another declaring she looks “INSANEEE,” emphasizing the striking shift from her trademark youthful aesthetic. Beyond the visual change, Siwa revealed in the caption that seeing the overwhelmingly positive reception to her live performances inspired her to record a studio version of the cover, contemplating whether to drop it on streaming platforms like Spotify later this week.

This bold style shift represents a maturing phase for Siwa. The 22‑year‑old former Nickelodeon star and dance influencer has made a name for herself with energetic performances, rainbow-colored bows, and gravity-defying ponytails. Now, she’s signaling a new chapter melding her playful pop roots with a refined musical and visual presentation that channels sultry old-school charisma.

In the same video, Siwa gives fans insight into her personal life, teasing a blossoming romance with boyfriend Chris Hughes, whom she met on Celebrity Big Brother UK. She playfully suggests changing the song’s title to “Chris Hughes’ Eyes,” sparking more excitement about her personal journey. In a June podcast, she described their connection as “serendipity” and praised how natural and complementary their relationship feels, reflecting newfound maturity and emotional growth.

The aesthetic overhaul marks more than a superficial change; it reflects a creative reinvention. Siwa's Jekyll-to-Hyde visual transition aligns with a growing number of artists who are testing new genres and personas to stay relevant in a fast-evolving entertainment landscape. Having already embraced a rainbow mohawk for the GLAAD Media Awards in March, this rounded, elegant bob brings another facet to her identity one steeped in cinematic nostalgia yet firmly grounded in modern self-expression.

The move has sparked speculation: Is Siwa preparing a full-scale musical redirection? Fans are already clamoring for the studio release of her cover, and if it drops, it could position her as a multi-dimensional entertainer someone who can pivot from pop-dance star to soulful crooner. Whether this shift marks a permanent stylistic turn or a one-off homage remains to be seen.

Regardless, with her classic new look and growing artistic confidence, JoJo Siwa is demonstrating an impressive transformation at this stage of her career. She’s proving that she’s not afraid of change, and that her creative journey is still evolving rooted in bold self-discovery and boundless ambition.