What happens when you lose control over the very thing that defines you—your voice, your art, your career?
That’s exactly what JoJo faced after signing her first record deal at just 12 years old. A child prodigy turned global pop sensation, JoJo’s career skyrocketed before she found herself locked in a restrictive contract, unable to release new music and legally fighting for her own voice. But instead of letting the industry silence her, she fought back—re-recording her early albums, going independent, and even taking on Broadway.
In this episode, JoJo gets real about the highs and lows of her journey, from navigating the brutal music industry to discovering the power of financial freedom. She shares how reclaiming ownership of her art was one of the most empowering moves of her career, how Broadway changed the way she prepares for performances, and why money has been the key to making decisions from a place of power—not fear. If you’ve ever felt stuck, underestimated, or unsure of how to take control of your future, JoJo’s story is proof that resilience and self-worth can change everything.
Key takeaways
The Power of Resilience in the Entertainment Industry
JoJo’s story is one of perseverance. She was just a teenager when she became a household name, but behind the scenes, she was fighting battles most people never saw. Her early success came with contractual restrictions that left her unable to release music for years, yet she refused to let the industry define her fate. Instead of giving up, she took legal action to regain control and later made the bold decision to re-record her first two albums—long before Taylor Swift popularized the idea. JoJo’s journey is a testament to the fact that setbacks don’t have to define you; they can fuel your comeback.
Financial Freedom as a Tool for Independence
One of the most powerful messages JoJo shares is the way financial independence has allowed her to walk away from situations that didn’t serve her. Whether it was a bad record deal or an unhealthy relationship, having financial stability meant she could make choices based on what was best for her—not what she could afford to tolerate. “Financial freedom allowed me to walk away from situations that didn’t respect me. That’s the kind of power I want for every woman,” she says. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to use money as a tool to create choices and opportunities.
Reclaiming Her Voice: The Importance of Ownership
For years, JoJo’s music was inaccessible on streaming platforms due to record label issues, leaving fans wondering why she had “disappeared” from the industry. Instead of accepting defeat, she found a creative solution—re-recording her early work and releasing it on her own terms. This bold move not only brought her music back to her fans but also solidified her independence as an artist. JoJo’s experience sheds light on the importance of ownership, whether it’s in business, creative endeavors, or personal finances.
Transitioning to Broadway and the Lessons It Taught Her
Making the jump from the music industry to Broadway was a huge shift for JoJo, but one that profoundly impacted her as a performer. She describes her time playing Satine in Moulin Rouge! as one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of her career. Unlike her solo tours, Broadway required her to work as part of a team, maintain an intense vocal and physical regimen, and commit to a strict schedule. “Broadway changed my life. I’ve never had to prepare for something so intensely, and now I never want to go back to just winging it,” she says.
Breaking Generational Patterns and Healing from the Past
Growing up in a family affected by addiction, JoJo witnessed firsthand the struggles that come with financial instability and emotional hardship. In the episode, she opens up about her own battles with self-worth, mental health, and the coping mechanisms she developed to deal with pain. She shares how she’s actively working to break the cycles of scarcity and instability that shaped her early years, proving that financial freedom isn’t just about money—it’s about rewriting the narrative for future generations.
Knowing Your Worth and Setting Boundaries in Business and Life
As a woman in entertainment, JoJo has faced the same challenges many women in male-dominated industries encounter—being labeled “difficult” for advocating for herself. Over the years, she’s learned to embrace the power of setting boundaries, negotiating for what she deserves, and recognizing that standing up for herself doesn’t make her a problem—it makes her a leader. “Money isn’t good or bad—it’s a tool. And when you have it, you have choices. You don’t have to stay in places that don’t serve you,” she shares.
Notable quotes
“I didn’t legally own my voice, and they weren’t putting out new material on me. That’s when I realized, I had to find a way out—no one was going to save me.”
“Financial freedom allowed me to walk away from situations that didn’t respect me. That’s the kind of power I want for every woman.”
“I used to judge my parents for their struggles with addiction. Then one day, I realized I was numbing myself too—just in different ways.”
Episode-at-a-glance
≫ 01:02 JoJo’s early career and breakthrough
≫ 12:14 Reclaiming her music: JoJo’s version
≫ 15:24 The independent artist experience
≫ 19:25 Personal struggles and mental health
≫ 27:51 Theater as a healing space
≫ 33:24 Navigating the music industry independently
≫ 34:09 Touring challenges and financial decisions
≫ 39:20 Broadway vs. tour preparation
≫ 44:27 Financial realities of broadway
≫ 54:55 Empowerment through financial independence
JoJo’s Links:
Website: https://www.iamjojoofficial.com/
Over the Influence: A Memoir: https://www.iamjojoofficial.com/overtheinfluence
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Meet JoJo
Joanna “JoJo” Levesque is a chart-topping and award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and first-time author. At just 13 years old, JoJo burst onto the scene with her self-titled debut album, whose breakout smash “Leave (Get Out)” made her the youngest-ever solo artist to have a debut #1 single in the U.S. That album went on to sell over four million copies and became the singer’s first Platinum record, which she followed with a string of additional accomplishments, including another #1 single, “Too Little Too Late” and another Platinum album, The High Road. Since then, she’s released several critically acclaimed studio albums, EPs, and mixtapes, and started her own label, Clover Music. JoJo has also appeared in movies such as Aquamarine and RV (opposite Robin Williams), and in 2023, she starred as Satine in Broadway’s Tony Award-winning Moulin Rouge! The Musical. JoJo is currently writing her next chapter and lives in Los Angeles with her rescue dog, Agapé
Transcript:
Thank you for listening to Financial Feminist, a Her First $100K podcast. Financial Feminist is hosted by me, Tori Dunlap, produced by Kristen Fields and Tamisha Grant. Researched by Sarah Sciortino. Audio and video Engineering by Alyssa Midcalf. Marketing and Operations by Karina Patel and Amanda Leffew. Special thanks to our team at Her First 100K, Kailyn Sprinkle, Masha Bakhmetyeva, Taylor Chou, Sasha Bonar, Rae Wong, Elizabeth McCumber, Claire Kurronen, Daryl Ann Ingram and Meghan Walker. Promotional graphics by Mary Stratton. Photography by Sarah Wolfe. And theme music by Jonah Cohen Sound.
A huge thanks to the entire Her First $100K community for supporting the show. For more information about Financial Feminist, Her First $100K, our guests and episode show notes, visit financialfeministpodcast.com. If you’re confused about your personal finances and you’re wondering where to start, go to herfirsthundredk.com/quiz for a free personalized money plan.
Tori Dunlap
Tori Dunlap is an internationally-recognized money and career expert. After saving $100,000 at age 25, Tori quit her corporate job in marketing and founded Her First $100K to fight financial inequality by giving women actionable resources to better their money. She has helped over five million women negotiate salaries, pay off debt, build savings, and invest.
Tori’s work has been featured on Good Morning America, the New York Times, BBC, TIME, PEOPLE, CNN, New York Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, BuzzFeed, and more.
With a dedicated following of over 2.1 million on Instagram and 2.4 million on TikTok —and multiple instances of her story going viral—Tori’s unique take on financial advice has made her the go-to voice for ambitious millennial women. CNBC called Tori “the voice of financial confidence for women.”
An honors graduate of the University of Portland, Tori currently lives in Seattle, where she enjoys eating fried chicken, going to barre classes, and attempting to naturally work John Mulaney bits into conversation.
