News | Entertainment
20 Jan 2026 4:50
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    JoJo was grateful for the support of Taylor Swift during her career struggles

    The 'Leave (Get Out)' hitmaker - whose real name is Joanna Levesque - spent years unable to release music as Blackground Records had the rights to her recorded voice but didn't have a distribution deal in place, and while she found much needed support in other stars such as the 'Cruel Summer' hitmaker and mutual pal Selena Gomez, a 'Galentine's Day' celebration at the pop superstar's home ultimately left JoJo feeling it was "too late" for her.


    In an extract from her memoir 'Under the Influence' published by People magazine, JoJo wrote: "Taylor was so sweet and complimentary, and she seemed excited that Selena had brought me along with her. She mentioned deepcut songs of mine she loved and kept saying how f***** up the lawsuit was, the fact that I couldn't put out music.

    "I don't remember if she already knew what was going on from social media or if I'd told her about the situation, but she was - in no uncertain terms - letting me know she was on my side and believed in me.

    "I appreciated Taylor's kind words, but I thought I could see in the eyes of everyone else at the party that they felt bad for me.

    "Maybe they thought I was never going to get out of this limbo. Or that it was too late for me even if I did.

    "Maybe they could tell I didn't have the money or the parents who could help dig me out of any holes I might find myself in. Maybe they saw the imposter in my eyes. Then again, perhaps that was all my own projection."

    The 33-year-old singer delighted in being welcomed by Taylor and Selena, having spent the early days of her career "conditioned" not to be friends with potential chart rivals.

    She wrote: "This was such a big departure from the female popstar polarisation of the 1990s and early 2000s.

    "It was the 2010s now, and the 'girl boss'/'girl gang' vibe was having a real moment.

    "Earlier in my career, I'd been conditioned to keep girls like Selena and Taylor close but never let them really know what I was doing, going through or thinking. To be 'strategic.' But I wasn't.

    " sometimes wished I could be, but I simply liked who I liked and didn't like who I didn't like. While some of my peers could 'play the game' like their lives depended on it, I never could quite figure out how to posture and politic and not feel like a big huge phony in the process.

    "I genuinely enjoyed these girls, and although two of them were among the most famous women in the world, we had the shared experience of starting out very young, and I was happy to be let into the fold, part of a group.

    "We stayed up late, wore sweats and no make-up, laughed until we cried, and ate copious amounts of French fries. It was awesome."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     19 Jan: Roger Allers, co-director of The Lion King, dies aged 76
     18 Jan: Teddi Mellencamp is "really sick" - months after she revealed her cancer had become "undetectable"
     18 Jan: Ashton Kutcher is "so proud" of his ex-wife Demi Moore in The Substance
     18 Jan: Lo Bosworth has given birth two weeks early
     18 Jan: Chase Infiniti botched Leonardo DiCaprio's beard when she cut it whilst they bonded before shooting One Battle After Another
     18 Jan: A shark has been named after Kelly Clarkson
     18 Jan: Jennifer Lawrence's marriage is kept "alive" with a compromise to her struggle with timekeeping
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Don't be surprised if the coaching nous of Scott Robertson is lured to the UK More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Consumers could soon spot cocoa-free chocolate on shelves - as producers scramble to find cheaper alternatives More...



     Today's News

    Politics:
    Donald Trump tells Norway's PM he no longer feels obligation to think only of peace 4:37

    Law and Order:
    A search for answers - after a body was found on the rocks at a beach on Auckland's North Shore 4:37

    International:
    Tensions over Greenland escalate as US threatens tariffs after European troop deployment 21:27

    Business:
    Consumers could soon spot cocoa-free chocolate on shelves - as producers scramble to find cheaper alternatives 21:17

    International:
    At least 39 dead after two high-speed trains derailed in Spain 20:17

    International:
    What has caused a 'smack' of jellyfish to wash up on Melbourne's eastern beaches? 19:37

    Business:
    A word of caution as calls grow to fund weight-management drugs 18:57

    Motoring:
    Tired legs have caught up with New Zealand cyclist Ally Wollaston in the Tour Down Under 18:37

    Business:
    Chocolate products could be in for a shake up - as manufacturers race to develop cocoa alternatives 18:07

    Lower South Island:
    Tom Sexton has prevailed in a bunch sprint to win the second stage of cycling's Tour of Southland 17:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd