On October 8, 2024, JoJo Siwa took the hot stage of the Industry Dance Awards and delivered a speech that turned many heads. Starlet young, bright like her star, and infectious with energy, made news as she joked by thanking Beyoncé for bringing humor into a serious moment.
JoJo, with her signature enthusiasm, shared, “I also have to say thank you, Beyoncé-just thought we would keep the dance community safe.” The singer said, quipping with a grin, “Beyoncé, you’ve got great music. We all love to dance to it. We all love you.” Her shout-out was met with laugher throughout the auditorium as it caught everyone by surprise.
Siwa wasn’t making a joke. She was just the physical manifestation of the social media trends that have been absolutely filled with people ‘sarcastically’ thanking Beyoncé for this and that. Essentially, the memes went wild online during the recent drama surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs and some very serious allegations. This mention of Beyoncé by JoJo was just a nod toward a cultural Zeitgeist that has been the source of many an online discussion.
The comment was a nod to the viral theory that artists thank Beyoncé to avoid award shows “in case Beyoncé scares or Diddy intimidates.” JoJo’s light jab added a little extra humor in, showing off her unique personality and humor.
The audience’s reaction from JoJo’s speech ranged from shock to amusement. Many viewers took to social media, such as TikTok, to share their shock and their many thoughts on the unexpected shoutout . While JoJo’s comment was found humorous by some, others did not find it quite so and rather thought it was awkward; that was just one of a number of divided opinions her speech generated.
Beyoncé has been a leading force in the dance world with her innovative choreography, themes of empowerment, and cultural representation . Many of her songs and musical performances create viral dance challenges that help fuel the creativity and self-expression of dancers around the world.
Even JoJo’s reference to Beyoncé got fans talking about dynamics between artists in the music world. Some remembered how Adele and Lizzo made sure to acknowledge Beyoncé at award shows. That has often been seen as either paying respects or not wanting to “ruffle feathers.” All the fuss over these acknowledgments indicates the levels at work in Hollywood, where power dynamics often shape how artists interact.
JoJo Siwa is no stranger to the spotlight. She first came into the public consciousness as a contestant on the reality TV show “Dance Moms,” in which her energetic performances and uniquely styled self, complete with big bows in her hair, made her a standout.
She has gone on to have a very successful career, releasing hit singles such as “Boomerang” and “Kid in a Candy Store”. She is very relevant on all social media platforms. Playful and bold, JoJo continues to capture audiences with her playful and bold personality. As recently seen at the Industry Dance Awards speech.
However, Beyoncé has yet to respond to JoJo Siwa’s humorous shoutout during the Industry Dance Awards . The occurrence found its place on most sheets, but with all due respect, wasn’t one that fans were hopefully going to get Beyoncé to say something about. At least, for sure, fans will see if Beyoncé addresses the comment over time.
Perhaps the most memorable moment came when JoJo Siwa gave kudos to Beyoncé at the Industry Dance Awards for her playful nature and influence of major figures within the dance community. Whether one would consider it humorous or awkward, her speech surely made people talk and put a fun twist on such a prestigious event.