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JoJo Siwa Seemingly Shaded by Original “Bette Davis Eyes” Singer Kim Carnes After Song Cover
Kim Carnes isn’t impressed with JoJo Siwa‘s latest musical endeavor.
The original “Bette Davis Eyes” singer shared her honest thoughts on the Dance Moms alum’s cover of her 1981 hit—and it’s safe to say she wasn’t totally wowed by the rendition.
“When I first saw my original performance placed side-by-side—and then layered on top of—a new version of ‘Bette Davis Eyes,’ I can only speak to how it initially struck me,” Kim told TMZ in a July 14 statement. “The phrasing, the tone, even the little inflections—it all felt a bit too close.”
But that doesn’t mean the 79-year-old wants to help spread any negativity about JoJo. After all, Kim said she is in strong support of “female artists lifting each other up.”
“This business can be brutal, and I strongly reject the kind of hate and personal attacks I’ve seen online—whether directed at me, JoJo Siwa, or anyone else,” she continued. “That kind of behavior doesn’t belong in music, or anywhere.”
However, Kim is also of the mind that receiving constructive criticism is an important part of creating art, which is why she chose to share her honest reaction.
“I believe artists have the right to speak openly about how something makes them feel—especially when it’s as personal as your voice,” she explained. “These days, our voice is one of the few things we truly own. So when it feels like your voice is being borrowed, it strikes a deeply personal chord.”
Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriter’s Hall of Fame / Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Indeed, fans already suspected that Kim may not be in complete awe of JoJo’s “Bette Davis Eyes,” which she first performed in concert earlier this year, swapping in her boyfriend’s name by changing the lyrics to “Chris Hughes’ eyes.”
After JoJo teased a studio version of her cover on TikTok July 7, Kim shared a cryptic message of her own that many theorized was aimed at the 22-year-old.
“There is a difference between singing a song…. And embodying it….” Kim wrote in a since-deleted TikTok July 9, alongside a clip of her “Bette Davis Eyes” music video. “I’ve always believed authenticity is what makes music timeless.”
And while JoJo hasn’t publicly addressed any of Kim’s comments on her song, she previously provided insight into why she decided to record her own rendition of “Bette Davis Eyes.”
“After performing this song live and then seeing the beautiful response to it,” JoJo wrote on TikTok July 7. “I decided to go record a studio vocal.”
For more on JoJo Siwa through the years, keep reading.
September 2013
JoJo Siwa made her reality TV debut at age 9 while competing on the second season of Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition, judged by Abby Lee Miller.
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
May 2015
JoJo celebrated the launch of Abby Lee Dance Company LA’s VIP Grand Opening.
David Livingston/Getty Images
May 2015
She rocked a glam jumpsuit at the 3rd Annual Reality TV Awards.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
March 2017
JoJo accepted the award for Favorite Viral Music Artist at Nickelodeon’s 2017 Kids’ Choice Awards.
Rachel Murray/Getty Images
March 2018
She proved the sun never sets on a badass with her shades at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
July 2018
Batter up: JoJo donned a classic baseball outfit at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Sports.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
August 2018
She showed off her signature style at the 2018 Teen Choice Awards.
March 2019
Even Kim Kardashian and North West keep up with the teen idol.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
April 2019
JoJo’s star-studded Sweet 16 included a special visit from the Kardashian-Jenner family, with North and Penelope Disick fan-girling over the birthday girl.
Ralph Arvesen/Shutterstock
September 2019
JoJo belted her heart out while on tour.
November 2019
JoJo spent her Thanksgiving giving back.
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
February 2020
The Dance Moms alum was all smiles at the Lakers game.
March 2020
It was a party in the U.S.A when JoJo and Miley Cyrus hung out.
Scott Kirkland/Shutterstock; Michael Becker/FOX
March 2020
Who’s under that T-Rex? JoJo showed off her singing chops on The Masked Singer.
January 2021
JoJo came out on Instagram in 2020, wearing a shirt reading, “Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever.”
June 2021
Later that year, she and then-girlfriend Kylie Prew celebrated Pride together.
Leon Bennett/Getty Images
September 2021
JoJo performed onstage during a screening for her Paramount+ original movie The J Team.
Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images
October 2021
Making history as the first same-sex Dancing With the Stars pair, JoJo competed with partner Jenna Johnson on season 30 of the reality competition series.
Instagram / JoJo Siwa
April 2022
She said bye, bye, bye bye to her signature ponytail.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Kershaw’s Challenge
July 2023
JoJo got inked during an outing with outing with Raven-Symoné and wife Miranda Pearman-Maday. For her first tattoo, she got the number 1031 behind her right ear in reference to her 2019 to 2022 D.R.E.A.M. The Tour concert series.
Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for GLAAD
March 2024
The singer teased her next project might not be suitable for all ages.
“The following content is not made for children,” she shared in a series of cryptic Instagram posts, “and may be disturbing or offensive to some viewers.”
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
April 2024
JoJo debuted her more mature look at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards, rocking dark makeup and an edgy costume from her “Karma” music video.
Chelsea Guglielmino/WireImage
June 2024
After turning 21, JoJo took a swig from a tequila bottle while performing at a Pride Month concert. Why?
“I was like, ‘I want to f–king take a shot before this,'” she explained on her JoJo Siwa Now podcast. “And my grandma was like, ‘All right, JoJo. You should do it.’ I was like, ‘All right, let’s do it!’”
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
March 2025
The former child star literally turned heads—including her own—when she stepped out at the iHeartRadio Music Awards with a towering headpiece made by her mom.
“I had this vision, and I found this online,” she told E! News of the unconventional accessory. “I told everyone on my team what I wanted, every piece to the puzzle.”
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