Opening and Introduction

• Rachel Jackson from YouTube Artist Partnerships team hosting
• JoJo discussing memoir "Over the Influence"
• Interactive talk format with audience Q&A
• Book available at venue, signing at stage door after Moulin Rouge performances

Memoir Opening: Serenity Prayer Connection

• Book opens with Serenity Prayer - tattooed around JoJo's wrist in black and green
• Parents met in Alcoholics Anonymous, JoJo wouldn't exist without AA program
• Early AA meeting memories: Foxboro, Massachusetts basement meetings
  • Duncan Donuts munchkins, coffee, wild stories from rough characters
  • Mom prioritized sobriety, brought JoJo along without childcare
• AA influence on transparent writing style - learned "warts and all" sharing approach

Writing Process and Methodology

• Initially paralyzed by fear of getting other people's stories wrong
• Publishing deal deadline provided necessary structure and accountability
• Editor Carrie Napalitano at Hachette provided crucial guidance
• Uncle Scott Blackden (author of "Dear Life You Suck") served as writing coach
• Non-chronological writing approach - started with father's death chapter (most visceral)
• Created "100 stories of my life" exercise for organization
• Interviewed key people: mom, publicist Felicia Fant, manager Katie, radio rep Eli McCoy, Universal contacts
• Voice recordings during interviews with extensive note-taking

Early Career and Child Stardom

• Described as "impressive child" with natural performing ability
• Old soul, only child seeking adult validation through performance
• Loved theater, singing, dancing - came naturally, not forced into industry
• Bullied by peers for constant singing, doctor suggested ADD medication
• Mom recognized special talent, supported audition opportunities
• Won studio opportunity through Maury Povich show appearance

"Leave (Get Out)" Era and Breakthrough

• First major studio session recording breakthrough single
• 13 years old during music video shoot in actual high school (first time in high school)
• Stuffed bra, wore heels, felt pressure to appear older
• Video featured 18-year-old actors as "friends"
• Song different from rest of album (more hip-hop/R&B influenced)
• Identity confusion: saw self as soul singer, labeled as "new pop star"
• Never been kissed, no relationship experience but singing breakup song
• Opened for Usher Confessions Tour in Europe
• Private tutoring/distance learning while touring internationally

Label Struggles and Career Hiatus

• Label (Blackground) lost distribution, became non-functional
• Recorded hundreds of songs for third album, never released
• Contractual obligations prevented other opportunities - "didn't own my voice"
• Pressure to lose weight: "get skinny," 500 calories per day with dietician
• Timeline: last album at 15, now 18, now 22 with no new releases
• Sued to get off label after years of "hurry up and wait"
• Released free mixtapes inspired by hip-hop model
• Fans created "Free JoJo" movement
• Depression and anxiety during this period

Recovery and Reinvention

• Marvin's Room cover unexpectedly viral, showed more raw/authentic side
• Social media allowed direct fan connection
• Learned importance of ownership and intellectual property
• Advice to new artists: build leverage before major label deals
• "Labels are not your family" - business relationships, not personal
• Patterns only visible in retrospect through memoir writing process

Broadway Journey: Moulin Rouge

• Heartbreak led to theater interest after engagement ended
• Saw touring production at Pantages in LA, felt natural fit
• Auditioned feeling unusually confident: "I should eat in this role"
• Learned entire soundtrack despite only needing two songs
• Related to Satine character: pressure, protection of others, compartmentalization
• Broadway as 9-to-5 discipline, community experience
• Currently final week of Moulin Rouge run

Title Significance: "Over the Influence"

• Originally considered "Under the Influence" but too negative
• Multiple meanings: substances, societal systems, people's expectations
• Not "above it" but "over it" - no longer subscribing to conditioning
• Reconnecting with childhood excitement, curiosity, aliveness
• Last element decided in book process

Personal Growth and Philosophy

• Therapy investment with Dr. Janice, Dr. Coffman for perspective
• Writing provided self-compassion for younger self's choices
• Forgiveness process through understanding patterns
• No victims/villains worldview - "we all contain multitudes"
• Transparency as antiseptic to infected wounds
• Responsible intake of positive influences: Deepak Chopra meditations, healing frequencies
• Phone/social media breaks essential

Current Projects and Future

• New York Times bestseller status unexpected
• New single "Porcelain" and EP release
• Tour routing for next year
• Balancing multiple projects: Broadway, music, book promotion
• Pilates, meditation, dog care for personal wellness

Music Influences and Collaborations

• Current listening: Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish, Sunny Cologne, Victoria Monét, Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar
• Top 2000s R&B picks: "Just Friends" by Musiq Soulchild, "U Don't Have to Call" by Usher
• Open to collaboration across genres

Audience Q&A Insights

• Fame fleeting advice: focus on craft, community, integrity over validation
• Work ethic driven by gratitude for opportunities after low periods
• Vulnerability natural, not requiring courage - preemptive transparency
• Broadway community highly talented, humbling experience
• Foot Locker music video sightings as "made it" moment
• Seven audience member Broadway show attendances noted