Entertainment TV Reality TV JoJo Siwa Reveals the Piece of Advice Her Mom Gave Her When She Was the 'Most Hated' Dance Moms Cast Member "Sure, people are commenting we want JoJo to go home, but people are commenting, we want JoJo,” the star recalled of her time on the reality show By Bailey Richards Bailey Richards Bailey Richards is a writer-reporter at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2023 and interned with the brand in 2022. Her work has previously appeared in digital publications like Paper Magazine and TV Insider. People Editorial Guidelines Published on September 24, 2024 05:19PM EDT Comments JoJo Siwa is revealing the Dance Moms-era advice from her mom that she still carries with her. In her new LADYGUNN cover story, published Sept. 23, the reality star-turned-pop singer recalled being the “most hated” dancer on the hit Lifetime series — and revealed that her mom and Dance Moms costar, Jessalynn Siwa, helped turn the difficult time into a lesson about grappling with haters and critics. “I was the most hated on that show," Siwa, 21, recalled to the outlet. "But my mom was like, nobody can take away what you did." “Sure, people are commenting we want JoJo to go home, but people are commenting, we want JoJo,” she added, “You know what I mean?” The singer — who first appeared on Dance Moms spinoff Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition at just 9 years old — still carries this with her today, she told LADYGUNN. Jessalynn and JoJo Siwa on 'Dance Moms'. Lifetime/Youtube “I learned at a very young age that in the public eye, any attention is attention… whether it be good attention or just attention,” Siwa said. “I just signed with new management, and they’re great, amazing people. They were like, alright, we got to get people to rally around you and really start to like you,” she continued. “And I was like, oh no, that’s not the point.” JoJo Siwa and Jessalynn Siwa in 2021. Steve Granitz/FilmMagic Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Siwa also reflected on her time on Dance Moms earlier this year as she and some of her former castmates reunited for Dance Moms: The Reunion. At the New York City premiere of the highly anticipated reunion special, the “Karma” singer opened up to PEOPLE about her relationship with the show’s infamous dance instructor, Abby Lee Miller — and revealed that they’re still in contact. "Abby, honestly, my relationship is great," the star told PEOPLE. "I talk to her on a weekly basis. Great human in my life." JoJo Siwa on 'Dance Moms'. Lifetime The singer also opened up about her relationship with some of castmates who did not attend the premiere, including Nia Sioux and sisters Maddie and Mackenzie "Kenzie" Ziegler. JoJo Siwa Is 'Ready' for Criticism over Her 'Transition' to Adulthood: 'If You Follow Along, That's All You' (Exclusive) Siwa told PEOPLE she doesn't "really have" a relationship with the Ziegler sisters "anymore." "[it’s] not a bad thing, not a great thing, we just don't really communicate," she explained, adding that “if we saw each other we would be great friends, but we just don't see each other." As for Sioux? The “Boomerang” singer said they also have no “bad blood.” “Nia, I actually do see on occasion. We've always been very friendly with each other,” she told PEOPLE at the time. “We saw each other at the Super Bowl. Yeah, no bad blood anywhere, which I'm grateful for, because bad blood sucks." Close