JoJo Siwa Addresses Claim She “Stole” Her New Song “Karma” From Miley Cyrus and Brit Smith

JoJo Siwa is setting the record straight. 

The Dance Moms alum shut down rumors that she stole her latest single "Karma" from Miley Cyrus and Brit Smith, who were both rumored to have recorded demo versions of the track in the early 2010s. 

"I did not steal anything," JoJo told TMZ April 12. "There's no such thing as stealing."

The 20-year-old went on to acknowledge that the confusion may have arisen over the track's producers Rock Mafia, who wrote the song years ago and also penned a handful of hits for Disney alums such as Miley's "Can't Be Tamed" and Aly & AJ's "Potential Breakup Song."  

"What happens is people write songs, and then, they don't do anything with them," JoJo continued. "Then, a few years later, it makes sense for another artist."

Noting that it was an "old song," the So You Think You Can Dance judge added, "I was pitched it. I loved it, was obsessed with it, so I grasped onto it. That's a very normal thing."

As for the track's age? JoJo, who released "Karma" on April 5 as part of her new, more mature era, wasn't worried about the track feeling outdated. 

"I knew that it was a special song," she said. "I knew that it fit. I knew that it was exactly the vision that I wanted to create for the world."

Describing "Karma" as "such a head-turner," JoJo added, "'Karma' makes you listen, 'Karma' makes you ask, 'Karma' makes you confused. So, whether people like it or not, marketing plan worked." 

As for Brit, she revealed that "Karma" was supposed to be her first single in 2012. "Things changed and I went with ‘Provocative' instead," she explained to Page Six in an interview published April 12, "and shouldn't have done that really—we should've gone with ‘Karma.' That was my first choice."

And noting that the song "hasn't seen the light of day until now," she added, "I'm just happy that people are hearing it and liking it."

To look back on JoJo's career leading up to her new single, read on.

JoJo Siwa made her reality TV debut at age nine while competing on the second season of Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition, judged by Abby Lee Miller.

JoJo celebrated the launch of Abby Lee Dance Company LA's VIP Grand Opening in May 2015. 

Dance Moms star JoJo wore a glam jumpsuit at the 3rd Annual Reality TV Awards in May 2015.

JoJo accepted the award for Favorite Viral Music Artist at Nickelodeon's 2017 Kids' Choice Awards in March 2017. 

JoJo wore her shades at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards in March 2018. 

Batter up! JoJo donned a classic baseball outfit at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Sports in July 2018. 

JoJo showed off her signature style at the 2018 Teen Choice Awards. 

Kim Kardashian and North West hung out with JoJo in March 2019. 

JoJo's star-studded Sweet Sixteen bash included a special visit from the Kardashian-Jenner family, with North West and Penelope Disick fan-girling over the b-day girl.  

JoJo belted her heart out on tour in Sept. 2019. 

JoJo spent her Thanksgiving giving back in 2019. 

The Dance Moms alum was all smiles at the Lakers game in Feb. 2020. 

JoJo hung out with icon Miley Cyrus in March 2020. 

Who's under that T-Rex? JoJo showed off her singing chops on The Masked Singer in 2020. 

JoJo came out on Instagram in 2020, wearing a shirt reading, "Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever." 

Jojo and Kylie Prew celebrated Pride Month in June 2021. 

JoJo performed onstage during a screening for her Paramount+ original movie The J Team on Sept. 3 in Pasadena, California. 

JoJo competed with partner Jenna Johnson on season 30 of Dancing With the Stars, making history as the first same-sex pair. 

Bye bye signature ponytail!

JoJo got inked during an outing with outing with Raven-Symoné and her wife Miranda Pearman-Maday. She got the number 1031 tattooed behind her right ear in reference to her 2019-2022 D.R.E.A.M. The Tour concert series.

The singer teased that 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."

JoJo debuted her more mature look at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards, rocking dark makeup and an edgy costume from her "Karma" music video.