Over the Influence

Title: Over the Influence

Author: Joanna "JoJo" Levesque

Genre: nonfiction memoir

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Were you a JoJo fan?! I definitely was! I remember playing her debut album JoJo on repeat...no skips...and singing my heart out to every track. Reading Over the Influence by Joanna “JoJo” Levesque was such a nostalgic ride. It instantly took me back to the early 2000s, back to when young me was just vibing out to her music.

This memoir marks the 20-year milestone since her debut album, which is wild to even say think of. For anyone who’s ever asked, “What happened to JoJo?”, this book answers that question and so much more. It’s a deeply personal story of growth, perseverance, and healing. After reading it, I went down a YouTube rabbit hole watching all her recent interviews. She seems so down to earth and open and it made me appreciate the book even more.

JoJo’s story begins with a series of full-circle moments: attending AA meetings, folks battling addiction, leaning on the serenity prayer, and learning to preserve herself through it all. Her journey is filled with lessons about accountability and not giving up. I love that she did Broadway—one of my only regrets is not catching her live on stage!

And her mom—wow. The way her mother saw the light in her, even during her darkest chapters. Their relationship is a beautiful example of redemption and unconditional love.

What stood out most was how young JoJo always knew who she was before the world tried to tell her otherwise. Even when she was being picked on as a young girl, she stayed in her own world. Also rooted in her R&B soul sound, even while being pushed into the pop lane. That self-awareness, even when she felt disconnected from it, became her strength. It made me think: never shut down those little girl dreams. You never know who they’ll grow into.

The book also opened my eyes to the business side of the music industry, the loopholes, the roadblocks, and the fight to reclaim her work. I also loved reliving those moments where she popped up on features such as Drake’s “Marvin’s Room,” and PJ Morton’s “Say So”, some of me of my absolute favorites.

The title Over the Influence really made me pause. Beyond her sobriety, it feels like she’s talking about releasing the influence of others over her life finally reclaiming her voice, her story, her future.

No more counting myself out. Matter of fact, for the foreseeable future, count me the f*ck in.

- Maya & The Spine Down