Former 'Dance Moms' star JoJo Siwa brings positivity to Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s Abby Lee Miller recently returned to Lifetime with “Dance Moms,” her hit reality series that chronicles the drama of running a dance school and the dreams of young girls hoping to become stars.

For many members of her original cast of dance students, their exposure on Miller’s successful TV show was a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

One of the biggest success stories so far is JoJo Siwa, now 16, whose career skyrocketed after two seasons with Miss Abby, thanks to an exclusive licensing deal with Nickelodeon, a strong presence on social media and now, her first concert tour.

Her “Nickelodeon’s JoJo Siwa’s D.R.E.A.M The Tour” kicked off on May 17 and is on schedule to play more than 70 cities. After the U.S. tour ends Oct. 2, the teen heads to Great Britain for additional concerts in October and November in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Pittsburgh concert stop

The tour includes a concert stop in Pittsburgh, where JoJo and special guests The Belles, a mother-daughter country duo, will perform. The bow-dazzled singer and dancer will take the stage at 7 p.m. July 30 at Petersen Events Center in Oakland.

JoJo is a brand all her own – with lines of clothes, her signature big bows, rainbow sequin high top shoes, glitter backpacks, sheets and pillowcases and unicorn plush pillow buddies, all bearing her name and available at local Kohl’s, Target and Walmart stores.

She’s Nick Cannon’s sidekick on Nickelodeon’s “Lip Sync Battle Shorties,” described as “the ultimate faux-singing concert and the only lip syncing show for kids, complete with celebrity special guests, mind blowing performances and so much more.”

Her animated series, “The JoJo and BowBow Show Show” on Nickelodeon’s You Tube channel, features JoJo and her Yorkshire terrier BowBow – who also wears a colorful, oversized bow.

Her music includes singles “Boomerang,” which has been viewed more than 662 million times and is certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America; “Kid in a Candy Store,” “Hold The Drama” and “High Top Shoes.” Her newest releases include “It’s Time to Celebrate”, “#1U” and “Worldwide Party”.

‘Focus on the nice people’

JoJo’s bubbly, outgoing personality helps her share her messages to her fans against negativity and bullying through her SIWANATOR club. Originally from Omaha, Neb., the energetic teen, her parents and her older brother, Jayden, now live in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

In one of her YouTube videos, she talked about bullies and haters and urged fans to “focus on the nice people because that person is your real friend. We can’t end bullying, as much as I would love to. If you go to school and you’re having a bad day and people are being mean to you, go home and hang out with your family and your friends. Find that thing in your life that makes you happy and love that. And just follow your dreams.”

In June, JoJo was named one of Time’s most influential people on the Internet for their “global impact on social media,” sharing the honor with entertainers Ariana Grande, Cardi B and Jada Pinkett Smith, among others.

The Time staff noted that JoJo has embarked on her tour to perform songs like “Boomerang,” an anthem against cyberbullying.