her license may seem a bit odd, but don't forget the 16-year-old rising pop star has been busy finding herself - her voice, talent and career direction - since she was thrust into the entertainment world as a 13-year-old breakout star.
JoJo, who also goes by her birth name, Joanna Levesque, has spent the last three years - since her debut single "Leave (Get out)" became a 2004 chart-topper - making her mark in music and movies, and getting to know what it takes to maintain success.
She knows her strengths, who her fans are, what they want, and how to give it to them.
She's also thankful for the success she's had so far, so she doesn't shy away from embracing her status as a teen queen."You know what? I'm a teenager. It's the truth," Levesque said of the media's tendency to play up her age. "I'm always fine with that. I think people like to mention my age because they can't believe it. But that would be like someone in their 20s getting upset because someone said they're in their 20s."
Following the success of her debut album, the multi-platinum "JoJo," the Foxboro-bred Levesque last year released "The High Road," which includes the popular singles "Too Little Too Late" and "How to Touch a Girl."
She's spending the summer touring in support of that album (she performs Sunday night at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis), getting in "a lot" of writing, contemplating work on her third album and, when she can, having a bit of fun.
"(The tour) is going really good," Levesque said. "We just did Texas and Orlando, and we've just been here getting together. We've extended the set from 30 minutes to about an hour, and I feel really confident with my band."
Though she considers this summer's performance schedule a spot date tour - she "100 percent" plans to do a full international tour for her next album - Levesque said getting on stage gets better every time.
"I try to pretend that I'm someone else on stage, because I used to get really shy," she said. "When I first started I was 13, and extremely self-conscious. I've learned to totally enjoy and live in the moment."
But she also has to look to the future.
While she isn't recording yet, she has begun work on her third album, getting a publishing deal for her lyrics and really getting into the songwriting process. Levesque said she'll release the album after she turns 18 in December 2008.
"I've been really cultivating my writing ... which is really great with me," she said.
Though she can't discuss them, Levesque said she has some possible acting gigs in the works that would build on her performances in two 2006 movies, "Aquamarine" and "RV." Levesque added, however, that music will remain her priority.
"I've been acting since I was 6, but music is something that is every day for me," Levesque said. "I have to sing. To not have that be a part of my life is not an option for me. But there are many things I'd like to be involved with. Who knows what will come along? I'm totally open."
The summer has also brought some fun. A lot of theme-park dates have had their fringe benefits.
"When I was in Orlando, I did a theme park and they were about to close, but they let us ride first," Levesque said. "That was cool, because it's kind of hard to be completely normal and walk around when you've just done a show. But I definitely get to have fun. We have a good time."
She also was able to complete a driver's education class closeby in Walpole. She called being with 50 other kids her own age for the week a "really cool" experience, and is excited to pick up a BMW that is waiting for her at the dealership.
Hearing her talk about finally getting her license, it's easy to remember she is a teenager. "I'm very, very excited. I have my license now. Right now, I'm driving a beat-up Toyota Echo," she said.
Then you go back to the grown-up Levesque, who obviously has a self-awareness beyond her years.
"As I progress and continue to prove myself as an artist, writer and actor...that's my goal. I take my youth in stride," she said. "I'm not trying to grow up fast. I won't be young someday, so I might as well enjoy it."
Source:thesunchronicle.com
