By Larry London
Washington, D.C.
31 July 2006
 
Watch JoJo report

JoJo became the youngest American musician to have a song at number one on the music charts in 2004. Since then, she has starred in two films and will release her second album. VOA's Larry London had a chance to talk with JoJo about growing up in the music business.

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JoJo
  
JoJo was only 13 years old when her song "Leave" went to number one on the music charts. She keeps her family close by to help her deal with the pressure.

"My mom travels with me everywhere, and I'm very close to my family, and I still live in Massachusetts," she says. "So I think that that keeps me grounded and keeps it all in perspective for me. And I have people that are constantly telling me, 'You know, don't take this for granted because it could be gone so quick.' "

Although JoJo is most known for her singing, she also loves to act. She first acted at the age of six on a show hosted by American comedian Bill Cosby.

"When I was a lot younger, he gave me my first television experience. So, that kinda set the fire in me, and I knew that I wanted to do this for real."

JoJo says her next album really shows how she's grown up. "It's something I'm really proud of. It's been three years since I was last in the studio. And, from 12 to 15, turning 16, that's a big difference in a girl's life, so you're definitely going to hear that. And I just feel more confident in my vocals, and more confident in the things that I'm singing about, because I feel like I have, you know, something to really relate it to."

JoJo hopes people will see a different side of her on the new record.

"I don't feel like on my first record people really got to hear, you know, all that I could do. And of course, on this record, I won't be able to show all that I can do, because I'm not completely grown yet. So I think every album you'll get something different, because I'm still growing up."

JoJo says she wants to tour outside the United States with her new album. "I love traveling. I love seeing my fans internationally.  I love just really reaching out to people, so I would love to do a tour."

JoJo hopes to continue balancing her singing and acting careers.

"Hopefully I'll be, you know, working on a third record, or have done a third record, have it out, touring internationally, be doing more films. Just keeping it moving. I don't want to put a limit to what I can do."