JoJo makes her Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge – two decades after finding fame as a child star
She rose to fame in 2004 at the age of 13 with the smash hit Leave (Get Out’).
And Joanna “JoJo” Levesque proved she was still just as talented 19 years later when she made her Broadway debut in Moulin Rogue on Tuesday.
The singer wowed audiences at the Al Hirschfeld Theater in the lead role of Satine, after taking over from Broadway veteran Ashley Loren for a limited number of performances.
JoJo, 32, couldn’t have looked happier at the call for her performance, beaming widely as she received rapturous applause.
The Billboard Music Awards nominee looked sensational on stage as she modeled a fitted nude dress embellished with sequins.
Star: Joanna ‘JoJo’ Levesque proved she was just as talented 19 years after her child star success when she made her Broadway debut in Moulin Rogue on Tuesday
Iconic: She rose to fame in 2004 at the age of 13 with the smash hit Leave (Get Out’) and immediately became a child star (pictured in 2006’s Rv: Runaway Vacation)
The garment ended in a long skirt with a slit in the front, revealing a pair of heeled boots.
After the performance, JoJo was understandably in the mood to celebrate and was seen catching up with Nicole Scherzinger backstage at the theater.
An audience member took to Twitter after the performance and was quick to gush about the singer’s debut: “I’m so lucky to have witnessed jojo’s broadway debut at moulin rouge. she killed it!! [sic]’
JoJo delighted fans in February when she revealed she would be starring in director Baz Luhrmann’s stage adaptation of the iconic 2001 film of the same name starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor.
‘Truth. Beauty. Freedom. Love,” JoJo wrote on Instagram as a direct reference to the musical’s tagline. “So I can’t believe I can finally say this… I’m making my Broadway debut in MOULIN ROUGE!!!”
The hitmaker recalled her first time seeing the show – which garnered 10 Tony Awards in 2020, including Best Musical – and how she instantly fell in love with it.
“When I first saw this musical, I fell in love immediately. I watched from the edge of my seat, clutching every word of every song,” she gushed.
“This show is a feast for the senses and the opportunity to play Satine feels like the culmination of so many dreams.
“I can’t believe I get to join this phenomenal cast and company!!!! You blow me away!!!’ continued JoJo.
She continued with a special shoutout to Loren, who will take her final bow on April 9.
“special love and respect to @ashleyloren who is currently SLAYS as Satine: the most incredible badass singer-actress-performer, I’m lucky enough to call friend and experience her sisterhood and generosity of spirit.”
Stunning: The singer wowed audiences at the Al Hirschfeld Theater in the lead role of Satine, after taking over from Broadway veteran Ashley Loren for a limited number of performances (pictured with Derek Klena as Christian)
Loving life: JoJo, 32, couldn’t have looked happier at the call for her performance, beaming widely as she received rapturous applause
Gorgeous: The Billboard Music Awards nominee looked sensational on stage as she modeled a fitted nude dress adorned with sequin embellishments
Yes she can-can! The garment ended in a long skirt with a slit in the front, revealing a pair of heeled boots
I killed it! After the performance on Twitter, an audience member quickly went over the singer’s debut
Loren returned the love in a post shared on her own Instagram page, with a photo of the two ladies.
Loren — who’s been part of the show’s cast since its Broadway debut in 2019 — wrote, “Her heart, her mind, that voice!” I just can’t wait for the world to see this woman star on Broadway!’
JoJo also thanked the “amazing producers and directing staff for believing in me like you do” and how “performing on Broadway and living in NYC” is an absolute “dream come true” for her.
“I know this show means so much to so many and I promise to put everything I have into every night as Satine,” wrote JoJo, who capped the post with a reference to an iconic quote from the musical: “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return…’
JoJo’s run at Moulin Rouge is a 14-week limited engagement ending July 16.
JoJo became famous as a teenager with her hit song Leave (Get Out’).
The pop-rock song became a worldwide hit, reaching No. 2 in Australia and the UK and No. 1 on the US Pop Songs chart, making her the youngest artist in history to top a Billboard chart.
She returned to the spotlight in 2006 with Too Little Too Late, which reached No. 3 on the Hot 100.
Unfortunately, at the height of her success, JoJo was forced into a long hiatus due to contractual issues with her record label.
Two’s company: After the performance, JoJo was understandably in the mood to celebrate and you could see Nicole catching up with Scherzinger backstage at the theater
Leading actress: JoJo received a colorful bunch of flowers as a gift after her theater debut
During her career, JoJo has released five studio albums, most recently December Baby (2020), her first Christmas-themed record featuring half Christmas covers and half originals.
She also released an album of new originals, Good To Know in May 2020 with the single What U Need, while the deluxe edition offered a remix of Lonely Hearts featuring pop star Demi Lovato.
She has also appeared in a number of feature films over the years, including the family comedy RV (2006) starring the late Robin Williams.
According to Just Jared, she would be gearing up to make another studio album of original music in 2023.