As a gamer, I’ve got to say, it’s cool to see JoJo Siwa taking on hits from the past, but her latest cover of “Bette Davis Eyes,” originally sung by Kim Carnes, has stirred up some controversy. Apparently, Kim herself weighed in on Instagram, suggesting that something about JoJo’s version just didn’t capture the raw authenticity that made the original a timeless classic.
As she put it in the Instagram caption:
“There’s a difference between singing a song and embodying it.”
Later, Carnes explained during an exclusive interview with TMZ that her intention was not to belittle another woman, but rather, she firmly upheld her emotional response.
Here’s what she said about the cover:
“The phrasing, the tone, even the little inflections – it all felt a bit too close,” she said. “These days, our voice is one of the few things we truly own. So when it feels like your voice is being borrowed, it strikes a deeply personal chord.”
A Viral Performance And Backlash
At the tender age of 22, I, Siwa, made my mark by performing “Bette Davis Eyes” at the Tecate Emblema Festival in Mexico this past May. Fast-forward to my UK tour, where this captivating rendition became a staple. On July 7th, I shared a snippet from my London show on Instagram, subtly suggesting that a studio version might be coming our way shortly.
“After performing this song live and then seeing the beautiful response to it, I decided to go record a studio vocal…. I’m undecided if I should release it on Spotify or not…. Would you want me to?!! 🤍”
View this post on Instagram
The crowd’s energy seemed to initially encourage her but the internet had other plans.
Fan reactions to the song ranged from unimpressed to outright brutal.
“It’s overly autotuned, very raspy, and not well sung,”
one critic commented on Instagram.
Critics found fault with Carnes’ 1981 interpretation, labeling it as “rough” and “difficult to endure audibly.
Additionally troubling, numerous individuals perceived Siwa’s rendition not as a sign of artistic development but as proof of a lingering identity dilemma instead.
One fan wrote on Reddit:
“The switch from sparkly bows to karma/guilty pleasure to this? It all adds up to a big fat nothing. She’s obviously just trying things out to see what finally sticks.”
A Legacy On The Line
The song “Bette Davis Eyes” was first penned by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon back in 1974. However, it gained significant recognition when Kirsty MacColl introduced her electronic version in the year 1981.
Since then, the track has found its way into various movies and television programs, ranging from “American Horror Story” to “Riverdale,” thereby solidifying its significance within popular culture.
Previously, artists such as Gwyneth Paltrow (in 2001) and Taylor Swift (in 2011) have sung this song, but none have sparked as much controversy as Siwa did.
In response to media reports, Kim Carnes clarified through TMZ that her dispute was centered around creative rights, and not about the up-and-coming artist herself.
“I strongly reject the kind of hate and personal attacks I’ve seen online – whether directed at me, JoJo Siwa, or anyone else. That kind of behavior doesn’t belong in music, or anywhere.”
“I’ve always tried to protect and celebrate the legacy of this recording – and that’s really all I want to say.”
The Controversial Era?
This isn’t the first time Siwa has found herself in hot water.
Originally admired by younger fans as a role model, her shift towards adult pop music has sparked mixed reactions. Critics have pointed out concerns regarding the style and substance of her latest releases, which some view as attempts to draw excessive attention.
More recently, Siwa stirred some surprise as she started dating Chris Hughes from Love Island, following her 2021 announcement that she identifies as a lesbian.
In her renditions of “Bette Davis Eyes,” she occasionally replaced the well-known, title-inspiring line with “Chris Hughes’ Eyes.” This alteration was perceived by some as excessively self-referential and lacking in sensitivity.
In spite of the constant torrent of hatred she encounters each day, numerous individuals have empathized with the singer’s plight, advocating that she be spared from bullying. This sentiment arises from the belief that a young person who has endured a difficult upbringing under public scrutiny is struggling to establish her unique identity.
In reference to the “Bette Davis Eyes”-debate, a comment on Reddit reads:
“I honestly feel bad that this poor child’s desperate attempt to find herself and discover who she is has been televised since she was 6.”
People are discussing JoJo Siwa’s rendition of “Bette Davis Eyes” regardless of whether they adore it, dislike it, or find it puzzling.
So now all there is to ask is: Whose version speaks to you more?
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2025-07-15 21:10