How JoJo Builds Confidence

As a child, Joanna “JoJo” Levesque remembers being a big ball of confidence in a little kid’s body. “My mom encouraged me to be as bold and weird and individual as I wanted to be,” she says. “I was grateful to grow up feeling that freedom.” Unfortunately, that self-assurance wavered when she released her eponymous debut album at the age of 13.

“I started to base the way I felt about myself on the opinions of others, and that really took a toll on my confidence,” she explains. “It can be confusing when your validation comes from outside sources.”

Not only has JoJo been in the public eye for the majority of her life, but she also grew up with social media. “I’m not exempt from how hyper-focused that can make us on instant validation and seeking approval in the form of likes,” she says. “People in entertainment might project a certain togetherness, but at the end of the day, it’s hard not to compare yourself to others.” 

On those days when she isn’t feeling super confident, JoJo puts her phone away, moves her body in a yoga class or cooks up a nourishing meal. She also feels better about herself when she’s prepared, whether it’s rehearsing for a performance or waxing before a vacation. That’s why—celebrity or not—a trip to European Wax Center can double as a confidence-booster.

“There’s nothing smoother than getting a fresh bikini wax,” JoJo says. “It makes me feel like I’m ready for whatever.” She especially loves working with detail-oriented estheticians like the certified Wax Specialists at European Wax Center, who are extensively trained to prep, pamper and protect your skin.

The Wax Specialists follow a 4 Steps to Smooth® process that’s designed to make your waxing experience as luxurious as possible. They begin by cleansing skin and applying a soothing pre-wax oil before using the signature Comfort Wax® for virtually pain-free hair removal. Then, they pamper your skin with Ingrown Hair Serum and hair minimizing body lotions.

“Waxing makes my life easier because it’s something I don’t have to do every day,”  JoJo explains. “I check it off my list, and then I get to reap the benefits of feeling completely smooth.”

Now, decades into a career that has taken her from the studio to the big screen to Broadway, JoJo’s confidence is built upon self-love and acceptance rather than the approval of others.

“Over the years, I’ve learned that everyone is worried about how they’re coming across, so even their perception of you is tied up in how they feel about themselves,” she says. It’s that realization that ultimately helped the multi-hyphenate entertainer look within for confidence. 

“I’m not a pizza, so I’m not going to satisfy everybody,” she says. “The only thing I have control over is whether or not I’m enjoying myself.”