JoJo Siwa’s “Bette Davis Eyes” Cover Sparks a Cultural Moment
JoJo Siwa has recently found herself at the center of a cultural phenomenon with her cover of Kim Carnes’ 1981 hit “Bette Davis Eyes.” The song, which peaked near the top of the U.K. pop charts, has sparked both fascination and confusion online. TikTok users have embraced the track by creating their own versions, often imitating Siwa’s signature 1950s-inspired blue top and mimicking her raspy voice.
Siwa shared her mixed feelings about the response during a Zoom interview with the Daily News. “Some of them, I die laughing,” she said. “Then there’s some that I’m like, ‘Where do people get the audacity? Why do people feel OK to sleep at night?’ There’s a fine line of comedy and fine line of trashing.”
The idea for the cover came from a producer on her music team, who believed her voice would be perfect for the song. Despite being born in 2003—over two decades after the original hit—Siwa was initially hesitant. She had previously faced criticism for her performances on Season 3 of “The Masked Singer” and was unsure if a cover would be the right move.
The decision to perform the song was made when she was planning her set at the Tecate Emblema music festival in Mexico City. With only 20 minutes left to fill, her mom suggested “Bette Davis Eyes.” Still unsure, Siwa admitted she started crying over the idea of singing it onstage.
Her mom encouraged her, saying, “You can. You’re saying you can’t, but you can.” This advice led to a memorable moment where Siwa changed the lyrics of the song to “Chris Hughes's eyes” during a live performance. Fans of Siwa know this is a reference to her boyfriend, former “Love Island” contestant Chris Hughes. The couple met on “Big Brother UK,” and Siwa’s relationship with Kath Ebbs, an Australian influencer, ended shortly after the show concluded.
After performing the song live, Siwa was surprised by the positive feedback. “The response to it was unreal,” she said. “People had so much good to say about it… people actually want this.”
She teased a recorded version on her TikTok twice before releasing the full cover on July 10. While the reaction was mostly positive, some negative comments also came in. Siwa says she expects such commentary, noting that it happened after she released “Karma,” which seemed like an edgy rebrand from her time as a child star.
When asked about her haters, Siwa said, “All good, troops, all good. Sometimes I hate me too, and it’s all good.” She added, “As long as you’re getting a smile or a laugh, and I’m not ruining your day… Goal achieved from me.”
One of the skeptics was Carnes herself, who posted a now-deleted TikTok implying Siwa’s version lacked “authenticity.” Carnes later clarified her statement, saying she “strongly rejects the kind of hate and personal attacks I’ve seen online” but also believes artists have the right to express their opinions.
Siwa, however, sees the situation differently. “As an artist, what you want to do is inspire people, and I think the most beautiful thing is to have another artist be inspired by you,” she said.
Defending her choice to keep the raspy tone, Siwa explained that her vocal chords are “very broken,” making it possible to replicate Carnes’ style. She also wanted to sing the song the way it inspired her, emphasizing the importance of the rasp.
During the recording session, she asked for no water, saying, “The raspier I get, the better it is.” Though her voice was “screwed after,” she felt it was worth it. She plans to incorporate the super raspy tone into future songs.
The look for the music video was another challenge. Siwa admits she “absolutely hates” changing up her look. When she put on the costume and wig, she laughed at herself in the mirror, calling it “hysterical.” It felt a bit like Halloween.
Beyond Siwa’s cover, “Bette Davis Eyes” is having a moment this summer. Ethel Cain also covered it, and it played a significant role in Episode 7 of “And Just Like That” Season 3. Siwa, however, missed the feature, as she spends most of her leisure time listening to the “Hamilton” soundtrack or watching sports with Hughes.
“I’ve really found that I’ve got a clear sense of vision again, in my personal life, but especially in my career,” she said.
The success of “Bette Davis Eyes” has inspired Siwa for her next chapter. She is currently working on a new single inspired by the song, set to release in August. “It’s interesting, because for the first time, I’ve actually enjoyed writing a song,” she said about the potential new single.
Post “Big Brother” and “Bette Davis Eyes,” Siwa says she “knows exactly” what she wants in her life. “I’ve really found that I’ve got a clear sense of vision again, in my personal life, but especially in my career.”