JoJo Siwa is blasting online posts that claim she let one of her dancers wear blackface in her most recent music video.
On June 19, the Nickelodeon alum released the video for "Nonstop," which is set to a circus theme. One of the dancers in the video has brown makeup on her face and appears to be portraying a monkey.
The video has put JoJo on the defensive all week.
"I need to set the record straight about a few things because some have been irresponsible in recent stories and posts about me, and everyone seems to rush to conclusions without having all of the facts," the former "Dance Moms" star wrote on Instagram. "My instagram post yesterday had absolutely nothing to do with the criticism I received on my music video 'NONSTOP.' I blocked certain people online and stopped following others because I was tired of seeing the personal hate on me. Some people will do anything for attention and that includes being mean. People were sending me really horrible and disgusting messages about my appearance, my sexuality, my content, and overall just being hateful."
In speaking specifically about the blackface controversy, JoJo says context is important, but she also flatly denied that anyone was in blackface.
"I would like to address the music video that we shot for 'NONSTOP' in February. We're talking about kids dressing up as circus animals! No one in my video is wearing blackface. It's awful that anyone's mind would even go there," she said. "Kids dressing in animal costumes, having their faces painted to look like animals, acting the part. There were zebras, tigers, dogs, clowns, mermaids, everything."
While defending her video, JoJo also pledged her support for Black Lives Matter.
"I've addressed Black Lives Matter issues previously on my social media, I will say it again for the ones in the back, Black Lives Matter, today, tomorrow, yesterday and forever. I'm on the right side of history here. Stop trying to make this about something it isn't," she said. "I love my real fans and am so grateful for their love and support. Instead of trying to drag everyone down, let's be positive and come back like a boomerang."
In a previous Instagram post, the singer said she was forced to block several trolls.
"People went to my DOGS instagram. my DOG. to hate on me," she wrote, calling it "iconic."