Honestly, if you told me five years ago that the girl with the neon side-ponytails and massive bows would eventually be rocking a rainbow mohawk at a major awards show, I probably would’ve laughed. It felt impossible. But here we are in 2026, and the JoJo Siwa mohawk has become one of those pop culture snapshots that basically defines her transition from Nickelodeon darling to... well, whatever this new era is.
It wasn't just a haircut. It was a statement.
For years, JoJo was a brand. She was less of a person and more of a walking, talking glitter bomb. But behind the scenes, that tight ponytail was doing some real damage. She’s been open about the "stress" it put on her scalp—literally causing traction alopecia. So, when she finally chopped it off, it wasn't just about style; it was about survival. But the mohawk? That was something else entirely. It was the final nail in the coffin of the "JoJo with the Bow Bow" persona.
The Moment the JoJo Siwa Mohawk Changed Everything
The real "wow" moment happened at the 2025 GLAAD Media Awards. People were already talking about her because of the wild, bedazzled headpieces she’d been wearing, but then she walked out with the sides of her head actually shaved. No extensions, no wigs. Just raw, dyed hair.
The JoJo Siwa mohawk she debuted wasn’t some subtle undercut. One side was a full-blown rainbow—the classic Pride flag—painted in sharp stripes. The other side? It featured the light blue, pink, and white of the transgender flag. And because it's JoJo, she didn't stop at hair dye. She actually had the white segment encrusted with jewels.
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- The Look: Bleached "dirty blonde" on top, styled straight up.
- The Sides: Shaved close, featuring distinct flag patterns.
- The Bling: Hand-placed rhinestones along the trans flag stripe.
It’s easy to look at this and call it "cringe" or "too much," but the intent was clear. She was wearing a jacket that said "Protect Trans Kids" and "Trans Rights are Human Rights." For a girl who spent her childhood being a safe, corporate-friendly idol for toddlers, this was a massive pivot. She wasn't just coming out; she was shouting.
Why This Haircut Actually Mattered for Her Career
The rebrand started with "Karma" back in 2024. You remember the KISS-inspired face paint and the weird sea creature choreography, right? It was polarizing. Some people loved the "bad girl" energy; others thought it felt forced. But the JoJo Siwa mohawk felt different because it was more permanent. You can’t just wipe off a shaved head at the end of a music video shoot.
A lot of people think she did it just for shock value. Kinda like Miley Cyrus in 2013 or Britney in 2007. But if you look at the timeline, it was a slow burn.
- April 2022: She cuts off the signature ponytail. The world gasps.
- September 2022: She goes for a short "pixie" look with the help of Avery Cyrus.
- August 2022: The "Mullet Daddy" era. (Yes, that really happened).
- Early 2025: The full mohawk debut.
She’s basically been shedding layers of her old self for three years. The mohawk was just the final form. It was her way of saying she’s in the "driver's seat" now. She even told reporters at the iHeartRadio Music Awards that after nine years, she's finally the one making the calls.
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How to Get the Look (If You're Brave Enough)
Look, if you're actually thinking about DIY-ing a JoJo Siwa mohawk, you need to know what you’re getting into. This isn't just a "buzz and go" situation. JoJo's hair is bleached to a level that requires serious maintenance.
The Bleach Factor
To get those neon colors to show up like hers did at the GLAAD awards, your hair has to be almost white. If you have dark hair, that’s at least two rounds of lightener. JoJo's mom, Jessalynn, has been bleaching JoJo's hair since she was three years old (literally), so her hair is used to the chemicals, but yours might not be.
The Hold
You aren't getting that height with regular drugstore gel. Punks in the 80s used Knox gelatin or even Elmer's glue (don't do that, seriously). For a modern version, you're looking at heavy-duty products like Got2B Glued or "Gorilla Snot." You apply it to damp hair, hold it up, and hit it with a blow dryer on high heat.
The Color Pattern
Painting flags on the side of your head is an art form. You need a steady hand and "barrier cream" to keep the colors from bleeding into each other. JoJo's look featured distinct stripes that didn't smudge—that's the work of a professional stylist or a very talented friend.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Transition
The biggest misconception is that the JoJo Siwa mohawk was a mental breakdown. It wasn't. It was a business move.
In the celebrity world, if you don't evolve, you die. JoJo's audience was aging out. The kids who bought her bows in 2017 are now in college. They don't want a "glitter girl"; they want an edgy pop star. By leaning into the mohawk and the "Gay Pop" label, she carved out a niche that didn't exist for her before.
Is it messy? Sometimes. Was the "Karma" rollout a bit chaotic? Definitely. But she’s still here. She’s still headline news. And she’s doing it with a shaved head and a smile that says she doesn't care what the "haters" think.
The Future of the "New JoJo"
As we move through 2026, the mohawk has already started to evolve again. We've seen her add extensions back in for specific performances, only to rip them out and show the buzzed sides again. It’s become her new "bow"—a recognizable trademark that separates her from every other blonde pop singer in the industry.
If you’re looking to follow her lead, start small. You don't have to shave your whole head tomorrow. Maybe try a faded undercut or some temporary hair chalk. The real lesson from the JoJo Siwa mohawk isn't about the hair—it's about the confidence to change your "brand" when it no longer fits who you are.
If you want to try a similar edgy transition without the permanent commitment, start by experimenting with high-hold pomades and "taped-back" styles that mimic a shaved look. This lets you test the "mohawk" vibe before you commit to the clippers. Once you're ready, find a stylist who specializes in "creative color" to ensure those rainbow stripes don't turn into a muddy mess.