Update 7/15/25: After deleting her original comment, Kim Carnes is now back with a new take on JoJo’s cover. In a statement to TMZ, the singer explained, “When I first saw my original performance placed side-by-side—and then layered on top of—a new version of ‘Bette Davis Eyes,’ I can only speak to how it initially struck me. The phrasing, the tone, even the little inflections—it all felt a bit too close.”
That said! Kim is definitely not looking to spread any negativity. Though it struck “a deeply personal chord” to hear her voice seemingly “being borrowed” by JoJo, she doesn’t think JoJo is deserving of the online vitriol she’s received.
“I'm all for female artists lifting each other up,” she continued. “This business can be brutal, and 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.”
Original story 7/11/25: JoJo Siwa is back with new music...sort of. The multihyphenate has released an official cover of Kim Carnes’ classic ’80s hit, “Bette Davis Eyes,” after singing a reimagined version dedicated to her boyfriend, Chris Hughes, during her concert in London on May 26.
Kim, who originally dropped the dreamy track in 1981, seemingly reacted to JoJo’s cover in a since-deleted video she posted to TikTok on July 9. According to E! News, Kim shared a clip from the song’s music video with a message about the factors that go into a “quality singing performance.”
“There is a difference between singing a song.... And embodying it....” Kim reportedly wrote. “I’ve always believed authenticity is what makes music timeless. I’m forever grateful to be the voice behind this one..... ‘Bette Davis Eyes.’”
JoJo began teasing a studio version of the cover with a slew of vintage-inspired social media posts in July.
“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,” the Dance Moms alum captioned her July 7 Instagram post. In the black-and-white clip, JoJo rocks an Old Hollywood bob hairstyle while singing the tune in her signature raspy voice.
The “Bulletproof” singer was initially met with criticism on her vocal abilities (more particularly, her rasp), but Chris came to her defense in her TikTok comments section with a sweet message, writing, “Ugh so good, you’re perfect,” amid comments that likened the clip to an “anti-smoking commercial.”
Listen to JoJo’s full cover of “Bette Davis Eyes,” below.
