JoJo Siwa Bows Out Of Will Smith Produced Movie, 'Bounce'

JoJo Siwa will no longer star in Will Smith's movie!

The 18-year-old entertainer's highly-anticipated Hollywood debut has officially been canceled as she parted ways with the project.

While attending the GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday, April 2, the "Dance Moms" alum revealed why she left the "Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air" star's movie.

According to Variety, the "Boomerang" singer was set to star in the film "Bounce," a collaboration between Smith's production company Overbrook Entertainment and Paramount Pictures.

The project, which was supposed to be the movie adaptation of the young adult book of the same name by Megan Shull, ended before its production started.

The film first made headlines in the summer of 2020, after the "King Richard" star's wife Jada Pinkett Smith's brother Caleb Pinkett, brought the idea to the studio.

The Smiths were originally attached to the project as producers before the involvement of their content company Westbrook. However, a source stated that the spouses were not "leads on the project" but Caleb's supporters.

In July 2021, the movie received attention when Siwa, who previously came out as pansexual, expressed her disapproval of the film's kissing scene with a male co-star.

"I’m madly in love and I do not want to kiss another human," the Nickelodeon star said, "Especially because it’s a man. I’m not about it. I’m trying to get it pulled so bad."

In response to her request, the studio reportedly removed the kissing scene. Unfortunately, "Bounce" has been swept under the rug.

Sources familiar with the project told the news outlet that the film fell apart months, causing Paramount Pictures to remove the film from their development slate.

Insiders noted that the movie's untimely termination occurred before the "Gemini Man" actor created a fuss at the 2022 Academy Awards. 

At the prestigious event, the 53-year-old Philadelphia native slapped the comedian Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife. 

As for Siwa's departure, the "Dancing With The Stars" contestant confessed that it was only a matter of time. The media personality said, "That project got put on hold, and then went away. It wasn't the one."

The YouTuber clarified that her exit from the movie was not connected to Smith's Oscars debacle, but added her take on the matter. The 18-year-old said,

I normally stay out of all politics, it's not my gig. But, I will say that being kind to one another is very important. I think that can go both ways, kindness.

As previously shared by The Blast, the "Aladdin" star deeply regretted his actions at the Academy Awards and has faced multiple repercussions since the incident.

According to sources, the Hollywood heartthrob's ties to the CAA, his agents, were nearly severed by the controversial affair. Fortunately, the Philadelphia native remained on their rosters.

However, the Oscars were not as forgiving as they issued a disciplinary hearing notice, even though the 53-year-old repeatedly apologized for his actions.

Given the odds against him, the "Men In Black" star chose to make amends by dropping his membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

In his resignation letter, the father-of-three expressed his grief over the matter, offering a formal apology to Rock and anyone offended by his actions.

Siwa's exit from the movie comes after she revealed that she was no longer single but happily in love. Per The Blast,  during an appearance on the podcast, "Rachel Uncensored," the "Kid in a Candy Store" singer confessed that she finally has a new girlfriend.

Although she did not share her lover's identity, the dancer made it clear that her new relationship did not come easy.

According to the 18-year-old she "went around the block," trying to spark a connection with other people before achieving happiness.

The "Nobody Can Change Me!" artist also gushed about her newfound lover to sources at the GLAAD Media Awards, where she confirmed her joyful state.

The TV personality, who ended things with ex-girlfriend Kylie Prew in 2021, explained that she felt "lucky" to be unconditionally loved by her partner, who the dancer described as an "awesome" person.