The J Team

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For the Taiwanese esports organization, see J Team.
The J Team
The J Team poster.jpeg
Official release poster
Directed byMichael Lembeck
Written byEydie Faye
Produced by
  • JoJo Siwa
  • Eydie Faye
  • Don Dunn
  • Syrinthia Studer
Starring
  • JoJo Siwa
  • Tisha Campbell
  • Laura Soltis
  • Julia Marley
  • Kerrynton Jones
  • Kiara T. Romero
CinematographyThomas M. Harting
Edited byTod Modisett
Music byGabriel Mann
Production
companies
Distributed byParamount+
Release date
  • September 3, 2021 (2021-09-03) (United States)
Running time
85 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The J Team is a 2021 American family musical film directed by Michael Lembeck, written by Eydie Faye, produced by JoJo Siwa, Don Dunn, Faye, and Syrinthia Studer, and starring Siwa, Tisha Campbell, Laura Soltis, Julia Marley, Kerrynton Jones, and Kiara T. Romero. The film was produced by Nickelodeon Movies in association with AwesomenessTV[1][2] and tells the story of JoJo, who is kicked out of her dance troupe after her former dance coach retires and is replaced with a new coach with harsh rules.

It was released on Paramount+ on September 3, 2021.

Plot[]

JoJo Siwa is part of a dance troupe that was run by Val (Laura Soltis). When Val retires, she is replaced by the strict Coach Poppy (Tisha Campbell) who brings about harsh rules and kicks JoJo out of her troupe after she fails to live up to her expectations. While rediscovering dancing and friendship, JoJo meets other dancers as the form a dance troupe called the J Team.

Cast[]

  • JoJo Siwa as a fictional version of herself[3][4]
  • Tisha Campbell as Coach Poppy, a strict and sparkle-hating dance coach who kicks JoJo out of the dance troupe she now runs
  • Laura Soltis as Val, JoJo's former dance coach and Coach Poppy's predecessor
  • Julia Marley as Nina
  • Kerrynton Jones as Ruby M., one of JoJo's best friends
  • Kiara T. Romero as Ruby D., one of JoJo's best friends
  • Kenya Jordan as Pepper
  • Kyra Leroux as Jess
  • Mya Lowe as Sunshine
  • Marlow Percival as Desi
  • Chris Francisque as Mr. Melody

Production[]

In February 2020, it was reported that a JoJo Siwa film project was in the works at Nickelodeon.[5] In February 2021, Siwa announced on The Tonight Show that title of the project was The J Team, and that she was to star and produce the film. It was also announced that an original soundtrack, including six songs written by Siwa, would be released alongside the film, and that filming would begin that month, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[1]

Soundtrack[]

The J Team (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
JoJo Siwa
ReleasedAugust 27, 2021
GenrePop, dance-pop
Length24:57
LabelViacom International

The J Team (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) was released by Viacom International on August 27, 2021.[6] A music video for "Dance Through the Day" including behind-the-scenes footage from the film was released on August 6, 2021.[7]

All songs are performed by JoJo Siwa.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Dance Through the Day"Andrew Underberg, Jeannie Lurie, JoJo Siwa, Matthew Tishler2:35
2."One Chance"Gus Ross, Luke Eisner, Underberg, Siwa, Tishler2:26
3."Only Getting Better" (J Team Edition)Underberg, Lurie, Siwa, Tishler2:24
4."Outta the Park"Underberg, Lurie, Siwa, Tishler2:15
5."U-N-I"Underberg, Lurie, Siwa, Tishler2:27
6."Back To That Girl"Underberg, Lurie, Siwa, Tishler2:48
7."Nobody Can Change Me!"Underberg, Ross, Lurie, Siwa, Eisner, Tishler3:37
8."D.R.E.A.M" (J Team Edition)Ali Dee Theodore, Anthony Mirabella, Doug Davis, James Keith Petrie, Jodie Shihadeh, Nikki Ann Sorentino, Susan Paroff, Siwa2:42
9."Nobody Can Change Me!" (J Team Movie Version)Underberg, Ross, Lurie, Siwa, Eisner, Tishler3:39

Performance controversy[]

On September 15, 2021, Siwa called out Nickelodeon on social media for preventing her from performing any songs from The J Team in her upcoming 2022 D.R.E.A.M. Tour, claiming she is "treated as only a brand" by the company.[8] The situation has been described as similar to that of Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, both of whom were signed to a major children's television network at a young age.[9]

Release[]

A one-minute trailer for the film was released on July 27, 2021.[10] A drive-in premiere screening of the film was held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on September 3, 2021, releasing exclusively on Paramount+ the same day.[11]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Petski, Denise (February 4, 2021). "JoJo Siwa to Star & Exec Produce Nickelodeon Live-Action Musical 'The J Team'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  2. ^ "Breaking News - Paramount+ Announces 'The J Team,' a New Live-Action Musical Starring Pop Star and Social Media Sensation JoJo Siwa, to Premiere September 3". The Futon Critic. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  3. ^ Hailu, Selome (August 26, 2021). "JoJo Siwa on Portraying Herself in 'The J Team,' Wanting to Play Lady Gaga in a Biopic". Variety. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  4. ^ Drysdale, Jennifer (August 30, 2021). "JoJo Siwa on 'The J Team' Being Her 'First Big Project' as an Adult (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  5. ^ Chmielewski, Dawn (February 24, 2020). "Baby Shark And 'Chicken Girl' Enter Ryan's World As Nickelodeon Bids For Social Media Lift". Forbes. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  6. ^ "The J Team (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. 27 August 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  7. ^ JoJo Siwa [@itsjojosiwa] (August 8, 2021). "'DANCE THROUGH THE DAY' FROM 'THE J TEAM'!!! Watch the BTS music video right now!!! Link in my bio