If there are any Teena Marie fans who think JoJo doesn’t have what it takes to do the Ivory Queen of Soul’s biopic justice, the 31-year-old’s recently shared rendition of the classic tune ‘Square Biz’ may be just what’s needed to change their minds.
@iamjojoofficial lil sneak peek 🫣 I was in the booth. I had a track. WHY NOT?! Wanna hear more? 🥰 #teenamarie #jojo #squarebiz #livevocals ♬ original sound – iamjojoofficial
Taking to TikTok Friday (September 23), Jo shared a short but sweet clip of some recent studio time (as seen above).
Said to be hard-at-work on her next musical project – the follow-up to 2021’s ‘Trying Not to Think About It’ – the GRAMMY nominee gave Lady T lovers something to think about when she laid into a cover of the late diva’s 1981 hit ‘Square Biz.’
The showing comes after years of calls for Jo to portray Marie in a biographical film, a call the ‘Leave (Get Out)’ singer has spoken out about in the past.
As of time reported there are no official plans unveiled to bring Teena’s life to the silver screen, but we’re definitely among those who believe Jo would be an apt choice for the role.
The multi-hyphenate star may be best known for her soaring vocal displays, but she’s no stranger to soaring on the big and small screen as well. Over the years she’s flexed her acting chops in movies and TV shows like ‘American Dreams’ (2004), ‘Aquamarine‘ (2006), ‘RV‘ (2006), ‘True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet‘ (2008), ‘Hawaii Five-0‘ (2011), ‘All American‘ (2022), and more.
![Performances: Halle Bailey, Ashanti, Gladys Knight, JoJo, Smokey Robinson, & More Rock NBC's 'A Motown Christmas' [Watch]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ashanti-gladys-knight-thatgrapejuice-motown-christmas-nbc-smokey-halle-bailey-jordin-sparks-jojo-464x260.jpg "Performances: Halle Bailey, Ashanti, Gladys Knight, JoJo, Smokey Robinson, & More Rock NBC's 'A Motown Christmas' [Watch].")
I’m sure it was just an artistic choice, but I think JoJo should sing it with more staccato like Teena did to match the punchy rhythm of the song. If you’re going to play Teena, you have to sing like Teena.
It’s a kind and unanimous No!
Jojo is a talented soft spoken trained singer. Just not Teena Marie’s essence vocally or in any way.
She won a grammy.
Nah she hasn’t. The song won one, she didn’t because it was a songwriter Grammy
I think Christian Aguilera would be a better choice.
Hell yeah
She’s an awesome singer but it’s a no for me. Her voice is not soulful.enough
I totally agree!
No….please don’t ever attempt that again, does not do the song justice.
What makes her a good choice for the role, can she act? Lord knows she’s not coming no where near Teena vocally. Teena’s voice was strong and soulful, I’m hearing neither of those qualities from this vocalist.
Girl, if you dare take on these huge shoes of Lady T…..You better ba..ring it!
She can sing, but I don’t think this is the role for her. In this clip she hits as pop vs. soul. The tone, texture and body of her delivery is missing the quality that comes from hanging out with Rick James and being a part of Motown. There’s s I me grown woman-ness that’s missing.
JO JO LOOKS JUST LIKE TEENA MAIE
HELL NAW
I think with a good vocal coach she could pull it off. She just needs more practice, so she won’t be trying that bullshxt again, 🤦🏾♀️. Like GIRL, just sing the song as it goes, like Teena sang it, not using your own adlibs. 🥴
But again I think she could pull it off with a good vocal coach, she already has the looks. Unless there’s some dope new actor on the scene that we don’t know about yet.