JoJo is speaking out with a lengthy statement in response to the news of Broadway’s Chess announcing an early closing, effectively cancelling her run in the musical.
The 35-year-old “Too Little, Too Late” singer was previously announced as the next Florence Vassy in the acclaimed musical, replacing Lea Michele after her final performance on June 21. The show will now close on June 21 instead.
JoJo gave a brief reaction to the news in an Instagram comment just minutes after the closing news was revealed, but now she has released a full reaction in a new video.
JoJo began her video, “Guys, I was so excited to make my return to the great Broadway, but you know what, life had other plans. I’m so, so sad to hear about the closing of Chess. I really dove in with my vocal coach and my acting teacher and I just love the role of Florence so much.”
“To everybody that got to see the show, you know that Lea was incredible in it,” she added.
JoJo continued, “I think the thing that’s weirdest about this is just that you think you have a job or you think you know what you’re doing for the rest of the year pretty much, you know? You have your summer planned out and then all of a sudden you don’t.”
In her video, JoJo included clips of herself rehearsing songs like “Nobody’s Side” and “I Know Him So Well.” She also visited with the cast backstage, got a vocal lesson, checked out the Chess billboard in Times Square, visited the Broadway theater, and more.
JoJo also included a video from the moment she learned that Chess was closing before her run.
“I’m so sad. I just found out that Chess is closing June 21 and I was supposed to go in June 23. So, there’s no way to make that a nice thing. It sucks, for everybody who was a part of the production already and has been doing it. This business is just snip done. It’s crazy, but I’m very much a forward motion, keep it moving type of person,” she said.
JoJo wrote the below in the caption.
Man… the day before starting rehearsals I got the news that @chessbway is closing.
My heart truly goes out to the hundreds of people attached to this beautiful production. Thank you to everyone who got advanced tickets and made plans to see me in NYC. This is a wild game! Things closin left n right. Hold on TIGHT! Wooooooo
Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher, who were set to star alongside JoJo, both sent support in the comments.
Aaron wrote, “Gutted.” He previously starred opposite JoJo in the musical Moulin Rouge.
Nicholas said, “we have to sing something together at some point.”
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