UPDATE — 7/15/25, 8:10 a.m. ET: Kim Carnes has officially weighed in on JoJo Siwa’s “Bette Davis Eyes” cover days after reportedly sharing (and deleting) her thoughts via social media.
“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,” Carnes, 79, told TMZ on Monday, July 14. “ The phrasing, the tone, even the little inflections — it all felt a bit too close.”
Despite not being a huge fan of the new version, Carnes defended Siwa, 22, from the online vitriol that’s been directed at her recently.
“I’m all for female artists lifting each other up,” Carnes 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.”
She added, “At the same time, I believe artists have the right to speak openly about how something makes them feel — especially when it’s as personal as your voice. These days, our voice is one of the few things we truly own. So when it feels like your voice is being borrowed, it strikes a deeply personal chord.”
After teasing her cover of the song via social media last week, Siwa released the full version on Friday, July 11.
Original story:
JoJo Siwa’s cover of “Bette Davis Eyes” is making waves across social media — and seemingly with singer Kim Carnes, who popularized the hit in the ’80s.
Carnes, 79, seemingly offered her take in a since-deleted Instagram post shared via Reddit on Wednesday, July 9. “There is a difference between singing a song … And embodying it,” Carnes 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.”
While Carnes’ post didn’t explicitly name Siwa, 22, many fans theorized that the remark was a reference to her recent cover. Earlier this week, the Dance Moms alum shared a snippet of herself singing “Bette Davis Eyes” in an Instagram video.
“After performing this song live and then seeing the beautiful response to it, I decided to go record a studio vocal,” she wrote on Monday, July 7. “I’m undecided if I should release it on Spotify or not…. Would you want me to?!!!🤍 if you would, I’m thinking maybe end of this week?”
Siwa also shared another snippet with the caption, “Thinking about releasing it this Friday, but still unsure. sharing a lil bit of verse 1 to see if you think I should or not!”
On Thursday, July 10, Siwa confirmed that she’s planning to officially release the track as a single. “My cover of ‘Bette Davis Eyes’ is coming out TONIGHT at midnight:) will be available for streaming everywhere you listen to music!” she wrote via Instagram.
Carnes released “Bette Davis Eyes” in March 1981, and it peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. While the song is technically a cover — it was originally recorded by cowriter Jackie DeShannon in 1974 — Carnes’ version is the one that became a hit.
Last year, Carnes explained that DeShannon’s cowriter, Donna Weiss, brought her the demo, but she didn’t originally like what she heard.
“I loved the lyrics but not the feel. When we were in rehearsal for my album, Bill Cuomo, my longtime keyboard genius, came up with totally different chords and a haunting vibe,” Carnes explained via Instagram in October 2024. “I said to my band, ‘Gary Newman‘s Cars record!’ … It was a total collaboration! Bill Cuomo has never gotten the credit he deserves for completely changing the vibe and the chords. Bill made all the difference!!!”
While Siwa’s cover is making headlines, she’s not the first person to put their own spin on the track. Gwyneth Paltrow performed a version of the hit for her 2000 movie Duets, and Taylor Swift released a live edition of the song after singing it on her Speak Now World Tour. Ethel Cain also covered the tune on tour last year and earlier this month released “F*** Me Eyes,” which some fans have interpreted as a sort of spiritual sequel to Carnes’ track.
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