10 Questions with ... JoJo Wright

1. After hosting nights for 20 years at KIIS, what was it like getting the call for afternoon drive?

Getting the call to do afternoons was quite the process. I was always hesitant to leave the night show, as I had put so much into it, but the timing seemed right. Once Jesse Lozano told me he was looking to focus more on his San Diego morning show, discussions with John Ivey began to heat up. 

The pandemic threw a wrench into everything, slowed the process a bit, but everything worked out great. It’s the absolute perfect move, feels ‘meant to be’ in many ways.

2. What, if anything, will you be doing differently? 

No major changes in what I’ll be doing on air--lots of calls, artists will drop by, doing what I’m known for, I suppose. Perhaps more mentions of family, my kid, general “adulating.” People have heard me grow up in a way on KIIS. They’ve heard me do everything from break my arm on the radio, to having a cake fight with my musical hero Michael Jackson, to the birth of our daughter Sophie! The audience has grown with me as well, so I’ll share more of those personal moments and highlights for sure. 

And my paranormal obsession will continue in the afternoon! My podcast PARANORMALISH has grown, very exciting to see an odd passion project have such strong support by iHeart…I’m absolutely thrilled!

3. How has navigating the pandemic made you a better performer, what have you learned that will stay with you moving forward? 

The pandemic has forced us all to “read the room” more intently. Something I’d like to think I’ve been good at, but this was another level. On a heritage Top 40, entertainment has always been key, but it’s impossible to simply entertain when the world is ending. We can’t go into full news mode either, nor can we bury our heads in the sand, such a delicate balance. Then factor in social injustice and heated political moments over the last year, unprecedented. It forced us all (or should have) to become more human on air. To reveal our true ups and downs, relatable to a fault. This I believe should stick with us going forward. Morning shows have generally been good at this, primarily due to longer talk segments, but this needs to be a round-the-clock part of all our personalities, each in our individual ways of course.

4. What sort of social media “tricks” have you been using to stay connected to listeners?

Social media for me is a roller coaster, exciting one moment, brutally frustrating the next. I think I’ve done well with it, but I’m certainly far from great. I can’t tell you the hours I’ve spent, hundreds of strategy notes in my phone, it gives me anxiety (but I love it)!

When the pandemic first hit, I did loads of IG Lives, etc., very effective! However I think we burned out on those, but that’s something I need to bring back more often. Also,I have spent more time jumping on listener’s zooms and IG Lives, just to say hello. Being bored forced us all to explore a bit more, to connect more, perhaps that can be our new norm. 

5. You’ve had amazing interviews and been in some amazing situations, share a couple!

I must admit, I’ve had some wild artist moments. Probably the most talked about is my Michael Jackson cake fight story. Long story short, I hosted a fundraiser at Neverland in 2003, which ended with Michael Jackson smashing cake in my face! After thrashing Nick and Aaron Carter with cake, MJ spun around and there I was, face to face with the KING OF POP! He paused, I blurted “Hit Me Michael”, he responded “Are you sure”.. “YES”!!! I ended up showering in a guest house at Neverland, the entire story is just so surreal. 

One time Ariana Grande approached me the day before Halloween, “let’s take over the radio station and do a Halloween show!” So, the following day (Saturday), snuck into the building, jumped on air (only a few select people knew), surprised everyone! 

And perhaps the most embarrassing, I once accidentally hit Nick Jonas in the “junk.” I went to give him a hug before Wango Tango, unfortunately my laptop bag swung and hit him with such precision that he hit the ground! Absolutely terrible. And hilarious. And terrible. Oh, Demi Lovato was there too. Not my finest moment, but we’ve laughed about it for years now. 

6. You’re 3 years now into hosting the iHeartRadio Countdown. What has that experience been like so far?

The iHeartRadio Countdown is one of my favorite things, but it does keep me busy. It’s on quite a few radio stations, mostly US, a few international. Thanks to Zoom I currently do most of the interviews at my house (before the afternoon show), will typically edit late on Thursday or Friday afternoons, generally working a week ahead. I’m a routine guy, so I try to create a plan and stick to it, although artists’ schedules are certainly all over the place. 

I’ve developed relationships with quite a few artists, many have become friends and those are the best! To have Katy Perry on after knowing her for years, or Niall Horan, Shawn Mendes, or my buds The Backstreet Boys, one of my favorite parts of the gig.

7. Favorite radio station/jocks as a kid?

My favorite station to listen to when I was a kid was KKBQ/Houston (when it was Top 40), I absolutely loved Hollywood Henderson in the evenings! Also another fav, even though I could only listen with tapes (yes, cassettes), was Hollywood Hamilton at KIIS LA. These two in particular made me love the evening time slot, was just something special about them! Not sure if I’ve told them that, but I’m definitely a fan. 

8. Who were your mentors? Influenced your career the most?

I’ve had a few career mentors, but none more crucial to my career than John Ivey. He’s tough as nails, however I’m pretty sure he loves me as much as I love him (but he won’t admit it). But seriously, he absolutely gets it. I can tell when a programmer says something if they are really listening and hear the subtle things. John just knows, he’s been there before. His most classic piece of advice, “JoJo don’t F** up my radio station.” All joking aside, I owe a lot to John, he’s been a big part of my life. 

9. What’s one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

The one truth that I have stuck with my entire career…BE UNIQUE!!! That’s what I absolutely strive for, with intent—you must take your own path. Obviously, I’ve been inspired by many over the years, but at a certain point, you need to take a left turn and carve your own niche. DO YOU, UNTIL THEY PAY YOU TO DO YOU! 

I dabbled with the name “Hollywood” early in my career, obviously because of my love for a few radio idols (mentioned above). But the day “JoJo On The Radio” happened, everything changed! Biggest “light bulb” moment ever!

10. With an unlimited budget, what artists would you pull together for a “No More COVID” listener bash?

I’m gonna do 5 groups that will set Staples Center on fire!!! A multi-generation boy band concert!

Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Jonas Brothers, One Direction & BTS!!! This will sell out in mere seconds! You’re welcome!