JoJo’s not such a small fry

Pop artist JoJo began singing at age 2, performed a stage version of “Tommy” at 6 and had a No. 1 single at 13.

Now, at 15, she’s making her movie debut with the new comedy “Aquamarine.” She plays Hailey, a tomboy who is about to move to Australia, away from her best friend Claire (played by Emma Roberts).

Days before parting, the pals discover the mermaid Aquamarine (Sara Paxton) stranded in a swimming pool. If they help her find true love, she’ll grant them their fondest wish: staying together.

“I tried to make my character Hailey different from who I am,” says JoJo. “I’m not shy and she was kind of uncomfortable with herself; she covered up with baggy clothes.

“This was a year ago that I shot it, so first of all, I was 10 or 15 pounds heavier. I had no make-up on. I was wearing very ill-fitting clothing and I was watching myself with my hands over my eyes. …

“I was like, ‘Dude, I need to look cute in my next movie.’ “

Vanity aside, JoJo (born Joanna Levesque) found another aspect of the aquatic comedy even more daunting. In one scene, dolphins help tow her through the water to retrieve some starfish.

“I’m afraid of sea creatures and things that could potentially bite me,” she confesses. “My dad’s friend had her arm bit by a dolphin and, ever since then, I was so frightened.

“I was like, ‘Oh my God, they’re going to bite my neck and I’m gonna die. I’m gonna bleed.’ Thank God they were nice, but I took it really emotionally.”

And even though co-stars Roberts and Paxton contributed to the soundtrack, JoJo’s music fans will be surprised to learn she doesn’t sing in the film.

“It was a conscious decision. I don’t want you to think it’s because I think I’m too good, because I’m so not too good,” she says.

“I wanted to just keep my acting and singing separate. That’s why I chose not to play a singer in films or sing in films. In acting I’m going by Joanna ‘JoJo’ Levesque. In singing, just JoJo.”

Unlike Hailey, JoJo doesn’t have just one wish she’d like granted. Her hopes range from generous (world peace) to selfish (a Mercedes SLK or playing soccer with David Beckham).

And with her second album and second film, “RV” with Robin Williams, coming out later this year, she’d love to have a music and film career like a certain Destiny’s Child member.

“I think someone like Beyonce is perfect is every single way. In that sense, I’m jealous of her,” JoJo says.

“She is just flawless: her vocals, her performance, her fashion choices, her career decisions and her choice not to speak so openly about her relationship, even though she is obviously in a loving relationship. I have so much respect for her.”

The birthday bunch

TV personality Ed McMahon is 83. Singer Mary Wilson (The Supremes) is 62. Singer- guitarist David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) is 60. Actor-director Rob Reiner is 59. Singer Kiki Dee is 59. Actor Tom Arnold is 47. Actor D.L. Hughley (“The Hughleys”) is 42. Actress Yvette Wilson (“The Parkers”) is 42. Actress Connie Britton (“24,” “Spin City”) is 38. Actress Moira Kelly is 38. Rapper Beanie Sigel is 32. Rapper Bubba Sparxxx is 29.