Former Child Star Opens Up About Sexuality Journey Amid New Romance with Chris Hughes

LONDON — JoJo Siwa, the 22-year-old former Dance Moms star and pop sensation, has revealed she felt pressured to label herself as a lesbian at age 17, a decision she now says “boxed her in.” In an emotional interview with the Daily Mail’s YOU Magazine, published June 20, 2025, Siwa discussed her evolving journey with her sexuality, her new relationship with British reality TV star Chris Hughes, and the complex pressures she faced from within and outside the LGBTQ+ community.

Siwa, who first came out as pansexual in January 2021 while signed to Nickelodeon, shared that she initially embraced the label because it reflected her belief that “I don’t care [about gender].” However, she later adopted the term “lesbian,” a choice she attributes to external pressures. “When I came out at 17, I said, ‘I’m pansexual,’” Siwa told the Daily Mail. “But then I kind of boxed myself in and I said, ‘I’m a lesbian.’ And I think I did that because of the pressure.” She noted that this pressure came, in part, “from inside the [LGBTQ] community at times,” including from people she knew and past partners, creating an environment where she felt obligated to commit to the label.

The revelation came during Siwa’s time on Celebrity Big Brother UK in April 2025, where she formed a close bond with fellow contestant Chris Hughes, a 32-year-old former Love Island star. Their relationship, which turned romantic after Siwa ended her relationship with Australian podcast host Kath Ebbs in March 2025, prompted her to reevaluate her identity. During a conversation with RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Danny Beard on the show, Siwa declared, “I’ve realized I’m not a lesbian, I’m queer. I’m switching letters! I’ve dropped the L and I’ve gone to the Q, baby!” She described “queer” as a better-fitting label, embracing the fluidity of her sexuality.

Siwa’s journey has not been without challenges. Her public coming out at 17, marked by a viral social media post featuring a “Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever.” T-shirt, was met with both support and scrutiny. She faced bullying from actor Mickey Rourke on Celebrity Big Brother, who reportedly threatened to “vote the lesbian out real quick,” and was notably excluded from Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards post-coming out. Despite these setbacks, Siwa expressed resilience, telling the Daily Mail, “I wouldn’t change anything,” and emphasizing that “sexuality is fluid.”

Her relationship with Hughes, confirmed on June 2, 2025, after weeks of speculation, has sparked both admiration and controversy. Some fans have criticized Siwa, arguing she should take “accountability” for choosing the lesbian label at 17, with one X user writing, “Surely at that age she would be able to stand up for herself.” Others, like model Christine McGuinness, have defended her, stating Siwa “shouldn’t have to explain her sexuality.” The romance, described by Siwa as a “beautiful development” in a June interview with The Guardian, has also drawn attention for its timing during Pride Month, though Siwa insists it is “genuine” and not for publicity.

Siwa’s candidness has reignited discussions about the pressures young celebrities face in defining their identities publicly. Her shift to identifying as queer reflects a broader acceptance of fluid sexuality, a sentiment she echoed on Celebrity Big Brother when she told Beard, “That’s what I love about sexuality.” Her story resonates with many, as evidenced by posts on X, where users like @PinkNews and @enews amplified her interview, sparking conversations about authenticity and societal expectations.

As Siwa navigates her career, recently parting ways with Columbia Records and seeking new opportunities in London, she remains focused on her happiness. “When I think about him, I’m full of pure joy,” she said of Hughes in an E! News interview on June 14, 2025. Her openness about her struggles and growth continues to shape her narrative, proving that even in the spotlight, JoJo Siwa is determined to define herself on her own terms.