The 7 Biggest Controversies And Revelations In Jojo Siwa's Queer Evolution: From 'Lesbian' To 'Q' In 2025

The narrative surrounding Jojo Siwa’s sexuality has undergone its most dramatic and controversial shift to date in 2025. After years of being celebrated as a pioneering figure and "gay icon" for a new generation, the former Nickelodeon star's recent public statements and high-profile relationship have ignited a firestorm of debate within the LGBTQ+ community, forcing a re-evaluation of her role as a figurehead. This article, updated in December 2025, dives deep into the latest revelations, the intense backlash, and the star's unapologetic new identity.

The core of the controversy stems from Siwa's decision to publicly reject the "lesbian" label she previously embraced, clarifying her identity as "queer" while entering a seemingly heterosexual relationship. This evolution, coupled with her candid remarks about feeling pressured, has sparked conversations about biphobia, labels, and the intense scrutiny placed on public figures navigating their sexual identity.

Jojo Siwa: A Full Biographical Profile and Career Timeline

Joelle Joanie "Jojo" Siwa is an American singer, dancer, actress, and media personality whose career trajectory has been defined by rapid evolution and constant public attention.

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• Full Name: Joelle Joanie Siwa
• Born: May 19, 2003
• Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska (NE)
• Age (as of December 2025): 22
• Early Career Start: Siwa was introduced to the world at just nine years old, competing on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition.
• Breakout Role: She gained significant fame as a cast member on the reality show Dance Moms from 2015 to 2016.
• Music Career: Known for her energetic pop persona, characterized by bright outfits and her signature oversized bows, her hit singles include "Boomerang" and "Hold The Drama."
• Coming Out: Siwa publicly came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community via a TikTok post in 2021.
• Notable Relationships: Her relationships have included Kylie Prew and Kath Ebbs (in early 2025).
• Current Status (2025): Siwa is currently dating reality TV star Chris Hughes.

The Shocking Sexuality Clarification on Celebrity Big Brother UK (CBB)

The major catalyst for the 2025 controversy was Jojo Siwa’s appearance on *Celebrity Big Brother UK* (CBB). During the show, which aired in April 2025, Siwa used the platform to publicly re-examine her sexual identity.

"Eff the L — I’m Going to the Q"

In a moment that went viral, Siwa declared she was "switching letters" within the LGBTQ+ acronym, effectively moving from identifying as a lesbian to identifying as queer. She later clarified her stance, stating, "I don't hate the word 'lesbian,' I just — whenever someone talks to me about my sexuality, I just say that I'm gay," but emphasized her identity as queer.

This public shift was a clarification from her previous labels. Siwa had initially come out as pansexual in 2021 before labeling herself a lesbian in a 2023 video. Her latest statement on CBB was definitive: "I’ve always told myself I’m a lesbian, and I think being here I’ve realized: ‘Oh, I’m not a lesbian, I’m queer.’ And I think that’s really cool.”

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The Pressure to Label Herself

A significant part of her 2025 narrative was the revelation that she felt "pressure" to come out as a lesbian. This candid admission resonated with some fans who understand the difficulty of navigating identity in the public eye, but it simultaneously fueled criticism from others who felt she was rejecting a label that had made her an icon for many young lesbian women. Her comments, made in an interview with *YOU Magazine* via the *Daily Mail*, suggested that the spotlight forced her hand on a specific identity.

The Chris Hughes Relationship and the Biphobia Backlash

The controversy reached a fever pitch when Jojo Siwa began dating former *Love Island* star Chris Hughes, a man, shortly after her CBB appearance. This relationship immediately confused the public, especially since she had been in a relationship with Kath Ebbs just as CBB began filming in April 2025.

Accusations of Hypocrisy and "Turning" on the Community

Siwa’s new relationship with a man, following her strong identification as a lesbian, led to intense backlash from the LGBTQ+ community. Many users on social media accused her of hypocrisy, and she claimed that LGBTQ+ people "turned" on her. This reaction highlighted a specific issue: biphobia and the gatekeeping of queer identity.

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The core argument centered on the visibility of queer people in heterosexual-passing relationships. Siwa directly addressed this, stating she now gets "to be an example of somebody who is in the queer community that is in a heterosexual relationship." This statement positioned her as a champion for the fluidity of the queer identity (Q), which encompasses many non-straight identities, including those who are bisexual, pansexual, or fluid and may date partners of any gender.

Professional Repercussions

The public relations fallout was immediate and significant. Amid the escalating controversy, Jojo Siwa faced professional challenges:

• Pride Event Cancellation: She was forced to cancel a scheduled Pride Month concert.
• Omission from Chicago Pride: Siwa was notably omitted from a major Chicago Pride event, a clear sign of the community's fractured relationship with her public image in 2025.

These events underscore the high stakes and intense scrutiny that accompany being a high-profile "gay icon." Her evolution was seen by some as a betrayal of the visibility she had previously offered to the lesbian community.

Jojo Siwa's Enduring Impact on Youth and the Future of 'Gay Pop'

Despite the controversies, Jojo Siwa remains an undeniably influential figure, particularly for young fans navigating their own identities. Her initial coming out in 2021 was widely praised for its significance, providing visibility for LGBTQ+ youth. The sheer scale of her platform—a former *Dance Moms* star with millions of followers—made her a powerful symbol of acceptance.

However, her recent rebrand and comments, including her self-appointed title as the "CEO of gay pop," have also drawn fire. Critics have accused her of "damaging the LGBT community" and ignoring the rich history of queer music that existed long before her. This debate over her "gay pop" persona, which some view as a calculated marketing move, further complicates her legacy.

Ultimately, Jojo Siwa's 2025 journey from "lesbian" to "queer" and her relationship with Chris Hughes serve as a powerful, if messy, example of sexual fluidity in the 21st century. It highlights the tension between the need for clear labels for community building and the personal freedom to define one's own identity. Her current stance firmly plants her as an advocate for the broader, more fluid definition of "queer," even as she faces alleged bullying and alienation from parts of the community she once championed.