5 Reasons Why You Thought JoJo Siwa Was Gay (And Her New, Evolving Identity)

The question "I thought JoJo Siwa was gay" is currently one of the most searched phrases about the former child star, and the answer is more complex—and more recent—than you might think. As of December 2025, JoJo Siwa has publicly clarified that she no longer identifies as a lesbian, instead embracing the broader term "queer." This significant shift in her public identity, coupled with a surprising new romance with a male celebrity, has sparked a massive public discussion, fundamentally challenging the identity she first came out with in 2021. The confusion is entirely valid, as her journey of self-discovery has been an evolving, public process that culminated during her time on a reality show.

This evolving narrative is at the heart of her highly publicized "rebrand," which sees her moving away from the signature bows and bright colors and into a new phase of adulthood. The public perception that she was definitively a lesbian was a natural conclusion based on her initial, highly visible coming-out, but new statements from her time on *Celebrity Big Brother* (UK) have provided a fresh perspective. Her current status is a fluid and open identification as queer, which she says more accurately reflects her true self after feeling "boxed in" by her initial label. This article breaks down the timeline, the reasons for the change, and the new relationship that has the world talking.

Joelle Joanie "JoJo" Siwa: Complete Biography and Profile

Joelle Joanie "JoJo" Siwa is an American singer, dancer, actress, and media personality who first rose to fame as a child star. Her career has been marked by a significant personal and professional evolution, leading to her current status as a figure navigating a controversial transition to adulthood.

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• Full Name: Joelle Joanie Siwa
• Born: May 19, 2003
• Age (as of December 2025): 22
• Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
• Occupation: Singer, Dancer, Actress, Media Personality, YouTuber
• Known For: Appearing on *Dance Moms*, her oversized hair bows, the singles "Boomerang" and "Hold the Drama," and her current "rebrand" to an adult pop star image.
• Initial Public Coming Out: January 2021, where she stated she identified as a lesbian, later specifying she was pansexual but preferred the term lesbian at the time.
• Current Public Identity (2025): Queer.
• Recent Projects: Appearance on *Celebrity Big Brother* (UK) in 2025 and her highly discussed musical "transition" to an edgier, adult persona.

The Full Story: Why JoJo Siwa No Longer Identifies as a Lesbian

The core reason for the public confusion—"I thought JoJo Siwa was gay"—stems from her very public initial coming-out and her subsequent, equally public clarification.

1. The Initial "Lesbian" Label Felt Like a Box

In 2021, when JoJo Siwa first came out, she became one of the most visible young celebrities in the LGBTQ+ community. She initially stated she was pansexual but preferred the term "lesbian" at the time. However, in a 2025 interview, she reflected that she felt "pressured" into that initial label. She admitted that she "kind of boxed myself in" by identifying as a lesbian, which didn't truly capture the fluidity of her feelings.

2. The *Celebrity Big Brother* Realization

The major turning point that led to her current clarification happened while she was a contestant on the 2025 season of *Celebrity Big Brother* (UK). While in the house, she had a conversation with a housemate where she realized that the term "lesbian" no longer fit her. She publicly stated on the show that her time there helped her understand she was not a lesbian.

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3. Embracing the Term "Queer"

Following her time on the reality show, Siwa began to use the term "queer" to describe her sexuality. She has described this as "switching letters," moving from the L (Lesbian) to the Q (Queer). The term queer is an umbrella term that allows for a broader, more open identification that is not strictly limited to women-only relationships, which she found more accurate to her evolving self.

The Chris Hughes Romance and the Public's Confusion

The public's confusion about her identity reached a fever pitch not just because of her new label, but because of a new, high-profile relationship.

The Shocking New Boyfriend

Shortly after her time on *Celebrity Big Brother* (UK), JoJo Siwa confirmed that she was in a romance with fellow housemate, Chris Hughes. Hughes is a male television personality, best known for appearing on *Love Island*. This new relationship with a man immediately caused a stir online, as it seemed to contradict the "lesbian" identity she had been known for.

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A Queer Identity is Not Limited to One Gender

The relationship with Chris Hughes perfectly illustrates why Siwa's new identity as "queer" is necessary for her. Being queer means a person's sexual and/or gender identity is not straight and/or not cisgender, but it does not restrict them to only dating one gender. Her ability to be in a relationship with a man, while still identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community, highlights the fluidity and openness of the queer label. In a recent interview, Siwa opened up about her evolving queer identity, confirming that the romance is authentic.

The Siwa "Rebrand" and Transition to Adulthood

The change in her sexual identity is part of a larger, deliberate strategy that JoJo Siwa has termed her "transition" to adulthood. This rebrand involves a new, edgier aesthetic, a shift in her musical style, and a move away from the child-friendly persona she built with Nickelodeon.

Embracing the "Adult" Label

Siwa is now in her early 20s, and she is openly addressing the significant public reaction to her changed image. She has stated that she is "ready" for the criticism that comes with transitioning out of her child star role. This evolution is a common path for former child stars, but Siwa's is particularly scrutinized due to the highly recognizable nature of her previous image—the high ponytails and giant bows.

A New Era of Authenticity

For JoJo Siwa, the change in her sexual identity from lesbian to queer is about authenticity. By choosing a label that feels more truthful to her, she is aligning her personal life with her professional rebrand, which is focused on expressing her true self without the constraints of her past image. This journey of self-discovery, while public and often confusing to fans, is a genuine attempt to live an open life. The key takeaway is that she is still very much a part of the queer community, but she is now using the term that best reflects her personal experience and her attraction to people regardless of gender, which is why the relationship with Chris Hughes is not a contradiction, but a confirmation of her evolving identity.