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Pressured to Call Myself a Lesbian: JoJo Siwa Reveals the Truth About Chris Hughes and What Really Happened After Celebrity Big Brother
JoJo Siwa Opens Up: The Truth About Her Relationship with Chris Hughes and Life After Celebrity Big Brother
JoJo Siwa, the multi-talented star who first won hearts as a child on reality TV, is now navigating the next phase of her life—and she’s doing so with remarkable candor. In her only interview following her time on Celebrity Big Brother UK, JoJo Siwa opened up about her evolving sense of self and her headline-making relationship with Chris Hughes, the former Love Island contestant.
A New Chapter: From Child Star to Adult Icon
JoJo Siwa’s journey is studded with impressive milestones. From bursting onto the scene at age nine on Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition to commanding stages across the globe, she has remained a prominent figure in entertainment. By 13, she had launched albums, acted in films, and managed a business empire selling tens of millions of her signature hair bows—a cultural phenomenon in itself. At just 22, JoJo now stands at a reflective crossroad, pondering her next steps in a career that has rarely seen a pause.
Recent years brought pivotal changes. After being signed by Nickelodeon at 13 and embarking on a record-breaking world tour at 15, JoJo seamlessly transitioned from child star to young adult. Her merchandise empire exploded, with products ranging from dolls to backpacks flying off the shelves at major retailers like Walmart and Claire’s, and her instantly recognizable “JoJo Bows” even faced school bans in the UK for their popularity.
Financially, JoJo’s success has been staggering, with an estimated net worth of $20 million. But she notes the unique pressures that come with fame and fortune at such a young age—reflecting that even now, she can barely comprehend the scale of her achievements.
Family at the Heart
Despite the challenges fame brings, JoJo credits her grounded family life for her resilience. Her mother, Jessalynn, remains both manager and confidante, still hand-decorating JoJo’s stage costumes. The family’s move from Omaha, Nebraska, to California was a collective decision—a leap of faith that JoJo acknowledges as rooted in a desire to stay together rather than the pursuit of stardom alone.
Navigating Sexual Identity and Coming Out
In January 2021, at the peak of her Nickelodeon fame, JoJo came out privately and later publicly on Instagram. Her T-shirt, “Best Gay Cousin Ever,” signaled a pivotal shift, but it wasn’t easy behind the scenes. She later disclosed that she fielded calls from company executives and retail partners, but she handled the situation with trademark positivity. Though JoJo doesn’t dwell on speculation that her coming out impacted her relationship with Nickelodeon, she notes there was a definite cooling of ties afterward.
Over time, JoJo’s understanding of her sexuality has continued to evolve. While she initially identified as pansexual, she later described herself as a lesbian—partly, she now admits, due to pressure from within the LGBTQ+ community and close relationships. Today, she simply describes herself as queer:
“You just get put in this world where you feel like, because you now have said, ‘Oh, I’m a lesbian,’ you have to be a lesbian. And the truth is, sexuality is fluid.”
The Unexpected Romance: JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes
JoJo Siwa’s time on Celebrity Big Brother UK introduced her to Chris Hughes, a British TV presenter best known from Love Island. Initially “platonic soulmates,” the pair’s chemistry was unmistakable, both to audiences and to themselves. Their relationship deepened after the show, transitioning from close friends to romantic partners—a development JoJo herself has called “the best thing that’s ever happened” to her.
Their romance wasn’t without scrutiny, especially as JoJo was publicly dating non-binary actor Kath Ebbs during the show. JoJo’s openness about her journey—both romantic and personal—has endeared her to fans who have watched her grow up under the spotlight. When asked by The Guardian about her feelings for Hughes, JoJo replied:
“It’s not platonic anymore, and it’s been a beautiful development, a beautiful connection, and I’m absolutely head over heels for him and he’s the same way.”
After Celebrity Big Brother, JoJo and Chris were seen vacationing together, and their social media, including Instagram, now frequently features their adventures as a couple. Their openness on platforms like Instagram and TikTok has fueled both media attention and overwhelming fan support, with JoJo even discussing her hopes for family and a future with Chris in interviews.
For coverage of their developing relationship and public appearances, visit Chris Hughes’ Instagram account or check out entertainment profiles at People and the Los Angeles Times.
Reality TV Challenges and Public Pressure
Celebrity Big Brother brought its own drama. JoJo faced inappropriate questions about her sexuality on air from fellow contestant Mickey Rourke, to which she responded with composure. Behind the scenes, JoJo says Rourke “was trying to get under her skin,” but she has always chosen positivity over conflict.
Her public breakup with Ebbs drew commentary and TikTok responses, but JoJo handled the attention with poise, choosing to focus on the support she receives rather than the negatives.
Reflecting on Fame—and What’s Next
Like many child stars, JoJo is confronting the reality that her biggest professional moments may already be behind her—or at least, that the kind of stardom she knew as a teen is different now. Her 2024 single “Karma” and a swap from arena shows to smaller, more intimate venues mark this new era. Yet, JoJo is proud of her younger self’s achievements and determined to pursue her passions on her own terms.
Despite past pressures and public scrutiny, JoJo’s sense of stability and happiness shines through. As she told her interviewer:
“If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t change a thing. Really. Zero. I would change nothing.”
For deeper insight into JoJo Siwa’s story, her romantic journey with Chris Hughes, and exclusive interviews, read more at People, Los Angeles Times, and JoJo Siwa’s official news page.
