JoJo Siwa’s Changing Identity
JoJo Siwa, a former child star known for her influence in the “gay pop” scene, has come out as straight—or, at least, not gay.
“When I came out at 17, I said, ‘I’m pansexual, because I don’t care [about gender].’ But then I kind of boxed myself in and I said, ‘I’m a lesbian.’ I think I did that because of pressure,” she shared in a conversation.
According to Siwa, this pressure sometimes originated from within the LGBTQ community itself, including friends and past partners. “You just feel like, once you declare, ‘Oh, I’m a lesbian,’ you have to meet those expectations,” she explained.
The LGBTQ rights movement often parallels the American Civil Rights Movement from the 1960s. They’ve claimed that sexual orientation is as inherent as race. This rhetorical style also appears with “trans rights advocates.”
It’s challenging to pin down all the reasons that lead someone to have same-sex attractions or to identify with another gender. Social dynamics and current trends play a significant role. It’s not like changing your skin color (unless you’re someone like Michael Jackson), but young individuals might adopt a “queer” identity to address social privileges.
Siwa rose to fame at just nine years old on “Dance Moms,” a show notorious for showcasing intense conflict between the choreographer Abby Lee Miller and her young dancers. Many viewers have wondered if the stress of regional competitions justifies such confrontational behavior toward young girls.
With her face attached to various successful products, Siwa’s most profitable venture has been a line of hair bows aimed at children. Estimates suggest her net worth is around $20 million.
Her public journey into the LGBTQ community began at 17 when she shared a photo on social media in a shirt that read “Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever.” Looking back now, that moment feels somewhat quaint. “Oh, she’s gay? At least she’s not going through drastic medical changes,” one might think.
Siwa embraced her identity, and so did the media. In a 2023 interview with Ellen DeGeneres, she was referred to as a “gay icon,” with DeGeneres applauding her bravery and the positive influence she has had on young fans.
In late 2024, Siwa entered a relationship with a non-binary individual named Kath Ebbs. However, that relationship publicly ended after she was spotted with a binary male, Chris Hughes, on live TV earlier this year, leading to some intimate social media moments shared between them at the start of June. Perfect timing for Pride Month!
There’s a notion that Gen Z is the most openly gay generation ever. A 2023 Gallup Poll revealed over one in five Gen Z adults identifies as “LGBTQ+.” But how many of those individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, or otherwise might actually be straight, just waiting for the right moment to come out?
