Latest news with #JoJo
Buzz Feed
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
JoJo Siwa Talks Lesbian Identity Pressure: Opinion
JoJo Siwa discussed feeling "pressure" to identify as a lesbian, so let's talk about it. When JoJo first came out in 2021, she generally used the term "gay" as more of a synonym for queer. "I don't know, bisexual, pansexual, queer, lesbian, gay, straight. I always just say gay because it just kind of covers it or queer because I think the keyword is cool, she told People. "Technically I would say that I am pansexual because that's how I have always been my whole life is just like, my human is my human." She even made headlines for not liking the word "lesbian." In the years that followed, JoJo did occasionally use the term "lesbian" and was publicly in relationships with women and nonbinary people. During her stint on Big Brother earlier this year, she ultimately concluded, 'I feel, like, so queer, do you know what I mean? I think that's the thing, 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.' She is currently dating co-star Chris Hughes. JoJo is currently set to be on the cover of the Daily Mail's YOU Magazine this weekend. Ahead of the full interview, the tabloid ran an excerpt with a headline beginning, "I was pressured into calling myself a lesbian." In the interview, she said, "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.' And I think I did that because of pressure." 'In a weird way, I think it came a little bit from inside the [LGBTQ] community at times,' she continued. 'From people I know, from partners I've had. 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.' Now, I know that weird straight people will jump on the headline as evidence of some gay conspiracy. But all this does is ignore the evident biphobia that underpins JoJo's story. And yes, this can come from people who are queer themselves! In fact, I am almost certain that any bisexual person you ask will say they've experienced some form of biphobia in LGBTQ spaces — there's even a term for it, "double discrimination." When someone so young is being told by both straight and gay people that their sexuality isn't legitimate, can you blame them for going with what feels more right to them in the moment? I'm using "biphobia" here as a blanket term for "anti-fludity." It's a problem that's been around for eons. Years ago, I asked a leader at a company I worked at about the prevalence of bi-erasure. In response, he, a man in his 60s, said that he likely would have identified as bisexual if he were coming out now, but instead went with "gay" because he felt that people wouldn't have believed him. Such is the double-edged sword with biphobia: Whether you're a man or a woman, it's assumed that you're simply into men. Plus, as JoJo says, sexuality is fluid. I can't help but wonder if the people making the biggest deal over this have an internal abhorrence over someone, well, expressing that fluidity. I'm just an idiot with a keyboard, but it really bothers me 0% if someone updates their preferred terms. It's all very "backlash at Demi Lovato for using she/her pronouns again," even though they are still nonbinary and their point was completely missed in that discourse. There's also the frustration from people who say things like, "Well, why did JoJo have to make being a lesbian such a big part of her brand?" For one, JoJo said that she "basically got blackballed" by Nickelodeon after she came out (Nickelodeon has denied this). It's possible that the decision to pivot so hard into the queerness of it all may not have been driven just by her. This is 2025: I have to write a defense piece about JoJo Siwa. In short, don't aim your hate at JoJo. Aim it at the biphobic system, and, instead, let us unite about the 11-year age gap between her and Chris. Looking for more LGBTQ+ or Pride content? Then check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride 2025.
Metro
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
JoJo Siwa hints at marriage with Chris Hughes weeks after confirming romance
JoJo Siwa says she's had 'so many thoughts' about marriage to Chris Hughes. The Dance Moms star, 22, struck up a romance with the former Love Island contestant, 32, on the British TV series Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year and revealed that she is missing him after returning to the US following a two-week stay at his home in the UK. Their relationship set tongues wagging during their time on the show, notably after JoJo split with partner Kath Ebbs shortly after exiting the Big Brother house. After going public with their relationship after weeks of rumours, JoJo opened up about her 'favourite person in the world' and how 'grateful and very happy' he makes her feel. The star admitted that she was missing her boyfriend and 'wished he was there' with her. Quizzed on whether she had contemplated marriage to Chris, she told TMZ she has 'so many thoughts' about tying the knot. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Siwa confirmed earlier this month that her relationship with Hughes was romantic rather than platonic and confessed that she is 'absolutely head over heels' in love with the reality star. She told The Guardian: '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.' The former Nickelodeon star also rubbished claims that her romance with Chris was just a 'PR stunt.' 'Clearly, you've never been around us. I won't ever speak for him, but for me personally, the happiness in my life just radiates off of me right now,' she continued. 'Literally yesterday, I was massaging my cheeks; I've never [before] been in pain from smiling so much.' However, she admitted she can understand why others are intrigued by her and Chris being together. 'People can see our chemistry, and they got to see it develop,' she said. 'I think everyone's just curious, and I can't blame them.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video JoJo has declared meeting Chris as the 'best thing' that's ever happened to her and noted how her family have picked up on her change in demeanour since she competed on the reality show. She explained: 'Ever since Big Brother, genuinely. Even my family is like, 'What happened in there?' 'You know when you're alone, how you feel? You are your true, raw self. I've obviously felt like that before, but never around one single person.' More Trending It comes after JoJo clarified her sexuality after previously coming out as a lesbian, and then describing herself as Queer while in the Big Brother house. 'I think the most beautiful term now is queer,' JoJo told E! News. 'I think queer is an umbrella of, 'Look, I'm just me.' 'And I think the most beautiful thing about the LGBTQIA community is love is love. And that goes both ways.' The Karma hitmaker added: 'There's loads of beautiful, different sexualities. Sexuality and queerness is a lovely rainbow that has all different places, and it also has places on this rainbow that we don't even know exist yet.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The moment Kim Woodburn savagely branded Phillip Schofield 'phoney' on This Morning MORE: Kim Woodburn wasn't perfect – but she was a gay icon MORE: Kim Woodburn's heartfelt message to fans in final video before her death
Perth Now
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
'He is my favourite person in the world': JoJo Siwa has thought about marriage to Chris Hughes
JoJo Siwa has had "so many thoughts" about marriage to Chris Hughes. The Dance Moms star struck up a romance with the former Love Island contestant on the British TV series Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year and revealed that she is missing him after returning to the US after spending two weeks in the UK at his home. Speaking to TMZ, JoJo said: "He is my favourite person in the world... It's beautiful, it kind of radiates. He's my favourite person and I am very grateful and very happy." The 22-year-old star admitted that she was missing her boyfriend and "wished he was there" with her. Quizzed on if she had contemplated marriage to Chris, 32, JoJo declared that she has "so many thoughts" about tying the knot. Siwa confirmed earlier this month that her relationship with Hughes was romantic rather than platonic and confessed that she is "absolutely head over heels" in love with the reality star. She told The Guardian newspaper: "It's not platonic any more, 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." The former Nickelodeon star also rubbished claims that her romance with Chris was just a "PR stunt". JoJo said: "Clearly, you've never been around us. I won't ever speak for him, but for me personally, the happiness in my life just radiates off of me right now. Literally yesterday, I was massaging my cheeks; I've never [before] been in pain from smiling so much." However, the star - who was in a relationship with non-binary influencer Kath Ebbs before taking part in Celebrity Big Brother - can understand why others are intrigued by her and Chris being together. She said: "People can see our chemistry, and they got to see it develop. "I think everyone's just curious, and I can't blame them." JoJo has declared meeting Chris as the "best thing" that's ever happened to her and noted how her family have picked up on her change in demeanour since she competed on the reality show. She explained: "Ever since Big Brother, genuinely. Even my family is like, 'What happened in there?' "You know when you're alone, how you feel? You are your true, raw self. I've obviously felt like that before, but never around one single person."
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Christine McGuinness comes to JoJo Siwa's defence after her sexuality admission
Christine McGuinness has defended JoJo Siwa after the 18-year-old influencer was criticised for dating Chris Hughes, who she met on Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year Reality TV star Christine McGuinness has come out in support of JoJo Siwa, stating that the young star shouldn't have to "explain" her sexuality amidst her new relationship with Chris Hughes. The 22-year-old internet sensation began a romance with the 32-year-old Love Island star after meeting on Celebrity Big Brother, despite previously identifying as lesbian. During her time on the ITV show, JoJo shared with housemates that she'd now prefer to identify as queer. Christine, who parted ways with her husband Paddy McGuinness last year and has herself dated women, defended JoJo's right to privacy regarding her sexual orientation. On her Situationships podcast, 37-year-old Christine commented: "Let them live. I've sort of gone through, not that situation, but similar. "Being in the public eye and feeling the need to explain your sexuality which I don't think anyone needs to at all. JoJo is so young, she's growing and learning like we all are. Life changes. "One of the best things about being an adult is that you can change your mind at any time. JoJo, I think she's always been open about the fact she's queer and that's how she refers to herself. She loves whoever she loves and it's not necessarily about gender. Although I don't put a label on myself, it kind of is how I feel." However, Christine - who recently opened up about her own sexuality - acknowledged that some fans might feel "let down" by JoJo's decision to date a man, given her status as an LGBTQIA+ advocate. She expressed: "Because she's been out there so much as an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, I think some of them feel let down that she's now." Christine also expressed frustration over the scrutiny of JoJo's personal life due to her fame. She elaborated: "I just think, it's not anybody's business. It's called private life for a reason. People think you're in the public eye and we're entitled to know what you're up to. I've had it the last couple of years and it's not nice. "Sexuality has been a big part of it and it shouldn't be. Too people have met and they're really happy and they're exploring whether it's a friendship or a relationship." JoJo recently emphasised her stance on privacy within her personal life, saying, "I don't need to explain myself" when discussing her relationship with Chris. Speaking to E! News, she expressed, "I don't need to explain myself because I feel so in the right position. "I feel so content with my happiness, and I feel so relaxed and at ease with where I'm at. I feel so happy and peaceful that the love I feel is so real and so in front of me."
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Christine McGuinness opens up on her sexuality as she talks about JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes' relationship
In a recent interview, JoJo opened up on her relationship with Chris CHRIS & TELL Christine McGuinness opens up on her sexuality as she talks about JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes' relationship Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHRISTINE McGuinness has opened up on her sexuality, while talking about JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes' relationship. The star recently revealed how she has dated girls since she was a teenager. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Christine McGuinness has opened up on her sexuality, while talking about JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes' relationship Credit: Splash 5 JoJo and Chris confirmed their romance recently Credit: Instagram / itsjojosiwa 5 Christine said: 'Let them live. I've sort of gone through, not that situation, but similar" Credit: Instagram / itsjojosiwa And Christine, 37, who was married to TV presenter Paddy McGuinness for 11 years, also stated that her "sexuality is not a secret". Now, the mum-of-three has backed US and Big Brother star JoJo Siwa, saying she shouldn't have to 'explain' her sexuality. The Dance Moms star, 22, recently confirmed that she's in a relationship with Big Brother co-star Chris Hughes. And after revealing she was no longer a lesbian in the CBB compound during the show's live stream she said she now wants to identify as queer. Christine said: 'Let them live. I've sort of gone through, not that situation, but similar. 'Being in the public eye and feeling the need to explain your sexuality which I don't think anyone needs to at all. JoJo is so young, she's growing and learning like we all are. Life changes.' Christine continued to tell the Situationship podcast : 'One of the best things about being an adult is that you can change your mind at any time. JoJo, I think she's always been open about the fact she's queer and that's how she refers to herself. 'She loves whoever she loves and it's not necessarily about gender. Although I don't put a label on myself, it kind of is how I feel. ''Because she's been out there so much as an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, I think some of them feel let down that she's now… JoJo Siwa says she'll NEVER break up with Chris Hughes saying their relationship is 'earthquake proof' 'I just think, it's not anybody's business. It's called private life for a reason. People think you're in the public eye and we're entitled to know what you're up to. I've had it the last couple of years and it's not nice.' The star ended by saying: 'Sexuality has been a big part of it and it shouldn't be. Two people have met and they're really happy and they're exploring whether it's a friendship or a relationship.' During a private chat in the bedroom on Big Brother, JoJo confessed: "I feel so queer," as co-star Danny Beard then responded: "I'm queer!" And in a recent interview, she told how the phrase "encompasses how I am, and who I am". JoJo Siwa and Kath Ebbs' relationship We look back at JoJo Siwa's romance with Kath Ebbs: JoJo Siwa went public with hers and Kath Ebbs' relationship in January 2025. The Dance Moms star had been introduced to 27-year-old Australian content creator Kath by a mutual friend called G-Flip six months earlier. JoJo had split with her girlfriend Dakayla Wilson in November 2024 and it is believed she hooked up romantically with Kath soon after. Speaking in March at the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, JoJo said of her relationship: 'I am so happy. I am in a very mature relationship, and it's beautiful. It's taught me so much about life. 'It's taught me so much about love and respect, and it's a beautiful thing. 'It's different in more ways than I can count. I wouldn't even know what to say the biggest is 'cause just everything is so different and special.' Kath even claimed they had talked about marriage together. However, JoJo's romance with Kath abruptly hit the skids on April 25, 2025, at the Celebrity Big Brother wrap party. JoJo dumped Kath at the bash after spending 19 days in the CBB house - where she had grown close to Love Island star Chris Hughes. She added: "I do live this very, very big public life that has so many eyeballs on it, and it can get really hard to navigate. "But I'm also living a human life. You can't help who you love." The term queer is defined by LGBTQ charity Stonewall as "a term used by those wanting to reject specific labels of sexual orientation and/or gender identity". 5 Christine recently revealed how she has dated girls since she was a teenager Credit: BBC
