JoJo Siwa Opens Up About Unaired Conversation With 'Bizarre' Mickey Rourke On 'Big Brother'
By Jacquez Printup on April 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM EDT

"Dance Moms" alum JoJo Siwa recently completed an explosive season of the UK's "Celebrity Big Brother."
She ended the competition in third place, losing to television personality Danny Beard and "Coronation Street" actor Jack P. Shepherd.
Although she left the series in good spirits, Siwa faced challenges at the beginning of the program, specifically with her co-star Mickey Rourke. During different conversations, Rourke made problematic statements about Siwa and her sexuality, which the latter deemed "homophobic."
While appearing on Nick Viall's podcast nearly a week after leaving the show, JoJo Siwa opened up about her experience with Rourke and called the actor "bizarre." She also reflected on another scene, in which the 72-year-old allegedly told her he made inappropriate comments toward her to get her riled up.
JoJo Siwa Claims Rourke Hurled Problematic Slurs Her Way To Get Her Riled Up

On "The Viall Files," Siwa spoke openly about her uncomfortable interactions with Rourke on "Celebrity Big Brother," and revealed there was more to the story that the audience didn't get to see.
“What really tipped me over the edge is he then said to me, ‘I knew what I was saying and that’s why I said it. I wanted to offend you. I knew it was going to offend you, and that’s why I wanted to do it. I like poking at a bear,’” Siwa said. “None of that made it [on the show].”
What Did Rourke Say To JoJo Siwa On 'CBB'?

As she continued, Siwa said Rourke's alleged admission "shook me up."
During their interactions on the show, Rourke made repeated comments about Siwa and her sexuality, which she and viewers described as "homophobic."
In one scene, the "Wrestler" actor told Siwa that she wouldn't "be gay anymore" if they both lasted longer than "four days" in the house together. During a conversation Rourke had with another houseguest, Chris Hughes, he told the "Love Island" alum he'd "vote the lesbian out real quick."
Later, he said that he needed a "f-g," a British slang term for a cigarette. However, he gestured toward Siwa when he said it, which "Big Brother" said was "offensive and unacceptable."
Rourke Apologized To JoJo Siwa, But Was Still Removed From The House
Mickey Rourke called out by JoJo Siwa for homophobic language aimed toward her in Celebrity Big Brother.
He later apologized to her for his “short fuse.”
pic.twitter.com/kJWNodFQOH— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) April 10, 2025
After receiving a warning from the "Big Brother" producers, Rourke apologized to Siwa and admitted he didn't have negative intentions.
However, after another display of inappropriate behavior during a heated exchange with Hughes, Rourke was removed from the house for everyone's safety and well-being.
"Mickey Rourke has agreed to leave the Celebrity Big Brother House this evening following a discussion with Big Brother regarding further use of inappropriate language and instances of unacceptable behavior," the show's producers said in a statement.
Rourke also acknowledged his shortcomings during his final confessional of the season, saying, "My bad. I got a short fuse, and I know I upset a lot of people out there. I'm sorry for that. I'm actually ashamed of myself. I went over the line; I did wrong. I guess I could say I'm a work in progress."
His team also reflected on his ousting, adding, “He is old school, direct, and honest. I have worked closely with him for nine years, and he is 100 percent authentically himself. There will never be another Mickey Rourke. Period."
Siwa Learned More About Herself While Filming

Siwa also made headlines while locked away in the BB house for her conversation with Beard, who appeared on a season of "RuPaul's Drag Race UK."
While speaking with Beard about her sexuality, Siwa admitted she felt she was evolving and no longer wanted to identify herself as a lesbian.
"I feel so queer," Siwa admitted. "I've never - I think I've always told myself, I'm a lesbian. I think you - I think being here - I've realized I am not a lesbian, I'm queer."
Siwa added, "And I think that's really cool, I'm switching letters! I've dropped the L and I've gone to the Q, baby! That's what I love about sexuality."
Her revelation came days after viewers and social media users began chatting about her cozy relationship with Hughes, which featured cuddles in bed and forehead kisses.
Siwa And Hughes Developed An Amazing Friendship
JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes urinate in a cat litter box on ‘Celebrity Big Brother UK.’ pic.twitter.com/0J11WiDf2t
— Pop Base (@PopBase) April 19, 2025
In his confessional, Hughes discussed his relationship with Siwa and said they were like "two peas in a pod."
"If she left the house ever and I'd be stuck in here that would genuinely be crushed," Hughes said. "I guess she's like my person in here. When you walk into a party you don't know anyone, there's someone you want to see in the room that makes you want to feel at ease."
He added, "It makes me feel happy it makes me feel comfortable and it allows me to be me, it really brings out me, I like me, I like being me and I'll always be me and it takes someone to get you. We're like two peas in a pod."