JoJo Siwa Reveals Pressure To Label Herself And Where She Stands Now

JoJo Siwa is finally setting the record straight on her own terms. The singer and former teen star revealed she felt pressured to call herself a lesbian after coming out, even though the label didn't fully reflect her identity.

In a candid new interview, Siwa explains how the expectations placed on her by herself and others led to confusion, frustration, and eventually, clarity.

Now, she proudly identifies as queer and says she has never felt more herself.

Siwa's sexuality has been a major topic of discussion following her stint on "Celebrity Big Brother."

Fans watched the 22-year-old establish a romantic relationship with fellow housemate Chris Hughes, despite previously coming out as a lesbian.

Amid all the drama surrounding her sexuality, Siwa has revealed she felt pressured to label herself a lesbian.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the Nickelodeon star 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."

Siwa explained that in a strange and unexpected way, the pressure appeared to come from within the LGBTQ community itself.

"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," she added.

Siwa first came out publicly as lesbian in 2021, sparking headlines and admiration. Speculations first began swirling when she posted a video of herself singing along to Lady Gaga's hit song "Born This Way."

At one point, she mouthed the lyrics, "No matter gay, straight, or bi, or lesbian, transgender life, I'm on the right track baby, I was born to survive."

Siwa's numerous fans suspected it was her way of coming out as a member of the LGBTQ community.

The dancer confirmed the speculations on January 22 of that year with a social media post.

Taking to X, Siwa shared a photo, revealing the gift her cousin got for her. In the picture, she wore a t-shirt that read, "Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever."

Over the next few years, JoJo Siwa remained openly gay, even dating actress Kath Ebbs.

However, she became the subject of backlash when she went on "CBB" and formed a close bond with Chris Hughes. The pair occasionally cuddled in bed and showed affectionate behaviour.

Amid the comments about the duo's flirty interactions, Siwa left the public shocked when she went back on her previous claim about being a lesbian.

During a chat with "RuPaul's Drag Race UK" star Danny Beard, Siwa revealed she was queer.

"I feel so queer. 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. 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," she said per the Daily Mail.

Jojo Siwa's change in sexuality left fans disappointed, considering it also contributed to the end of her relationship with Ebbs when she left the show.

Many tagged her sexuality as fake, but the reality TV star couldn't care less about the public's opinion.

In a candid response, Siwa described sexuality as a "spectrum" and "fluid." "People saying that my sexuality has been fake is actually crazy and a discredit to my life that I've had since I fell in love with my first girl," she added.

Siwa explained that speaking to Beard on the show made her realize that she didn't "want to be in a box" anymore.

"Queer is a beautiful umbrella term for the LGBTQIA community," Siwa explained. "I think that for me to be a woman and say I have a non-binary partner, but then also say I'm a lesbian is crazy," she told Us Weekly.

Since coming out as queer and breaking up with Ebbs, Siwa has owned her romance with Hughes.

During a chat with E! News, she opened up about her newly-found happiness with the reality TV star.

"I feel so in the right position for myself. I feel so content with my happiness," the young star explained. "I feel so relaxed and at ease with where I'm at. I feel so happy and peaceful that the love that I feel is so real. You can't really help who you fall in love with."

Siwa also noted that she never second-guessed her feelings for Hughes, adding, "I've never second guessed my happiness, I've never second guessed what I'm feeling. And I think that's the most beautiful thing. When I think about him, I'm full of pure joy. When I speak about him, I'm full of pure joy."