Born in Nebraska, JoJo Siwa is a pansexual American singer, dancer, actress, and media personality who rose to fame as a child star on the reality show Dance Moms. On the reality show, she appeared alongside her mother, Jessalynn Siwa, and has since amassed a devoted fanbase among young audiences.
She later signed with Nickelodeon in 2017, starred in television and film projects, and is known for her viral line of hair bows with Claire’s Accessories. As a singer, her hit tracks have included “Boomerang” — a song about online bullying — which amassed more than a billion views, and “I Can Make U Dance”. In 2020, she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.
In 2021, Siwa publicly came out as a member of the LGBT community at age 17 by posting a photograph of herself wearing a graphic T-shirt inscribed with: “Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever.”, for which she received an outpouring of support from young fans. In an Instagram Live shortly afterward, she thanked supporters and explained that she was not ready to define her sexuality with a specific label.
I have thought about this, but the reason I’m not going to say this answer is because I don’t really know this answer… I think humans are awesome.
Indeed, she has always been open about her attractions to multiple genders.
My whole life, I just liked people.
She explained, after a fan asked her when she knew she was part of the LGBT community, according to Vogue.
I always believed that my person was going to be my person and if that person happened to be a boy, great! And if that person happened to be a girl, great! I think in life, you know when you meet your person.
Yet, she later went on to identify as a lesbian, including dating non-binary influencer Kath Ebbs in early 2025. The relationship ended after she appeared on Season 24 of Celebrity Big Brother (UK). During the show, she spoke to fellow housemate Danny Beard about her sexuality.
I think I’ve always told myself I’m a lesbian…I think being here I realize, ‘Oh, I’m not a lesbian, I’m queer.’
Following the show, where she met and later coupled up with Love Islander Chris Hughes, she faced a major biphobic backlash — including from within the queer community, for being in a straight-presenting relationship.
Coming out dating a man, for me, ended up getting more scrutiny than coming out dating a girl.
Siwa shared on E!’s Hot Goss YouTube series. But, as she explained on SiriusXM’s Smith Sisters Live,
Just because I’m in a hetero relationship does not mean I’m straight… I mean, I am in love with a man. But my past doesn’t get to be discredited because of that.
She later opened up about her coming out experience as a teenager to the Daily Mail, and the pressure to identify one way or another. Siwa stated:
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 an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Siwa encouraged people not to feel pressured to define their sexuality with a label. She argued that there is no obligation to have everything figured out, emphasizing that sexuality can be fluid and that love often defies simple categorization. Rather than trying to fit into rigid definitions, she believes people should allow themselves the freedom to embrace genuine connections as they develop.
Siwa also stressed that no one else has the right to judge or dictate another person’s sexuality. She noted that for some people, their sexuality remains constant throughout their lives, while for others it may evolve over time. Ultimately, she said, what matters most is the authentic human connections people form and choosing to embrace love and happiness when they find it.
By speaking openly about fluidity, labels, and the pressures placed on queer people to fit neatly into boxes, Jojo Siwa has become an important voice for younger generations.
Her message is not that everyone must reject labels, but that people should have the freedom to define themselves on their own terms. From helping normalize conversations about sexual fluidity to challenging biphobic stereotypes, Siwa has encouraged countless young people to embrace who they are without fear of judgment.
Her openness has made her an influential advocate for authenticity, self-acceptance, and a broader understanding of pansexuality.