JoJo Siwa says relationship with Chris Hughes does not erase her past same-sex romances

JoJo Siwa says in a SiriusXM interview that her relationship with Chris Hughes does not make her straight, and that her past same-sex romances remain part of her identity. The 22-year-old dancer explained that love does not erase who she is or the experiences she has had with women and non-binary people.

Siwa, who previously came out as pansexual, fell for Love Island star Hughes while in the Celebrity Big Brother house in April, and their romance has since strengthened. She said she has faced an extreme amount of hate from within the LGBTQ+ community for dating a man, and argued that labeling herself based on her current relationship would erase years of experience and love. She stressed that being in a heterosexual relationship does not automatically change her identity, and that she remains an ally of the queer community.

She outlined her journey, noting that her first love was a woman who was her best friend, and that she has been in relationships with other women and with a non-binary person before meeting Hughes. She described the love she feels for him as something unlike any other relationship and said that she has never felt love like this. She added that the couple's bond feels destined and that Hughes has supported her identity from the outset.

In a separate chat on the Reign with Josh Smith podcast, Siwa recounted the brutal backlash she faced after dating Hughes, including scrutiny from older members of the community and from her own family. She urged listeners to recognize that love is love and that a person's past should not discredit their present happiness. She said the scrutiny could be difficult for younger fans who may be watching and learning from her example, and urged the LGBTQIA+ community to be mindful about the language used.

Siwa recalled that Hughes rushed to her defense in the Celebrity Big Brother house after Mickey Rourke directed homophobic comments at her. She said Hughes told her that he loved her for who she is and would not want her to change. She described that moment as a telling sign of his character and a factor in why the couple's relationship continued to grow.

Despite the backlash, Siwa said she is happy with Hughes and that the relationship has changed how she views her future. She spoke about wanting to build a life with him, including dreams of a proposal, walking her father down the aisle, and a first dance. She noted that she used to hesitate about weddings but now envisions a future in which she and Hughes are celebrated.

She also stressed that her feelings toward Hughes do not negate the love she has felt in the past and that the queer community's support remains important to her. Siwa emphasized that the overarching message is that love is love and that young people watching should feel free to explore their identities without fear of erasure.