JoJo Siwa Faces Criticism for Saying She Felt Forced to Describe Herself as a Lesbian

JoJo Siwa recently opened up about her evolving identity and relationship with reality TV star Chris Hughes.

In a recent interview, the dancer disclosed that she had felt compelled to categorize herself as a lesbian following her coming out, but she now identifies as queer, embracing the idea of sexuality as fluid.

While many agree with JoJo Siwa’s recent statements, she has also faced criticism from some fans for indicating that the pressure she experienced originated from within the LGBTQ community.

Speaking with YOU Magazine via the Daily Mail, Siwa openly discussed her ongoing exploration of her identity and the intricate feelings she grappled with following her public announcement of her sexuality.

The former “Dance Moms” star shared: “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.”

She revealed that the pressure didn’t necessarily come from society at large, but from an unexpected place.

“In a weird way, it came from inside the [LGBTQ] community — from people I know, from partners I’ve had,” she said.

Siwa emphasized that sexuality isn’t something fixed, adding: “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.”

Siwa’s comments about her sexuality quickly went viral, sparking varying reactions from fans online.

A person called out the singer for saying she felt “pressured” to identify as lesbian at 17, claiming she is not taking “accountability” for her decisions.

The fan wrote, “jojo doesn’t take accountability for anything like even at seventeen years of age surely at that age she would be able to stand up for herself like at that age she is near enough an adult if jojo knew she was pansexual she made the decision to be lesbian for a reason.”

However, another person countered the accusation in defense of Siwa, saying: “17 is actually young asf by the way! a lot of people don’t find themselves until much later in life – some people have entire marriages and children and grandchildren, only to realise they’re homosexual. Being an adult doesn’t mean you automatically know everything.”

A third fan called out Siwa, writing: “OK, but you leaned on your sexuality hard to the point of making that your personality. If you were unsure, you shouldn’t have made that choice so soon.”

Someone else then chimed in, “Identity evolves, no one has it all figured out right away.”

Earlier this year, while appearing on “Celebrity Big Brother” where she also met Hughes, Siwa addressed the topic of her sexual identity during a candid moment with fellow housemate Danny Beard, a “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” alum.

“I feel, like, so queer, do you know what I mean?” Siwa told Beard, per The Blast.

She went on to share that being in the house had given her clarity: “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.”

Joking about how fluid sexuality can be, the 22-year-old added, “I’m switching letters. I’ve dropped the L and I’ve gone to the Q, baby! That’s what I love about sexuality.”

Beard, 33, playfully responded, “You are Q, honey. And you know that British people love a queue!”

After wrapping up her time on “Celebrity Big Brother,” Siwa and her then-partner Kath Ebbs, who identifies as non-binary, decided to go their separate ways.

Shortly after, Siwa sparked speculation about a serious romantic relationship when she and Hughes, 32, shared photos from a sunny getaway in Mexico. Among the snaps was a cozy photo of the two cuddling and kissing.

On June 2, Siwa confirmed the romance in an interview with The Guardian, revealing that their connection had taken a romantic turn.

“It’s not platonic anymore,” she said. “It’s been a beautiful development, a beautiful connection, and I’m absolutely head over heels for him, and he’s the same way.”

Addressing speculation that their relationship might be a publicity move, Siwa shut down the chatter.

“Anyone calling this a PR stunt is just exposing their own ignorance,” she 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.”