The whole world is celebrating Jojo Siwa
- Jan 25, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 1, 2021
The 17-year old Nickelodeon star is an established global phenomenon, but her popularity has skyrocketed in recent weeks. The announcement that she is part of the LGBTQ+ community has changed things for the next generation.
“I have never, ever, ever been this happy before.”
Jojo speaks candidly to her 40 million Instagram followers, celebrating her sexuality after a subtle video released on her TikTok account left fans questioning whether or not there was greater meaning behind it.
She sported a huge rainbow hair bow, a printed on-brand sweater, and perhaps the biggest smile to have ever graced the internet. The filter she had used flashed multicoloured lights, as she mouthed the lyrics to Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’.
The ultimate gay anthem.
A day after the video emerged, Jojo published a celebratory tweet, ending all speculation.
The children’s entertainer has prompted parents across the globe to have open dialogue with their children about what it means to be gay.
To put it simply, children have always loved, and will continue to love Jojo Siwa.
She dazzles with sparkle, rhinestones and colour, maybe even more so now. She’s vibrant, kind to her fans and her family-friendly content makes her vastly different from other teenage industry professionals. Whilst most 17-year olds attract an older audience demographic, Jojo dedicates her brand to young children, most of which want to grow up to be just like her.
Which makes her decision to share her sexuality even more profound. At the peak of her career, she’s teaching kids that it’s okay to be authentic, a huge risk as it has the capacity to upset conservative parents. Which sadly, has already happened.
The hate Jojo receives has always been handled with a certain level of maturity. In 2017, Jojo travelled across the Atlantic and appeared on daytime television show This Morning where she talked to Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes about online bullies.
“Why would you focus on the negative? Focus on the positive, you only live once. Be positive, be happy and don’t let the haters get their way.”
On that same UK visit, she was the youngest artist to ever perform solo at the O2 Arena, casually. Jojo always seems to bounce back better and stronger, she’s built an empire.
Walk into any toy store, Claire’s accessories or supermarket, and you’ll be greeted by rows of loud, sparkling Jojo merchandise. I’m sure most parents have experienced meltdown when they refuse to buy a Jojo Bow, ice cream tub, or even the latest addition to her slew of branded products, a motorised ride along Jojo Jeep.
Fisher-Price® Power Wheels® JoJo Siwa™ Jeep® Wrangler
But for Jojo and her mom Jessalynn, the road to Hollywood has been a bit of a bumpy ride. Their journey started on the dance competition scene and by the time she was 9, Jojo found herself a spot on the reality television show Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition.
Although Jojo’s age and technical dancing ability meant she didn’t quite make the final, her personality and extravagant hair bows struck a marketability chord with the production team, and three years later the Siwa’s were asked to be cast members on Abby Lee Miller’s sister show, Dance Moms, where she was spotted by Nickelodeon.
Siwa wasn’t the only Dance Moms cast member to be spotted while on the show. Celebrity Maddie Ziegler also found fame at the Abby Lee Dance Company, where she was scouted by Grammy winning artist, Sia.
The show was turbulent. Moms fighting, children screaming, and coach Abby Lee Miller’s teaching style was far from politically correct. Although most cast members refuse to acknowledge their time on reality TV, Jojo recognises that it’s where she got her start.
She even mentioned it when collaborating with gay makeup artist and influencer James Charles last year.
“I know that I would be nothing without Dance Moms. It’s where I started, it’s what got me my platform.”
James Charles was one of the first to openly support Jojo, as a fellow member of the gay community.
Jojo also keeps in contact with her former coach, Abby Lee Miller.
It seems that all the hate Jojo once received is dwindling. People are beginning to see her for who she really is, a smart businesswoman with a personal brand that attracts masses. Of course, TikTok has helped with this.
It leaves us all wondering, when she strips down the glitter, ditches the bows and takes down her famous side ponytail, does Jojo Siwa hold the power to become the next Disney Star turned pop queen, like Miley Cyrus?
Only time will tell.
But for now, Jojo continues to preach positivity to her audience, ending her ‘coming out’ Instagram video with a very clear message.
“I think a lot of people are afraid of being different, but that’s something we should never, ever be afraid of. That’s something we should be proud of and we should celebrate.”
Watch Jojo's full coming out video below:
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