How ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ Shook JoJo Siwa — Only for Her To Find Love in the Fallout

Saying Celebrity Big Brother changed JoJo Siwa’s life is an understatement. She may only be 22, but she’s accomplished more than most people do in their lifetime. She first found fame when she starred in Lifetime’s reality TV series Dance Moms. She quickly expanded from a dancer to a mega-pop star, with a larger-than-life personality, and even larger bows. JoJo didn’t just dance and sing, she was a tween sensation, diving into social media, television, and even making her mark on the hair accessory business.

In 2021, JoJo came out as pansexual, paving the way for her to become an LGBTQ+ icon. She traded in the rainbows and bows for an edgier, more defiant look, rebelling against her child-star identity. Although she’s since dialed back the Kiss-inspired makeup, JoJo is still channeling her carefree spirit. Going into the Celebrity Big Brother house was something unlike anything she’d done before. Although she had a hunch that Big Brother was going to change her, she had no idea that the experience would transform her life as she knew it.

A Confrontation With Mickey Rourke Ignited JoJo Siwa’s Fire

On only the second day of production in the Celebrity Big Brother house, JoJo dealt with a confrontation that will forever be ingrained in her memory, and ultimately led to a life-changing shift. 72-year-old actor and former professional boxer Mickey Rourke was in the house alongside JoJo, but was quickly booted off the show after making inappropriate remarks. Mickey asked JoJo if she “like[d] boys or girls,” and then proceeded to tell her “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.” JoJo remained polite but firm in shutting him down, but he continued to campaign to “vote the lesbian out.”

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JoJo sat down with The Guardian to talk about how Mickey’s behavior impacted her, saying it affected her “even more than people know.” Watching it you could tell she was in shock and uncomfortable, elaborating that “As it was happening, I just froze.” However, she quickly retaliated against his outburst, adding that “Some rat doesn’t get to ruin this for me … It’s only day two.” Although Mickey apologized to JoJo on-screen after a warning from production, he allegedly continued the behavior in private conversations. JoJo explained that “He mentioned to me that he knew what he was doing, that he tried to get under my skin and wanted to offend me.” Although these comments offended her, she did not think that Mickey should’ve been removed sooner, saying that it was a teachable moment for him.

JoJo told The Guardian, “We got to have laughs with him [and] beautiful conversations about inclusion, and what you can and can’t say.” Mickey later left the show after what ITV called “further use of inappropriate language” and “unacceptable behavior” towards other contestants. When asked if she had experienced that kind of homophobia before, JoJo said, “Not to that level, and not in person like that. It was definitely a first – but I was lucky. I had a lot of support in that house.” Which brings us to the person in the house who supported her through it all.

Chris Hughes Was JoJo Siwa’s Silver Lining In The ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ House

Chris Hughes was JoJo’s right-hand man in the Celebrity Big Brother house. Chris is an ex-Love Islander who appeared on the third season of the UK version of the reality show. He stood up to Mickey, and comforted and supported her through the ordeal. The intensity and close-quarters of the Big Brother house seemed to fast-track the two to BFF’s, surprising both the housemates and audiences worldwide. Their chemistry was electric, but fans became quickly confused about the status of their relationship. Going into the house, JoJo was dating her partner, Australian actor Kath Ebbs. JoJo had identified as a lesbian. However, the Celebrity Big Brother experience ultimately led to the revelation that she was more “queer” than lesbian.

JoJo finished in third place, behind Coronation Street’s Jack P. Shepherd and drag queen Danny Beard. Quickly after wrapping production, she broke up with her partner Kath, which further ignited romance rumors with Chris. In their first interview together since wrapping filming, both insisted on their “platonic soulmate” connection. However, rumors continued to swirl, and the world continued to see the two had an undeniable romantic connection.

In a shocking development, JoJo revealed to The Guardian that their relationship has now reached new levels, saying “It’s not platonic any more, and it’s been a beautiful development, a beautiful connection, and I’m absolutely head over heels for him and he’s the same way.” It was the most unexpected yet expected romance. Nobody would’ve thought that JoJo, who had been openly lesbian for years, would now be in a relationship with a man, let alone an ex-Love Islander. However, if you watched Celebrity Big Brother, you know that romance was inevitable.

Celebrity Big Brother transformed JoJo Siwa’s life as she knew it. Who would’ve thought that a nasty homophobic confrontation with Mickey Rourke would lead to the blossoming of a beautiful friendship, and now, romance? JoJo is the happiest she’s ever been, telling The Guardian: “Ever since Big Brother, genuinely. Even my family is like, What happened in there?”