JoJo Siwa Reflects on Feeling Pressured by LGBTQ+ Community to Label Herself as Lesbian

JoJo Siwa, widely recognized for her vibrant persona and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth, has candidly reflected on her early experiences of coming out, revealing a complex relationship with labels and community expectations. In a new interview published by YOU Magazine, Siwa spoke about feeling an unexpected form of pressure from within the LGBTQ+ community to define her sexuality in a certain way when she first came out publicly at 17 years old.

Initially, Siwa identified as pansexual, expressing that gender was not a determining factor in her attraction to others. “When I came out at 17, I said: ‘I’m pansexual, because I don’t care [about gender],’” Siwa explained. However, she later described feeling boxed in by expectations—particularly from people within the LGBTQ+ community—leading her to publicly adopt the label of lesbian.

“I think I did that because of pressure,” Siwa told YOU Magazine. She further clarified, “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”. The pop star noted that the pressure to choose a specific label came “in a weird way” from both individuals she knew personally and from broader community dynamics.

Siwa’s revelation comes at a time when conversations about the fluid nature of sexuality and the importance of self-determination in identity are increasingly prominent. During her appearance on ITV’s Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year, Siwa publicly discussed her evolving understanding of her sexuality, announcing, “I’m switching letters. I’ve dropped the L and I’ve gone to the Q, baby! That’s what I love about sexuality”.

She now prefers to identify as queer, a term she feels better encompasses her experiences and attractions. “There’s a lot of different sexual identities. I think there’s nothing more beautiful than somebody discovering themselves,” Siwa said, adding that her journey is ongoing and deeply personal.

Siwa’s willingness to publicly discuss the pressures she faced—and her decision to embrace a more fluid identity—has resonated with many in the LGBTQ+ community, especially younger people navigating similar journeys. Advocates say her story highlights the importance of creating supportive environments that allow individuals to explore their identities without fear of judgment or coercion from any group, including community peers.

Siwa’s evolution also reflects broader cultural conversations about the diversity of sexual identities and the limitations of rigid labels. Mental health experts and LGBTQ+ leaders have emphasized that the journey of self-discovery is unique to everyone, and that pressure to conform to specific labels—even from within affirming communities—can be harmful.

Currently, Siwa is in a relationship with Chris Hughes, whom she met during their time on Celebrity Big Brother. She described their connection as a “beautiful development” and stated, “I’m absolutely head over heels for him and he’s the same way”.