Full Name | Joelle Joanie Siwa |
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Date of Birth | May 19, 2003 |
Age (as of 2025) | 21 years |
Nationality | American |
Profession | Dancer, Singer, Actress, Content Creator |
Breakthrough Moment | Dance Moms (2015–2016) |
Recent TV Appearance | Celebrity Big Brother UK (2025) |
Public Identity | Formerly identified as lesbian |
Recent Ex-Partner | Kath Ebbs (non-binary) |
Public Controversy | Breakup at Big Brother wrap party |
Rumored Connection | Chris Hughes (platonic relationship) |
Notable Song | “Karma” |
Reference Source | www.independent.co.uk |
With refreshing candor, Jojo Siwa has entered the whirlpool of public speculation, dispelling myths that surfaced following her split from partner Kath Ebbs. At the Celebrity Big Brother wrap party, the split took place in an emotionally charged situation, but Siwa explained that the story wasn’t nearly as flat as the headlines initially implied. The breakup was not caused by Chris Hughes, her obviously close ally from the show, despite what some internet rumors claim.
Siwa provided a very clear chronology of events by discussing the matter on The Viall Files podcast. She clarified that she felt overburdened and mentally exhausted following three demanding weeks in the Big Brother house. Following the show’s end, she had planned to spend some time by herself in the hopes of emotionally recalibrating. At the last minute, Ebbs decided to attend the wrap party even though they had originally refused. Jojo warned that it might not be their scene, but the two met in person, and the conversation quickly became heated, according to Siwa.
“Are you content with your relationship?” Ebbs asked again and again. “Want to call it quits?” It became impossible to avoid these kinds of questions. Siwa claims that her response was candid: “I’m not sure what I would say if you asked me tomorrow. I would say “yes” if you were to ask me now. It was a raw expression from someone caught in a storm of post-reality-show emotions rather than a tidy, staged breakup. In a since-deleted TikTok, Ebbs quickly reframed that intensely personal moment as a public betrayal that was allegedly committed with Hughes “in the next room.”
The reaction was quick and sharply divided. The Independent quoted Ebbs, who uses the pronouns they/them and identifies as non-binary, as saying it was “unfortunate” that their relationship was being reduced to rumors and biased stories. The breakup itself was not the only thing that hurt them; they also felt that their character was being attacked. They claimed that after flying all over the world to support Siwa, they were taken by surprise at an after-party where no one knew about the heartache that was taking place behind closed doors.
Conversely, Siwa stressed the importance of taking back her voice in the discussion. Ebbs had requested that she refrain from speaking in public, but her silence only caused misunderstanding and more criticism. “Chris and I are friends,” she explained on the podcast. We are very good friends. It’s not romantic, but it’s a very special bond that I haven’t formed before. Despite her firm words, social media continued to relentlessly analyze their relationship.
This is not the first instance of celebrity friendships being misconstrued as romantic. Timothée Chalamet and Kid Cudi, Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King, and more recently, Billie Eilish and her creative partners, have all had to define the extent of their non-romantic intimacy. The circumstances in Siwa are remarkably similar. Society’s discomfort with emotional nuance is reflected in the constant need to define and label every dynamic, especially when it comes to young, queer celebrities.
Siwa’s moment of identity reflection while she was in the house added to the complexity of the conversation. She said, “I don’t think I’m a lesbian anymore,” which reverberated through fan communities with unexpected ferocity. Despite being honest, this statement exposed her to charges of queerbaiting, or exploiting her sexuality for commercial gain. However, these assertions ignore a fundamental reality: identity is malleable. Particularly for someone who publicly came out while still figuring herself out at a young age.
Siwa had developed into a remarkably successful spokesperson for Gen Z queer youth over the years. Many young fans felt seen because of her vibrant appearance, flamboyant bows, and unwavering candor. But expectations accompanied that visibility. The story changed from celebration to suspicion the instant she made a suggestion that she might reconsider who she was. This change highlights the pressure on public figures to continue serving as symbols of representation, frequently at the expense of their own development.
Ebbs’ own fan base, which is based on vulnerability, wellness, and self-love, rallied behind them in the meantime. “I was dumped at the afterparty, with Chris in the next room,” was their comment, and it went viral on YouTube and in headlines. Others saw it as the inevitable disintegration of a relationship under unusually intense scrutiny, while others saw it as a betrayal. Their words struck a chord because they encapsulated a stark reality: heartbreak isn’t always handled with dignity, particularly when you’re trying to process your feelings and preserve your reputation at the same time.
Siwa insisted throughout that her intention was one of honesty rather than cruelty. She mentioned how the party had left her emotionally spent and remarked, “I wasn’t in a place to talk.” Neither a private dinner nor a therapist’s office was the setting for the conversation. It was surrounded by castmates celebrating, music blaring, and flashing lights. In that bizarre environment, a relationship ended with fatigue rather than clarity.
Following an off-camera incident in which Mickey Rourke allegedly made homophobic remarks toward Jojo, her relationship with Hughes was brought to light. More than anything else on the show, Hughes reportedly “shook her up” by supporting Siwa during that incident. They developed a close bond because of their shared vulnerability, but again, it wasn’t romantic, even though fans thought they were close.
This story highlights a crucial problem in contemporary celebrity culture: the demand that relationships, identities, and feelings be completely developed and flawlessly expressed. However, the actual human experience isn’t tidy, particularly when it’s lived in the spotlight. Even at age 21, Siwa is still learning the ropes. Although the split from Ebbs may not have gone as planned, it did illustrate a new trend in which Gen Z celebrities are discovering their limits as they go.
Even though it complicates her public persona, Siwa’s choice to speak with vulnerability is both brave and necessary in a field where image frequently takes precedence over introspection. She might not yet know all the answers. Her decision to prioritize growth over guilt, truth over neatness, and clarity over comfort, however, is especially admirable.