contestant JoJo Siwa recently visited The Ellen Degeneres Show and spoke to the host about what it's like to be called a gay icon. The former Dance Moms star came out via social media in January 2021. She received a lot of praise for having the bravery to express her true self in a world that isn't always so accepting of people who are different, notably from many celebrities, like Elton John, who told the star that she was able to do something at seventeen that it took people of his generation decades to do.
Earlier this year, JoJo also expressed how important it was to come out and be herself when she told Jimmy Fallon that if she were to lose everything she had because of who she loved, then she didn't want any of it to begin with. The Nickelodeon star was publicly dating Kylie Prew, but the couple broke up recently and remain friends. Then, JoJo made history on season 30 of Dancing With The Stars as the only same-sex dance couple to ever compete on the show. So far, she and partner Jenna Johnson are doing great, and fans are loving watching them perform each week.
JoJo appeared on a recent episode of The Ellen Degeneres Show, and the talk show host asked her how she feels about being labeled a "gay icon." Ellen congratulated the young star, calling her a "brave person" and reminding her what a difference she has made for young people. When asked about the label, JoJo said that it's "wild" to be put in the same category as people like Ellen Degeneres, Lady Gaga, and Freddy Mercury. However, the star embraces the label, she added, "to be in that category at 18 is just insane, and it's just because of who I am; it feels amazing."
Ellen continued to praise JoJo, saying though it's become easier to come out in society, it's still a big deal for someone in the entertainment industry to say, "I don't care if there's going to be repercussions, I don't care what this is, this is who I am and this is what I stand for." They then spoke briefly about the singer's tour, which JoJo compares to a mashup of Kidz Bop and pride fest. Ellen then asked the DWTS contestant about dancing with a same-sex partner. JoJo explained that it was her decision, not the show's, to dance with a female partner. JoJo explained when she found out that dancing with a same-sex partner was an option, without hesitation, she thought to herself, "this is what's right for me."
It's great to see such a young star embracing her gay icon status and not being ashamed to be herself. In a world with a never-ending list of rules on who people are supposed to be, it's refreshing to know that young generations have role models who inspire them to tear up the rule lists and be the person they want to be. Though she's just 18 years old, JoJo is making the kind of impact on young people that Elton John and Ellen Degeneres were when they first came out years before the DWTS competitor was born. It looks like future generations will be in good hands with role models like JoJo and all others who follow in her footsteps.
Dancing With The Stars airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
Source: The Ellen Degeneres Show