Why Do Fans Think JoJo Siwa Came Out on TikTok?
Dance Moms alum JoJo Siwa has emerged as a major social media influencer, especially among the younger set, since her first appearances on Lifetime. The 17-year-old – who’s known for her signature giant bows and sparkly, over-the-top style – boasts millions of followers on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, as well as hit singles and sold-out live concert tours.
One of Siwa’s Inauguration Day TikToks recently got fans talking. Here’s why many of Siwa’s followers think she came out as a member of the LGBTQ community on Jan. 20.
Siwa lip-synced to Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ on TikTok
On Inauguration Day 2021, Siwa shared a video of herself on TikTok that earned over 3 million views in a matter of hours.
In the clip – which was dripping with rainbows, from Siwa’s bow to her earrings, sweatshirt, and lighting setup – the YouTube star lip synced to Lady Gaga’s song “Born This Way,” which has long been an unofficial anthem for the LGBTQ community.
In addition to Siwa’s song choice and rainbow-covered outfit, fans couldn’t help but notice which lyrics she chose to highlight: “No matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgender life/I’m on the right track, baby/I was born to survive.”
On the same day, fans became even more convinced that this was part of a deliberate choice to come out as queer, bi, or gay on Siwa’s part. She danced alongside four young LGBT social media influencers (Kent Boyd, Garrett Clayton, Mollee Gray, and Jeka Jane) from Pride House LA in another TikTok.
The group performed choreography to Paramore’s song “Ain’t It Fun,” highlighting the lyric “now you’re one of us” – which many of Siwa’s followers believed was a way of welcoming her into the queer community.
Many fans thought Siwa was coming out as queer
Immediately, many of Siwa’s fans began to swarm the comments of her TikTok to congratulate her on what they believed was her coming-out announcement. Other influencers, from YouTube beauty guru James Charles to Nikkie de Jager (NikkieTutorials) and Colleen Ballinger, chimed in with supportive messages. Some followers noticed that even Siwa’s brother joined in to offer his congratulations.
Comments from fans were overwhelmingly supportive as well.
“Aww congrats love welcome home,” one commenter wrote on TikTok.
“The most iconic thing to happen on TikTok,” another fan gushed.
Some fans urged caution about assigning labels prematurely
While many fans immediately believed that Siwa had indeed come out, others weren’t so sure. After all, rainbows aren’t exactly out of Siwa’s usual clothing repertoire. What’s more, Lady Gaga performed the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Inauguration Day, so some followers wondered if Siwa was just offering her support to the performer and the rest of the LGBT community as a gesture of inclusion.
“What if she really was just vibing to the song and we all just took it the wrong way?” one commenter wondered.
“Why do I feel like everyone is jumping to conclusions?!” another TikToker wrote. “She could just be showing her support.”
Still others pointed out that, even if Siwa did come out, people shouldn’t jump to apply specific labels to her identity before she was ready to open up.
“Just a reminder not to give a specific label to JoJo until/if she decides to share one,” one of Siwa’s supporters advised.
While Siwa didn’t directly address the rumors right away, she didn’t deny them. In fact, the YouTuber shared an Instagram post the following day posing in another rainbow-patterned sweatshirt and bow, which some fans took as confirming the speculation. She also retweeted positive reactions to her Lady Gaga lip-sync TikTok.
Either way, it’s clear that Siwa has plenty of support from her fans if she ever decides to come out officially as part of the queer community.
