It’s a little Disney-era Miley Cyrus and a little “Sesame Street.”
But the truth is that no one really looks like former kid star JoJo Siwa at 17, with her hairy vows overhead, her high-waisted side ponytail signature, her raspy big voice and her videos healthy, bright music with a rainbow, one with over 930 million views.
The childminder or summer camp counselor of 7-year-old baby dreams is the big girl little girls want to grow up to be.
And now she’s something else too: a role model for LGBTQ youth.
In a few steps that typically started last week, Siwa announced to her 31.6 million TikTok followers and her 10.3 million Instagram followers that she has a romantic interest in girls as well as boys.
She first took to TikTok and danced to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” which was widely seen as an LGBTQ hymn. Then on Friday she posted a picture on Twitter with the caption “My cousin gave me a new shirt. ”The shirt says“ Best. Gay. Cousin. Never. Finally, on Instagram Live on Saturday, Siwa confirmed that she is part of the LGBTQ community, thanked her fans for their support and said she was the happiest she has ever been.
She refused to put a special label on his sexual instructions, but in what appeared to be a response to a fan question, she explained.
“I always believed that my husband was just going to be my husband,” she said. “If that guy happened to be a boy – great! If that guy happened to be a girl – great! ”
Their comments on social media were largely optimistic, with celebrities and everyday people saying that this was a great time, partly because of Siwa ‘s mainstream appeal, and partly because of its size and age. fan base.
One of the topics among LGBTQ people and all their friends was a surprising surprise.
Celebrities Ellen DeGeneres and Paris Hilton celebrated their support, while members of the gay community and their friends welcomed Siwa with open arms.
On Instagram, some parents were upset with the news, with at least one saying she would no longer allow her daughter Siwa to be seen, whose YouTube channel attracts 12 million people.
But other parents responded happily, including one who wrote, “This is GREAT, and such a deep statement for so many kiddos out there !! Our daughter loves you, and I ran into her room last night when I heard, and my longest talk about you was coming out! What an amazing representation she gets not only from her Moms, but from her idol as well !! How awful is that ?! Love your heroism, love your commitment, and love your choice and your truth !! Thank you for being such an amazing example to so many! All the best, and welcome to the fam ”
Siwa, a veteran of the reality show “Dance Moms,” has at times drawn snide ideas for her child-friendly fashion choices: the big hair bows, the sequins and glitter, the bright aquas and shrill pinks. Some haters thought she should act her age.
But her remarkable consistency – she doesn’t seem to break a character – as well as her stand-out against miniature girls and her boundless commitment to healthy, G-rated sports have earned her respect from mainstream critics. , with Time Magazine naming one of its top 100. Influential people 2020.
Some observers suggested that Siwa may be coming out to mark the new stage of the career, in which she embodies a more mature image, perhaps between a difference on Miley Cyrus’ transition from a Disney lover to an unusual pop star.
Others just wanted to throw the social media equivalent of kisses, bouquets and love notes.
Copyright 2021 Tribune Content Group.