The current season of Celebrity Big Brother UK has captured significant attention in the United States, largely due to the presence of JoJo Siwa, who stands out as the most recognizable contestant for American viewers. JoJo rose to prominence in 2014 through the reality show Dance Moms, and since then, her star power has only grown. Transitioning from a child and tween icon, she has amassed a youthful fanbase, distinguished by her vibrant costumes, upbeat demeanor, and family-friendly content.
In recent developments, JoJo Siwa’s career has taken unexpected turns. In 2021, she publicly identified as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, specifically as pansexual, which means she is attracted to individuals irrespective of gender identity. Currently, she is in a relationship with Kath Ebbs, who identifies as non-binary, beginning their partnership earlier this year.
JoJo became part of the cast for the 24th season of Celebrity Big Brother UK, which debuted in early April. While American fans face geographical restrictions to view the show—needing a VPN—disturbing moments involving JoJo have gone viral on social media platforms.
In addition to JoJo, the Celebrity Big Brother house includes notable figures such as actor Mickey Rourke, singer Chesney Hawkes, host Trisha Goddard, Love Island star Chris Hughes, and British reality television personality Ella Rae Wise.
Tension between JoJo Siwa and Mickey Rourke
Mickey Rourke’s Controversial Comments
Following this, Mickey humorously mentioned he was determined to last beyond four days in the house, curiously adding that if he succeeded, JoJo “won’t be gay anymore.”JoJo laughed, firmly asserting, “I can guarantee I will still be gay and in a very happy relationship.”Mickey then made a troubling remark about tying her up, prompting JoJo to challenge him with, “I dare you to try. You’ll be the one tied up.”
As tensions escalated, Mickey expressed to other house members his intention to vote JoJo out, to which JoJo responded it would be homophobic of him due to her sexual orientation. Mickey’s outbursts continued, creating discomfort among the other contestants. One particularly inflammatory comment was made when he said,
“I’m going to vote the lesbian out real quick.”
Ultimately, he used derogatory slang referencing a cigarette, further alienating himself from his housemates. Despite attempting to joke his way out of the situation, he clearly aimed to antagonize JoJo.
Initially, Chris Hughes tried to defend Mickey’s behavior, asserting, “He’s just from a different planet.”However, he later withdrew his support when recognizing the inappropriateness of Mickey’s comments on homophobia. JoJo expressed gratitude to Chris for standing up for her, especially as she became emotional over the encounter.Although Mickey later issued an apology that JoJo accepted, he was subsequently removed from the Big Brother house due to inappropriate conduct involving Ella and aggressive statements directed at Chris.
Rumors of Romance with Chris Hughes
JoJo Navigates Affectionate Attention
Amidst the unfolding drama, JoJo has also sparked rumors concerning a potential romance with fellow contestant Chris Hughes from Love Island. Their friendship appears to be blossoming, raising eyebrows about its nature.
Despite JoJo’s clear communication regarding her sexuality, Chris displayed signs of infatuation. For instance, in a recent TikTok clip, viewers witnessed the two engaging in hushed exchanges at night while JoJo shared a private message with him. Some fans speculate that Chris may be attempting to leverage their bond to extend his stay in the game.
In a lighter moment captured on the show, when JoJo offered Chris spaghetti for dinner, he jokingly replied that he would, “if it was like Lady and the Tramp.”He addressed JoJo affectionately as “darling”and offered to help with whatever she needed. An intimate moment was punctuated when Chris applied lip balm to JoJo while they lounged together, leading to playful banter between them:
“It’s my finger, don’t worry. Would I ever?”Chris asked.
“Yeah,”JoJo replied.
“Probably would actually, yeah,”Chris said.
“Sucks to be you,”JoJo responded.
Despite these affectionate interactions, JoJo maintains that her feelings remain platonic. She has consistently reminded Chris of her commitment to her relationship, signalling that her bond with him does not extend beyond friendship.
Additionally, the other male contestants appear to struggle with accepting JoJo’s sexual identity, which complicates dynamics within the house. The 11-year age difference—Chris being 32 while JoJo is only 21—adds further context to the perceptions surrounding their interactions.
Outrage Following the Cat Challenge
Boundary Pushing in a Challenge
A particularly controversial moment occurred during a recent challenge where JoJo and Chris embraced the premise with questionable appropriateness. Engaged in a task that required them to act as cats, the pair took it to an unsettling level by utilizing a large litter box as a toilet, shocking viewers and sparking widespread criticism.
In the now infamous segment, both contestants urinated in the litter box, mimicking the behavior of felines, which included covering the spots with their hands. Although both seemed to enjoy the prank, audiences were left appalled, expressing disdain at the sight of such behavior on a televised platform. Shortly thereafter, producers intervened, reminding the housemates that they could utilize standard human toilets instead. The backlash was swift, with many viewers condemning the actions and the network for permitting the airing of the incident.
The ongoing controversies surrounding JoJo in the Celebrity Big Brother UK house underscore her penchant for attracting drama, a characteristic that has become synonymous with her public persona. Given her history in reality television, it remains evident that her presence guarantees entertainment, and viewers should anticipate nothing less from her appearances on the show.
Sources: Celebrity Big Brother UK/TikTok, Celebrity Big Brother UK/TikTok, Celebrity Big Brother UK/TikTok