Mickey Rourke has recently faced backlash for making homophobic remarks directed at fellow contestant Jojo Siwa during the ongoing season 24 of Celebrity Big Brother UK. This incident occurred in the April 3 episode, sparking significant controversy surrounding the actor’s comments about Siwa’s sexuality.
During a conversation, Rourke inquired whether Siwa was attracted to “girls or boys.”In response, the 21-year-old star clarified her attraction to women and noted that she has a non-binary partner named Kath Ebbs. However, Rourke’s follow-up comment cast a shadow over the discussion. He stated:
“If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.”
Siwa firmly rejected this assertion, confidently affirming her identity and assuring Rourke that she would remain in a happy relationship. Yet this was not the end of Rourke’s comments regarding her sexuality. Later in a private conversation with fellow housemate Chris Hughes, he was heard saying:
“I’m going to vote the lesbian out real quick.”
This remark was overheard by Siwa, who labeled it as “homophobic.”Following this exchange, Rourke further escalated the situation by using a homophobic slur while referring to a cigarette, a term that, while recognized as slang in the UK, drew immediate concern. This led to him receiving a formal warning from the show’s producers, who deemed his language “offensive and unacceptable.”
Apology from Mickey Rourke: “Just Talking Smack”
After receiving reprimands for his inappropriate language, Rourke took to the confessional to issue an apology. He recognized his error, stating:
“I apologize. I don’t have dishonorable intentions—I’m just talking smack, you know. I wasn’t taking it all so serious. I didn’t mean in it any bad intentions and if I did, sorry.”
Alongside this formal apology, the actor faced a potential eviction from the house if he continued to display similar behavior. Subsequently, Rourke also reached out directly to Siwa to express his regret. He said:
“I want to apologize. I’ve got a habit of having a short fuse. And I don’t mean nothing by it. I do mean it [sorry]. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t say it to you.”
Siwa accepted Rourke’s apology, expressing her appreciation for his effort to make amends. In light of these issues, an ITV spokesperson confirmed that all housemates on Celebrity Big Brother undergo “respect and inclusion training,”emphasizing the show’s commitment to fostering an environment of appropriate behavior and language.
Celebrity Big Brother UK continues to air on ITV, with new episodes released every Wednesday, providing audiences with gripping, unscripted entertainment.