Anyone who has a young daughter likely knows who YouTube sensation JoJo Siwa is. For many, it came as quite a surprise when the eccentric and LOUD 17-year-old Dance Moms alum came out as a member of the LGBTQ community in January 2021. Not only that, but just a few weeks later, she revealed to The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon that she has the "perfect girlfriend."
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"'How long have you been a part of the community? How long have you been whatever you are? I don't know,'" JoJo said she was asked in an Instagram live. "I think my whole life, because my whole life I have really really been just—I like people. But I never had fallen in love before, but I always believed my person was going to be my person. If that person happened to be a boy, then great. If that person happened to be a girl, great," she said. Here's what you need to know about your kiddo's favorite YouTuber.
This is what JoJo told Jimmy Fallon.
JoJo who has 32 million followers on TikTok and over 12 million subscribers on YouTube, appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy on February 3, 2021, and said "I do have the most amazing, wonderful, perfect, most beautiful girlfriend in the whole world. It's not something I'm ashamed of, I just haven't shown the internet yet."
JoJo came out in January 2021.
JoJo came out on social media at the end of January 2021, first posting a TikTok video of herself lip syncing Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" and then a few days later tweeting a photo of herself wearing a T-shirt with the words "Best Gay Cousin" printed on it.
JoJo's fans have been so supportive.
A few days after her subtle social media coming out, JoJo took to Instagram Live to express how thankful she is for all the support and love her fans showered her with. "I am really, really … I'm really happy," JoJo gushed. "It's really been so, so, so amazing," she said. "There is so much love in the world."
She was on the reality series 'Dance Moms.'
JoJo, who is known for wearing oversized hair bows and sparkly, brightly colored outfits, first came to fame in 2013 when she was on the reality series Dance Moms. From there, she and her mother launched a lucrative YouTube career propelled by JoJo's huge personality, and now that she's on TikTok and Instagram her star has been growing exponentially.
Her face is everywhere.
Not only does JoJo sing and dance, make tons of public appearances and create kid-friendly social media content, but she also sells branded merch and everything from JoJo Siwa hair bows and makeup to activity books and kits can be purchased at big box stores everywhere. She even has her own ice cream!
She babysat North Kardashian.
Kim Kardashian's daughter North West is apparently a huge JoJo fan and a couple years ago the megastar surprised her oldest child with a visit from JoJo. Not only that, but JoJo actually babysat North. And yes, the day involved lots of rainbow-colored clothes and hair extensions.
JoJo is already a multi-millionaire.
JoJo's net worth is currently estimated to be around $14 million—not too shabby for someone who isn't even of age yet. Who are we kidding?! She's worth far more than we are and has so many years of earning potential still ahead of her.
She doesn't want to label herself.
Even though JoJo has come out as LGBTQ, she hasn't specifically said she's a lesbian. "Somebody asked, 'What label are you?' You know, I have thought about this, and the reason why I'm not ready to answer is because I don't really know this answer," she said.
Her parents are supportive.
After coming out, JoJo has also said that her parents have known for a long time and that they've always been supportive. "My dad said, 'Hey man, love is universal.' My parents have known. My mom said that she's known for the last two years. She said, 'I just know with you.'..My family is awesome," she said on Instagram.
Her real name is Joelle.
JoJo goes by her nickname, which comes from a shortening of her first and middle names. Her full birth name is Joelle Joanie Siwa, hence the JoJo. She was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 19, 2003.
She has a children's book series.
Among the many things JoJo has with her name on them, is a children's book series. It's the "JoJo and Bow Bow" series, which chronicles the adventures of a babysitting JoJo and her dog Bow Bow.
She plays the piano.
JoJo's talents run the gamut. In addition to singing, acting, dancing, and creating content, she can also play the piano and has been learning to play the drums. Presumably her musical skills will help her music career along as she ventures out of the kiddie realm.
JoJo might become a movie star.
It was announced in summer 2020 that JoJo has been tapped to star in the upcoming film Bounce. Produced by Will Smith for Paramount Pictures, it's the film adaptation of the novel of the same name about a teenager who wants to trade her family for a new one.
She sang as a T. rex.
JoJo famously appeared on Fox's reality music competition The Masked Singer dressed as a giant T. rex. The show features costumed celebrities and a panel of judges that must guess who's hiding behind the costume.
She goes on tour frequently.
JoJo goes on tour regularly, so don't be surprised if your kids start begging for tickets one day. She tours worldwide and within the United States for extended periods of time and puts on massive, big-budget shows in her signature colorful style.
She's a member of the "Pride House."
JoJo told Jimmy Fallon that she is a part of a group of TikTok friends that refer to themselves as the "Pride House," which is a group of LGBTQ TikTok creators. At one point she wondered if participating in a video with them would inadvertently "out" her. She managed to come out on her own terms though.
