JoJo Siwa’s Holiday Romance: Bold Love, Queer Joy, and Dancing Through Criticism

There’s something about the holidays that makes new love feel cinematic, and JoJo Siwa’s latest Instagram carousel is a masterclass in queer joy—filtered through the lens of pop stardom, reality TV, and unapologetic self-expression. The 22-year-old multi-hyphenate, who first danced her way into our hearts as a "Dance Moms" prodigy, is now twirling into a new era: going public with boyfriend Chris Hughes, a fellow reality star best known for "Love Island"" and "Celebrity Big Brother UK" .

While some fans are still catching their breath, Siwa’s message is clear: “In the last week I’ve realised more than ever that I’m a lucky girl who is in love with the one who I laugh the loudest with, have the most fun with, and enjoy time the most with…Chris, thank you for this beautiful week, and for every day since we’ve met, continuing to make me smile through even the hard moments. I love you beyond” .

JoJo and Chris’s romance didn’t bloom in a vacuum. Their love story began on the highly-watched season 24 of "Celebrity Big Brother UK" earlier this year, where flirty energy, late-night conversations, and a touch of British drama made their chemistry impossible to ignore . For weeks, fans speculated about their relationship status, parsing every knowing glance and social media “soft launch” for clues. When June rolled around, Siwa confirmed what everyone was whispering: “Our bond isn’t platonic anymore,” she told "The Guardian". “I’m absolutely head over heels for Chris, and our connection is deeply genuine” .

Their public debut at the Dancers Against Cancer Gala in Beverly Hills was peak queer romance: Siwa, radiant as she accepted the Humanitarian Award, and Hughes, offering comfort and a tissue during an emotional moment. The night was capped off with a cozy hug, proving that even under the hottest lights, authenticity wins .

Siwa’s relationship with Hughes—a man—hasn’t been without controversy. Some LGBTQ+ fans expressed disappointment, fearing her new romance undermines her queer visibility. Siwa, who previously dated non-binary partner Kath Ebbs, is no stranger to public scrutiny or the complicated politics of queer identity .

On the subject of criticism, Siwa told CNN: “I don’t know if they’re going to be kind or if they are going to be ruthless” . For a generation raised on rainbow capitalism and TikTok coming-outs, Siwa’s navigation of attraction, labels, and public expectation is both deeply relatable and uniquely high-stakes.

Notably, during her "Celebrity Big Brother" run, Siwa shifted her self-description: “I no longer identified as gay, but rather queer,” she said, embracing a more expansive, fluid identity . This language matters. “Queer” resists the binary and invites a spectrum, and Siwa’s willingness to claim space in that spectrum has made her both a lightning rod and a lodestar for young LGBTQ+ fans.

Of course, the path to Siwa and Hughes’s romance wasn’t without bumps. Siwa’s split from Kath Ebbs—her non-binary ex—played out with all the drama fans have come to expect from reality TV. According to Ebbs, the breakup happened at an after-party after the "Celebrity Big Brother" finale, with Ebbs sharing on Instagram that they were “dumped at the party” and told there were “confused feelings” . Ebbs later reflected, “It seems to me I have experienced a version of . Being told I’m the love of someone’s life, being asked to marry them before this social experiment” .

Siwa, for her part, addressed the breakup candidly on "This Morning", recounting: “Initially, I was told that the wrap party was something they didn’t want to attend…they straight up asked me if I was happy and I said, ‘No’” .

The messiness isn’t a bug; it’s a feature. Queer relationships, like all relationships, are complicated, especially under the gaze of millions. What stands out is Siwa’s willingness to live—and love—publicly, modeling for young fans the reality that heartbreak and healing are both part of the queer experience.

What’s next for Siwa and Hughes? If you ask Hughes’ father, the answer might be wedding bells. “It wouldn’t surprise us if they got married before Christmas,” he told the "Daily Mail" in September, after just four months of dating . The couple’s 10-year age gap (Siwa is 22, Hughes is 32) hasn’t fazed either family, and their social media feeds are now a highlight reel of rain-soaked beach walks, poolside cuddles, and goofy, sun-drenched selfies .

For Siwa, love isn’t just a personal milestone—it’s a public act of queer resilience. Her willingness to define her own labels, live with vulnerability, and invite fans along for the ride is a reminder that queer joy is radical, especially when it’s shared.

So here’s to JoJo and Chris—dancing through the rain, loving out loud, and reminding us that in the spotlight or the quiet moments, queer love is always worth celebrating.