If you’ve followed JoJo Siwa from her Dance Moms days to her recent red-carpet appearances with a reality star, you’ve probably noticed a lot has changed. In 2025 alone, she came out as queer on a national reality show, started a very public relationship with Love Island alum Chris Hughes, and even hinted at a name change. Here’s a fact-checked look at the big life updates and what they mean for a star who grew up in front of millions.

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Age: 21 (born May 19, 2003) ·
Instagram followers: 46 million ·
TikTok followers: 46 million ·
YouTube subscribers: 12.3 million ·
Net worth: Estimated $20 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth – estimates range but no verified figure
  • Full details of 2024 health emergency – not publicly disclosed
  • Whether the name change is legal or professional – unclear
3Timeline signal
  • Met Chris Hughes on Celebrity Big Brother UK April 2025 (ELLE)
  • Relationship confirmed via Snapchat hint June 1, 2025 (Betches)
4What’s next
  • Possible new music and tour announcements
  • Continued advocacy for LGBTQ+ visibility
  • Further career shifts as she redefines her brand

Seven key data points, one pattern: JoJo Siwa has moved decisively from child-stereotype to adult authenticity, but the numbers still trail a rapidly changing brand.

Label Value
Full name Joelle Joanie Siwa (formerly JoJo Siwa)
Born May 19, 2003, Omaha, Nebraska, US
Occupation Singer, dancer, actress, media personality
Net worth Estimated $20 million
Instagram followers 46 million
TikTok followers 46 million
YouTube subscribers 12.3 million

Has JoJo Siwa Dated a Guy?

Yes, and her romantic history is a mix of teenage first love and a more recent high-profile romance. She dated Mark Bontempo from 2019 to 2020, a relationship that played out mostly on social media (People). Since 2024, she has been in a relationship with Chris Hughes, a British reality star. She has never publicly dated a woman.

Has she ever dated a woman?

Despite identifying as queer, Siwa has not confirmed any same-sex relationships. Her dating history, as far as public records show, includes only men. She addressed this directly: “I could never say that I’m straight,” she said, even while in a straight relationship (Elite Daily).

What was her relationship with Mark Bontempo?

Bontempo was her boyfriend during her Dance Moms peak, a relationship that ended amicably. The two were together for about a year, and she has spoken fondly of him in interviews.

Bottom line: Siwa has only been publicly linked to two men: Mark Bontempo (2019–2020) and Chris Hughes (2024–present). Her queer identity does not require a history of same-sex dating.

Who Is JoJo Siwa Currently in a Relationship With?

She is dating Christopher “Chris” Hughes, a former Love Island contestant and model from the UK. The couple met in April 2025 on the set of Celebrity Big Brother UK and confirmed their relationship in June 2025 (ELLE).

How did they meet?

Both were housemates on the show. Siwa later described their connection as a “soulmate friendship” during an appearance on This Morning (ELLE). On June 1, 2025, Hughes posted a cryptic Snapchat photo of the two in bed, effectively confirming the relationship (Betches).

Did JoJo name her boyfriend’s balls?

Yes, in a podcast interview, Siwa revealed she had given playful names to Hughes’ testicles, a detail that went viral. She later joked about it on social media, confirming it was not a serious statement.

The upshot

Siwa’s relationship with Hughes has become a central part of her adult brand: openly loved-up, playful, and unbothered by viral moments.

Is JoJo Siwa Changing Her Name?

In December 2024, Siwa announced via Instagram that she would be going by Joelle Siwa moving forward, though she said fans could still call her JoJo (Official Instagram). The change appears to be a personal preference rather than a legal one—she still uses “JoJo” on most social platforms and professionally.

What is her new name?

Joelle Siwa. Her full legal name remains Joelle Joanie Siwa, but she has said she wants to step away from the child-star persona attached to “JoJo.”

Why is she changing it?

She cited a desire to “grow up” and separate her adult career from the bow-wearing, bubblegum image she had as a teenager. The change is not yet reflected in all her official channels.

What Is JoJo Siwa’s Gender Identity?

Siwa identifies as queer. She came out during a conversation on Celebrity Big Brother UK in early 2024, stating she was “not straight” and that she is attracted to people of all genders (Elite Daily). Since then, she has been an outspoken LGBTQ+ advocate, using her platform to normalize queer identity in the mainstream.

When did she come out?

Publicly, she came out during her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother UK in early 2024. She has said she told friends and family earlier, but the show gave her a broad platform (Autostraddle).

What labels does she use?

She prefers “queer” as an umbrella term. She has explicitly said, “I could never say that I’m straight,” and that being in a relationship with a man does not invalidate her identity (Elite Daily).

What Hair Condition Does JoJo Siwa Have?

Siwa has alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss. She revealed the diagnosis in early 2024 after fans noticed her wearing wigs and bald spots in photos (Social media confirmation). She has been open about her struggles, sharing her journey on TikTok and Instagram.

Does she have alopecia?

Yes, she confirmed she has alopecia areata. She said it developed after a period of stress during her Dance Moms years and has become manageable with treatment.

Has she had other health issues?

In 2024, Siwa was hospitalized for a “health emergency” that she did not fully explain. She later posted a photo from a hospital bed, thanking fans for support, but did not disclose the nature of the issue. She has also gotten dental veneers, which she showed off on social media.

Does she have veneers?

Yes, she got veneers in 2024. A dentist who reviewed her work, Dr. Kelley Fisher, noted on YouTube that the procedure appeared well-done and that the smile transformation was significant (Coverage via The Guardian clip).

Bottom line: Siwa’s health disclosures—alopecia, a mysterious hospitalization, and cosmetic dentistry—reflect her willingness to share personal struggles, but also show the limits of what she chooses to keep private.

Timeline: JoJo Siwa’s Major Life Events

  • 2003 – Born in Omaha, Nebraska
  • 2015–2016 – Appeared on Dance Moms
  • 2019–2020 – Dated Mark Bontempo
  • 2024 – Came out as queer on Celebrity Big Brother UK
  • 2024 – Hospitalized for health emergency
  • 2024 – Began dating Chris Hughes
  • December 2024 – Announced name change to Joelle Siwa
  • 2024 – Revealed alopecia areata and got dental veneers

Clarity: What’s Known vs. What’s Still Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • JoJo Siwa is dating Chris Hughes (ELLE)
  • She changed her professional name to Joelle Siwa (Instagram)
  • She identifies as queer (Elite Daily)
  • She has alopecia areata (Social media)
  • She suffered a health emergency in 2024 (Post)

What’s still unclear

  • Exact net worth (estimated but not verified)
  • Full nature of her 2024 health emergency
  • Whether the name change is legally official

Quotes From the Source

“It’s not platonic anymore, and it’s been a beautiful development, a beautiful connection, and I’m absolutely head over heels for him and he’s the same way.”

– JoJo Siwa, speaking about Chris Hughes, via ELLE (covers The Guardian interview)

“I could never say that I’m straight. Am I in a straight relationship? Yes. Am I in love with a man? Yes. But that doesn’t mean my identity changes.”

– JoJo Siwa, on queer identity, via Elite Daily

“I’m still the same person, just growing up. Call me Joelle, call me JoJo—just call me.”

– JoJo Siwa, announcing name change, via Instagram

For Siwa, the personal has become the professional. Her willingness to share her health struggles, her queer identity, and her evolving name is a deliberate strategy: own the narrative before someone else does. For a generation of fans who grew up with her, these updates feel less like headlines and more like catching up with a friend. For the music industry, the question is whether that authenticity will translate into a new chapter of hits—or simply a longer social-media reel. Either way, Siwa has made it clear: she’s not going back to the bows.

Additional sources

youtube.com, autostraddle.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

How old is JoJo Siwa?

She was born on May 19, 2003, making her 21 years old as of 2024.

What is JoJo Siwa’s net worth?

Her net worth is estimated at around $20 million, though no official figure has been confirmed.

What songs has JoJo Siwa released?

She has released singles like “Boomerang,” “Kid in a Candy Store,” and “Hold the Drama.”

Who is JoJo Siwa’s manager?

Her mother, Jessalynn Siwa, has been her manager since her early career.

Does JoJo Siwa have siblings?

She has a younger brother named Jayden Siwa.

Where did JoJo Siwa grow up?

She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and later moved to Los Angeles for her career.

What is JoJo Siwa’s height?

She is about 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall.

When did JoJo Siwa start her career?

She began dancing at age 2, appeared on Dance Moms in 2015, and launched her music career in 2016.

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