JoJo Siwa is setting the record straight, with grace, honesty and a touch of shade.

The 22-year-old pop star, TV personality and LGBTQ+ icon recently addressed a viral video from Miley Cyrus that made a cheeky jab at her sexuality during a WorldPride celebration. While the “Dance Moms” alum has long been a devoted Miley fan, even she admits the joke landed more awkward than amusing.

A WorldPride Surprise Turns Sour

During the 2025 WorldPride Dreamland DC festivities on June 7, attendees were treated to a surprise video message from Cyrus. Standing in the doorway of a food closet, the “Flowers” singer cracked: “Oh my god. I haven’t been in there since the sixth grade. Enjoy coming out of the closet if this Pride is the time for you. It shouldn’t be a month, it should be a year. It should be infinite.”

But it was her closing quip that raised eyebrows: “I’m going back in the closet to get more pretzels… and to find JoJo Siwa and bring her back out.” The remark was widely seen as a nod to Siwa’s recent relationship with Love Island UK’s Chris Hughes, a notable shift after she previously identified as a lesbian.

@poppinmiley

she’s SO unserious 😭 #MileyCyrus #miley #jojosiwa #hannahmontana

♬ Easy Lover – Miley Cyrus

JoJo Breaks Her Silence

On June 12, Siwa posted a thoughtful Instagram response, blending vulnerability and maturity with a bit of side-eye. The post included childhood photos from her Miley-themed fifth birthday party and a heartfelt caption reflecting on how the moment made her feel.

“If you know me, you know that Miley is my day one,” she wrote. “Grew up beyond inspired by her from 2 years old on.”

After taking a few days to process the comment, Siwa admitted, “I don’t believe what Miley said at WorldPride was ill-intended. Honestly, I think it was meant to be a joke, but just not a very good one haha. Not what the world, or myself, needs to hear any day of the week.”

She added that she messaged Cyrus “light-heartedly” about the incident, and the pop star responded with a brief but kind reply: “All love. Always. ❤️❤️❤️.”

 

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Embracing Queer Identity, On Her Terms

Siwa used her platform to deliver a larger message about self-love and authenticity. “The most beautiful thing I’ve learned in the last 5 years is that love is a gorgeous rainbow,” she wrote. “Don’t question yourself, don’t second guess yourself, just love.”

This isn’t Siwa’s first time addressing how she labels, or doesn’t label, her sexuality. Since coming out in 2021 with a “Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever.” T-shirt, she’s shared that she’s still navigating identity on her own terms.

“I still don’t know what I am,” she told People in a previous interview. “I always just say gay because it kind of covers it… but I think the keyword is queer. I like queer.”

Most recently, while appearing on Celebrity Big Brother UK, Siwa opened up to RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard about identifying more with the “Q” than the “L.”

“I’m switching letters! I’ve dropped the L and gone to the Q, baby,” she joked. “That’s what I love about sexuality.”

Social Media Weighs In

As expected, the internet had thoughts, lots of them. Some fans were quick to defend Miley’s humor as playful and light-hearted, while others criticized the joke as tone-deaf and unnecessary.

“It’s really strange how some bi women can be biphobic lol,” one fan wrote on X.

Others defended Siwa noting her age and exploration as a queer person. “Maybe one day yall will realize you have been bullying Jojo Siwa since she was little. She has been growing up and making mistakes in front of the entire world. Stop acting like yall perfect. She’s only 22, some empathy and understanding would be nice,” said another.

Queer creators also chimed in, many expressing how important it is to respect how fluid and personal identity can be, even for celebrities.

Love, Laughter, and Lessons

In the end, Siwa’s message was about more than just a misplaced joke. It was a reminder that Pride isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress, personal truth, and giving people the space to evolve.

“People judge no matter what,” Siwa concluded. “But if you feel happy and content with yourself, that’s most important. You get one life, hold onto it, make it yours, find your happy, and love.”