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Jojo Siwa’s Boyfriend Chris Hughes Reveals First Words He Ever Said to Her
JoJo Siwa doesn't eff around when it comes to criticism about her and boyfriend Chris Hughes' romance.
The "Boomerang" singer slammed speculation that she and the Love Island UK alum are involved in a "lavender relationship," a term used to describe a heterosexual arrangement meant to conceal the queer identity of one or both partners, because she's largely dated women in the past.
"I came out when I was 17, I had a wonderful relationship with a girl," JoJo said during the June 4 episode of E!'s Hot Goss with Eyal Booker and Lonnie Marts. "Coming out dating a man for me ended up getting more scrutiny than coming out dating a girl."
"A lot of people took it in a negative way for the fun of it," continued the 23-year-old, who has been dating Chris, 33, for a year after meeting on the set of Celebrity Big Brother UK. "People thought Chris and I's relationship was not real."
So, when she started hearing naysayers describe their relationship as "so lavender," JoJo had to get to the bottom of it.
"I had no clue what it meant before," she explained. "I Googled it and I was like, 'Oh, grow up!'"
In fact, JoJo pointed out that she's been very open about her sexuality, publicly identifying herself as queer.
"I hate that people think that love is controllable," JoJo said on Hot Goss. "Prior to Chris, I was never interested in men—still not interested in men as a whole. I'm interested in a man—singular, not plural."
One of the reasons why the "Karma" artist and Chris get along so well is because she considers herself to be "one of the bros," with their romance built on the foundation of friendship first.
Robin L Marshall/Getty Images
"I've had dudes as my friends my whole life," JoJo explained. "I bond better. I don't want to get my nails done and talk iced coffee orders with girls. I don't carry a purse, I carry a backpack. I don't wear women's pants, I wear men's pants."
She added of her first encounter with Chris, "I'll be very honest, I saw him and I was like, 'Yeah, we're going to be best friends.'"
And as the couple hit their first anniversary, JoJo believes she's found a "forever partner" in her boyfriend.
"Chris is such a wonderful partner," she raved. "We have the utmost trust for each other. We have the utmost respect for each other."
But JoJo is also celebrating the 10th anniversary of her iconic single "Boomerang," releasing a special five-track EP on May 29 in honor of the song. For a closer look at JoJo through the years, read on...
September 2013
JoJo Siwa made her reality TV debut at age 9 while competing on the second season of Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition, judged by Abby Lee Miller.
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
May 2015
JoJo celebrated the launch of Abby Lee Dance Company LA's VIP Grand Opening.
David Livingston/Getty Images
May 2015
She rocked a glam jumpsuit at the 3rd Annual Reality TV Awards.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
March 2017
JoJo accepted the award for Favorite Viral Music Artist at Nickelodeon's 2017 Kids' Choice Awards.
Rachel Murray/Getty Images
March 2018
She proved the sun never sets on a badass with her shades at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
July 2018
Batter up: JoJo donned a classic baseball outfit at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Sports.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
August 2018
She showed off her signature style at the 2018 Teen Choice Awards.
March 2019
Even Kim Kardashian and North West keep up with the teen idol.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
April 2019
JoJo's star-studded Sweet 16 included a special visit from the Kardashian-Jenner family, with North and Penelope Disick fan-girling over the birthday girl.
Ralph Arvesen/Shutterstock
September 2019
JoJo belted her heart out while on tour.
November 2019
JoJo spent her Thanksgiving giving back.
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
February 2020
The Dance Moms alum was all smiles at the Lakers game.
March 2020
It was a party in the U.S.A when JoJo and Miley Cyrus hung out.
Scott Kirkland/Shutterstock; Michael Becker/FOX
March 2020
Who's under that T-Rex? JoJo showed off her singing chops on The Masked Singer.
January 2021
JoJo came out on Instagram in 2020, wearing a shirt reading, "Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever."
June 2021
Later that year, she and then-girlfriend Kylie Prew celebrated Pride together.
Leon Bennett/Getty Images
September 2021
JoJo performed onstage during a screening for her Paramount+ original movie The J Team.
Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images
October 2021
Making history as the first same-sex Dancing With the Stars pair, JoJo competed with partner Jenna Johnson on season 30 of the reality competition series.
Instagram / JoJo Siwa
April 2022
She said bye, bye, bye bye to her signature ponytail.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Kershaw's Challenge
July 2023
JoJo got inked during an outing with outing with Raven-Symoné and wife Miranda Pearman-Maday. For her first tattoo, she got the number 1031 behind her right ear in reference to her 2019 to 2022 D.R.E.A.M. The Tour concert series.
Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for GLAAD
March 2024
The singer teased her next project might not be suitable for all ages.
"The following content is not made for children," she shared in a series of cryptic Instagram posts, "and may be disturbing or offensive to some viewers."
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
April 2024
JoJo debuted her more mature look at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards, rocking dark makeup and an edgy costume from her "Karma" music video.
Chelsea Guglielmino/WireImage
June 2024
After turning 21, JoJo took a swig from a tequila bottle while performing at a Pride Month concert. Why?
"I was like, ‘I want to f--king take a shot before this,'" she explained on her JoJo Siwa Now podcast. "And my grandma was like, ‘All right, JoJo. You should do it.’ I was like, ‘All right, let’s do it!’”
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
March 2025
The former child star literally turned heads—including her own—when she stepped out at the iHeartRadio Music Awards with a towering headpiece made by her mom.
"I had this vision, and I found this online," she told E! News of the unconventional accessory. "I told everyone on my team what I wanted, every piece to the puzzle.”
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