JoJo Siwa is opening up about the unexpected path that led her to Chris Hughes and changed how she views her own sexuality.
The singer, dancer and former Dance Moms star discussed her relationship with Hughes during a September 8 episode of the Wildmen podcast, hosted by Dylan Sprouse and Brendan Columbus. She explained that she never expected to develop romantic feelings for a man, making her connection with Hughes especially surprising.
Siwa and Hughes first became close while appearing together on Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2025. Their friendship eventually developed into a romantic relationship.
Now, more than a year after confirming their romance, Siwa is reflecting on what made Hughes different from the men she had known before.
JoJo Siwa Says Chris Hughes Changed Her Expectations
Siwa explained that she had previously struggled to imagine herself in a heterosexual relationship.
According to her comments on Wildmen, even attractive male friends had never sparked that kind of interest in her. Hughes, however, became an unexpected exception.
She initially viewed him simply as another friend. Over time, she realised that her feelings toward him were different.
That realisation surprised Siwa because it challenged something she had believed about herself for years.
The Dance Moms alum described Hughes as a particularly special person in her life. She also made clear that her attraction to him did not erase the experiences or feelings that shaped her identity before their relationship.
How JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes Met
Siwa and Hughes met while competing on Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2025.
Their friendship attracted attention during the series, particularly after Hughes supported Siwa during a difficult confrontation involving fellow housemate Mickey Rourke.
The experience appeared to strengthen their bond. After the show, however, both initially described their connection as platonic.
That eventually changed.
In a June 2025 interview with The Guardian, Siwa confirmed that her relationship with Hughes had moved beyond friendship. She described the development as a meaningful connection and said she was deeply in love with him.
JoJo Siwa Is Rethinking How She Describes Her Sexuality
Siwa’s relationship with Hughes has also led her to reconsider how she talks about her sexual identity.
Over the years, she has used different labels, including pansexual and lesbian. She has previously spoken about feeling pressure to define herself with a specific label.
During the Wildmen conversation, Siwa explained that she now feels more comfortable with broader language.
She described herself as queer or pansexual and emphasised that falling in love with Hughes became part of her continuing process of understanding herself.
That distinction is important. A person’s relationship status does not automatically determine their sexual identity.
For Siwa, her comments reflect a more fluid approach to identity rather than a rejection of her previous experiences.
Her Relationship With Hughes Was Unexpected
The romance was particularly surprising because Siwa had previously been vocal about not expecting to date men.
Her earlier relationships were primarily with women or non-binary partners, including Kylie Prew, Katie Mills, Avery Cyrus, Dakayla Wilson and Kath Ebbs.
Her relationship history has therefore been closely connected to the public conversation surrounding her sexuality.
However, Siwa’s comments suggest that her experience with Hughes did not fit the expectations she once had for herself.
Instead, she says the relationship made her reconsider what she believed was possible.
JoJo Siwa’s Dating History Before Chris Hughes
Siwa’s romantic life has received significant public attention since she became a household name as a teenager.
Mark Bontempo
Siwa publicly dated musician Mark Bontempo in 2020. The relationship ended later that year, with Siwa saying they had decided that remaining apart was best for both of them.
Kylie Prew
Siwa began dating Kylie Prew in 2021 after the two initially became friends. Their relationship included a breakup and later reconciliation before they ultimately went their separate ways.
Siwa later said Prew remained an important friend in her life.
Katie Mills
Siwa was linked to TikTok creator Katie Mills in 2022. Their relationship later ended amid public disagreements and social media exchanges.
Avery Cyrus
Siwa and YouTuber Avery Cyrus confirmed their relationship in 2022. Their romance was brief, ending later that year.
Dakayla Wilson
In 2024, Siwa publicly dated dancer Dakayla Wilson. Siwa described their relationship warmly at the time, but the couple announced their split after several months.
Kath Ebbs
Siwa confirmed her relationship with Australian content creator Kath Ebbs in January 2025. Their relationship ended after Siwa’s appearance on Celebrity Big Brother UK. The timing fuelled public speculation about Siwa’s growing closeness with Hughes.
Chris Hughes
Siwa’s relationship with Chris Hughes began after they met on Celebrity Big Brother UK.
Although they initially described their connection as friendship, Siwa later confirmed that their relationship had become romantic.
Their romance has continued to attract attention because of the unexpected way it fits into Siwa’s broader journey of self-discovery.
Why JoJo Siwa’s Story Has Sparked Conversation
Siwa’s comments have attracted attention beyond celebrity relationship news because they touch on a broader question about sexuality and personal identity.
People do not always experience attraction in predictable ways. Labels can also change as someone gains new experiences or develops a different understanding of themselves.
Siwa has previously discussed the pressure she felt to choose a particular label. Her latest comments suggest she is more comfortable allowing her identity to remain flexible.
Her relationship with Hughes therefore represents more than a change in her dating life. It has also encouraged her to talk publicly about how complicated personal identity can be.
JoJo Siwa Says She Never Expected This Relationship
What stands out most from Siwa’s latest comments is how unexpected the relationship was to her.
Before meeting Hughes, she did not believe a relationship with a man was something she would pursue.
Meeting him changed that assumption.
At the same time, Siwa has not suggested that her previous relationships or identity were somehow invalid. Instead, she appears to view her experience with Hughes as another part of a personal journey that continues to evolve.
That perspective is consistent with what she told The Guardian in 2025, when she said that “queer” best encompassed who she was while acknowledging that people can continue discovering themselves.
For now, Siwa appears happy with Hughes and comfortable discussing the unexpected turn her love life has taken.