By Olivia Espinoza
Many childhood stars like Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato came out as being a part of the LGBTQ+ community as their audience matured with them.
However, younger pop-stars no longer feel the need to wait for their audiences to grow up thanks to Jojo Siwa. The kid-friendly pop-star proved this by coming out to her young fans on Instagram in January.
Siwa, well-known for her energetic personality, bubbly hit songs, and sparkly bows refused to hold back on her sexuality any longer. Siwa took to Instagram, posting a picture of her in a t-shirt that read “Best Gay Cousin Ever,” later confirming her coming out post on Instagram Live.
“I think humans are really incredible people. Right now I am super duper happy and I want to share everything with the world, but I also want to keep things in my life private until they’re ready to be public,” Siwa said on her Instagram video.
The pop-star specified that she is not ready to share where she lies on the spectrum and continued the conversation on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to announce her relationship with her girlfriend.
“The most amazing, wonderful, perfect, most beautiful girlfriend in the whole world. It’s not something I’m ashamed of. I just haven’t shown the internet yet,” Siwa said on The Tonight Show.
After coming out, Siwa’s social media was flooded with support from numerous celebrities, friends, and parents of her young fans.
Siwa’s infamous dance coach, Abby Lee Miller from “Dance Moms,” also posted about the performer, sharing her support.
“I always knew the world would be a more colorful, positive, sparkly place with a kind, loving dazzling triple threat like you in it – a shining example for the kids out there to live their BEST lives each and every day,” Miller said on Instagram.
However, not all responses have been as positive as most would hope. Some parents do not approve of their children admiring a gay celebrity.
“My daughter will never watch you again,” said a disapproving mother in a comment on Siwa’s coming-out post.
Even so, Siwa has been commenting on the hate she has received with maturity, understanding that coming out to such an impressionable audience will come with some backlash.
“I think coming out has this stigma around it, that it’s a really really really scary thing. It’s not anymore. There’s so many accepting and loving people out there. Of course people are gonna say it’s not normal, but it’s your normal,” Siwa said on Instagram Live.
The 17-year old’s bold announcement of being a part of the LGBTQ+ community, having over 12 million subscribers on YouTube, 10 million Instagram followers, and major success with her 14 million dollar brand, will have a long-lasting impact on the younger generation that looks up to her.
Siwa has opened the door to have discussions about sexuality starting at a younger age. This is simply the beginning of normalizing the sexuality spectrum in younger communities.
The Plaid Press 