JoJo Siwa: Paris Hilton, Lil Nas X and Ellen DeGeneres respond after YouTube star comes out as gay

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Washington Bureau Chief

A number of celebrities have sent messages of support to YouTube star JoJo Siwa after she came out as gay.  

The singer and dancer, 17, who rose to fame on the reality show Dance Moms, excited fans with a post earlier this week that appeared to allude to the fact.  

A TikTok video showed Siwa dancing to Lady Gaga’s empowering song “Born This Way”, widely regarded as an LGBTQ+ anthem, and miming the lyrics.

Siwa has since posted a more definitive message, sharing a photo of herself on Twitter in which she wears a T-shirt that reads: “Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever.”

“Old Town Road” artist Lil Nas X, who came out as gay in 2019, was among the first to respond, tweeting: “If u spell ‘swag’ backwards, it’s ‘gay’. Coincidence??”

Chat show host Ellen DeGeneres, who famously came out on the cover of Time magazine in 1997, responded to Siwa’s tweet with a heart emoji.  

“I've known you a long time and this is the happiest I've ever seen you,” comedian Colleen Ballinger wrote.

“You're absolutely glowing and I'm so proud of the woman you are becoming! love yoooou!”

Siwa has also been reposting messages of support on her Instagram Stories, including one from Paris Hilton that read: “Love you itsjojosiwa. I'm so proud of you sis!”

Fellow YouTuber Tana Mongeau  wrote: “She changed history today for the future of lgbtq youth,” and added a rainbow emoji.

Siwa was named among Time magazine’s annual list of 100 most influential people. She has more than 10 million followers on Instagram and 12 million subscribers on her YouTube channel.