If you’ve been away from TikTok for more than five minutes, you might have missed one of the biggest pivots in reality TV history. Seriously. The girl who basically became the face of "Gay Pop" and spent years repping the rainbow is currently in a high-profile relationship with a guy. And not just any guy, but a British reality TV veteran.
Is JoJo Siwa dating a man? Yes, she’s been dating Chris Hughes since the summer of 2025.
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It’s been a wild ride. People are confused. Some fans feel betrayed, while others are just trying to keep up with the timeline. Honestly, the whole thing feels like a plot twist nobody saw coming, especially after her very public relationships with women like Kylie Prew and Avery Cyrus. But if you look at the details, this wasn't some overnight flip. It was a slow burn that started in the most unlikely place: the Celebrity Big Brother UK house.
How JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes Actually Met
It all went down in April 2025. JoJo was cast in the UK version of Celebrity Big Brother, and that’s where she met Chris Hughes. If you aren't familiar with Chris, he’s a massive star in Britain, mostly known for his stint on Love Island.
When they first entered the house, JoJo was actually still in a relationship with Australian dancer Kath Ebbs. For the first few weeks, JoJo and Chris insisted they were just "soulmate friends." They had this intense, platonic bond that viewers couldn't stop talking about. Chris was even defending her against other contestants—basically acting like her biggest protector.
Then came the wrap party.
Kath Ebbs later went on record (and several podcasts) saying they were basically dumped at the after-party because JoJo realized her feelings for Chris weren't so "platonic" anymore. It was messy. It was dramatic. It was exactly what you’d expect from reality TV. By June 2, 2025, JoJo finally confirmed the news to The Guardian, saying her connection with Chris was "not platonic anymore" and that she was "head over heels."
The Backlash and the Identity "Box"
You can probably imagine the comments section. It was a mess.
A lot of people within the LGBTQ+ community were... let's say, frustrated. JoJo had been very vocal about being a lesbian. When she started dating a man, the "fake" and "publicity stunt" allegations started flying immediately.
But JoJo didn't stay quiet. She’s been doing the rounds on podcasts like Smith Sisters Live and Reign with Josh Smith, trying to explain her side. Her main point? She felt "boxed in" by the lesbian label.
"Just because I'm in a hetero relationship does not mean I'm straight," she told SiriusXM.
She’s now using the term queer or pansexual. She basically argues that while she’s deeply in love with a man right now, it doesn't erase the fact that she’s been in love with women and non-binary people in the past. It’s a nuanced take on fluidity that a lot of people struggle to wrap their heads around. Honestly, she seems a lot more relaxed now that she’s stopped trying to fit into one specific category.
Are They Engaged? The "Joelle" Rebrand and Wedding Dress Drama
As we moved into 2026, things got even weirder and more intense.
First, JoJo started 2026 by changing her name on TikTok to Joelle Siwa. Fans lost their minds. It felt like a move toward a more "adult" or "authentic" version of herself. Chris even started calling her Joelle in his Instagram stories.
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Then came the jewelry. For Christmas 2025, Chris gifted JoJo a Cartier Love ring (the white gold version, which retails for over $2,000). She posted a TikTok saying she "doesn't deserve it" and that the ring "doesn't leave her finger." Naturally, everyone assumed it was an engagement ring.
It wasn't. At least, not yet.
In a joint interview with The Sun’s Fabulous Magazine, Chris admitted he thinks Christmas proposals are a bit cliché. He wants it to be a surprise. JoJo, being JoJo, joked that if he doesn't ask within seven years, she’s going to get down on one knee herself.
The most recent "internet-breaking" moment happened just a few days ago, on January 13, 2026. JoJo posted an AI-generated photo of herself in a full wedding dress and veil on Snapchat with the caption: "Call me a wife!!!" Was it a hint? A joke? Just JoJo being chaotic? Probably all of the above. While they aren't officially married or engaged as of today, they’ve already talked about kids and their future together. They even shared AI-generated "future family" photos that some fans called "deeply unsettling," but hey, that’s just 2026 for you.
Understanding the Relationship Dynamics
There is a 10-year age gap here—JoJo is 22 and Chris is 32.
In the world of celebrity dating, that’s not huge, but it’s enough to make people talk. Chris has been through the ringer with public breakups before (most notably with Olivia Attwood), so he seems to be taking a more "protective" approach this time. He’s called it a "safe love" and says he adores the way she handles herself.
For JoJo, this seems to be the first time she’s dating someone who is just as famous (if not more so in certain markets) as she is. They’ve done the red carpets—their big debut was at the Dancers Against Cancer Gala in late 2025—and they seem to be leaning into the "power couple" vibe.
What This Means for Your Feed
If you’re following this saga, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- The Rebrand: Watch the "Joelle" name change. It likely signals a new era of music or content that is less "glitter and bows" and more "mature pop."
- The UK Move: There’s a lot of speculation that JoJo might spend more time in England. They spent Christmas 2025 in the Cotswolds with Chris’s family.
- The Engagement Watch: Chris has made it clear he wants to be the one to propose, and he doesn't want it to be "expected." So, keep an eye on random Tuesdays in the spring.
The bottom line is that JoJo Siwa is definitely dating a man, but she isn't "going straight." She’s just living a very public, very fluid life. Whether you think it’s a PR stunt or true love, you can’t deny that she’s got everyone talking again.
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If you're looking to keep up with the latest updates, the best place is actually her Snapchat or TikTok "Joelle Siwa" account—she tends to drop the biggest "life updates" there before they ever hit the news cycles. Watch for more of those AI family photos; they seem to be her favorite way of teasing the paparazzi lately.