JoJo Siwa is hit by cruel backlash following decision to pull out of Chicago Pride festival a day after admitting she felt 'pressured' to call herself a lesbian

Daily Mail​

3 hours ago

JoJo Siwa has been hit by cruel backlash after it was revealed she'd pulled out of an appearance at a Chicago Pride event.
The singer, 22, had been due to take to the stage at the Chicago Back Lot bash on Sunday, but in a post on Instagram, organisers revealed she will no longer be performing due to a 'scheduling conflict.'
JoJo has sparked a social media frenzy since she confirmed she is dating Love Island star Chris Hughes, after they met on Celebrity Big Brother in April.
The star, who identifies as queer, also shared on Friday that she felt 'pressured' to call herself a lesbian.
Following the news of JoJo's withdrawal from the Pride show, some fans were quick to share their reaction to the news on social media, with others rushing to defend the star, as the move came just a week after she postponed her US tour.
Comments included: 'America just dropped bombs on Iran, why would we care about JoJo Siwa winning s**t
'She won't be missed; And this is relevant because!?'
'I'm so over this girl, her 15 minutes of fame are up goodbye!'
However, others rushed to JoJo's defence, writing: 'Aww, hope she's doing okay! Love is wild
'People are being extremely unfair to JoJo. I'm not a fan but she's young. She's figuring things out, in the public eye which has to be a nightmare in itself.
'She can be pansexual if that's what she feels. She is allowed to explore until she find what's right for her.'
On Saturday, Back Lot Bash Chicago shared the news that JoJo would not be performing at the event as planned, with a post on Instagram Stories.
'Due to a scheduling conflict, JoJo Siwa will no longer be performing at Chicago's Back Lot Bash,' it read.
The news came just a day after JoJo one day revealed to YOU Magazine that she felt pressured into calling herself a lesbian.
However, others were quick to defend the star, as the news came just a week after she postponed her US tour
On Saturday, Back Lot Bash Chicago shared the news that JoJo would not be performing at the event as planned, with a post on Instagram Stories
'When I came out at 17, I said: 'I'm pansexual, because I don't care [about gender].' But then I kind of boxed myself in and I said: 'I'm a lesbian.' And I think I did that because of pressure.'
The Dance Moms alum has had several relationships with women since coming out in February 2021.
'In a weird way, I think [the pressure] came a little bit from inside the [LGBTQ] community at times. From people I know, from partners I've had,' she contended.
'You just get put in this world where you feel like, because you now have said, 'Oh, I'm a lesbian', you have to be a lesbian. And the truth is, sexuality is fluid.'
Siwa met her current love interest, Chris Hughes, 32, while they were both competing on Celebrity Big Brother UK.
The TV presenter defended Siwa after fellow contestant Mickey Rourke, 72, made homophobic comments.
The two became friends, and then 'platonic soulmates' and then it developed into something more with the couple going public with their romance earlier this month.
'I'll just say that it took time. It took time away and then it took time together,' and went onto call Chris 'the favourite part of her life.'
The Karma artist was set to return to the US next week for the American leg of her tour, but an announcement made on the website jojosiwalive.com said the dates have been postponed, with those who bought tickets would receive a refund.
She also teased that there would be more shows in Europe announced soon in a hint that she could be staying in the UK for longer.
It comes just days after it was revealed JoJo has been dropped by record label Columbia just one year after being signed.
JoJo had been signed to the record company Columbia in 2024, and she released her single Karma and EP Guilty Pleasure with the label.
But less than a year later, the US reality star is no longer working with Columbia Records and released her latest song Bulletproof independently.
Elsewhere, The Sun reported on Friday that JoJo and Love Island star Chris have been in talks with ITV bosses about their own reality TV show, with it being lined up to air on ITV2 later in the year.
Elsewhere, The Sun reported on Friday that JoJo and Love Island star Chris have been in talks with ITV bosses about their own reality TV show, with it being lined up to air on ITV2 later in the year.
A source told the publication: 'It's still in the early stages but ITV really think they'd be amazing TV with their own show.
'Fans around the world are obsessed with their relationship and there are so many TikTok accounts devoted to their love story.'
They added: 'Chris and JoJo are keen too, and while there is no deal signed yet, the talks have been really promising.'
Before confirming their romance, JoJo and Chris played coy over their relationship status – despite numerous cosy public outings
After forming a close bond in the Celebrity Big Brother house, JoJo finally confirmed earlier this month that she and Chris are officially an item and that she's started calling him her boyfriend.
In an interview with Capital Radio, JoJo said: 'I'm sure it's no secret to people, I am in a lovely relationship with a sweet boy named Christopher Hughes.'
She also gushed about her blossoming romance with Chris in an interview with The Guardian when asked whether things between them were still platonic.
'It's not platonic anymore, and it's been a beautiful development, a beautiful connection, and I'm absolutely head over heels for him and he's the same way,' she told them.