JoJo Siwa Biography: Age, Height, Boyfriend, Net Worth, Dance Moms, Karma, Career & Facts

JoJo Siwa is an American dancer, singer, actress, and social media mogul who transformed her childhood fame on Dance Moms into a billion-dollar brand empire. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, she became a household name through her signature oversized bows, infectious energy, and a Nickelodeon partnership that turned her into one of the most recognizable young entertainers in the world. Now 22 years old and navigating a bold rebrand into adult pop music, Siwa continues to dominate headlines with her music, reality television appearances, and high-profile relationships.

Quick Facts

Related personalities: Maddie Ziegler (Dance Moms), Abby Lee Miller (Dance Moms), Jenna Johnson (Dancing with the Stars), Chris Hughes (Love Island), Kath Ebbs (ex-girlfriend), Kylie Prew (ex-girlfriend), Avery Cyrus (ex-girlfriend).

Early Life & Education

Joelle Joanie Siwa was born on May 19, 2003, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Jessalynn Siwa (née Lombardi), a professional dance instructor, and Tom Siwa, a chiropractor. She has one older brother, Jayden Siwa, who is also a social media personality.

Siwa began dancing before she could walk, training at her mother’s dance studio, Just Dance Co. Her competitive dance career started at age two, and by age five, she was competing at regional and national levels. She was homeschooled to accommodate her rigorous dance schedule and early entertainment career.

Her big break came in 2013 when she auditioned for the second season of Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition, a Lifetime reality show produced by Dance Moms star Abby Lee Miller. Siwa placed fifth but made enough of an impression to earn a spot on Dance Moms beginning in 2015.

Career Journey

Dance Moms and Early Breakthrough (2013–2016)

Siwa first appeared on Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition in 2013 at age 10, where her bold personality and powerhouse dance skills caught producers’ attention. In 2015, she joined the main cast of Dance Moms alongside her mother, Jessalynn, quickly becoming a fan favorite for her high-energy performances and signature bow-wearing style.

Nickelodeon Empire and Music Stardom (2016–2023)

In 2016, Siwa signed a major partnership with Nickelodeon that would transform her into a global brand. She launched her YouTube channel, Its JoJo Siwa, which quickly amassed over 12 million subscribers and more than 1 billion views.

Her debut single, “Boomerang,” released in May 2016, became a massive hit, addressing online bullying and earning platinum certification from the RIAA. The music video has surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube. She followed up with hits like “Kid in a Candy Store” (2017) and “Hold the Drama” (2017).

In 2019, Siwa embarked on her first concert tour, the D.R.E.A.M. Tour, which grossed $27 million according to Billboard. She also starred in the Nickelodeon musical film The J Team (2021), which she executive produced.

In 2021, Siwa made history on Dancing with the Stars Season 30 as part of the show’s first same-sex dancing partnership with pro Jenna Johnson, ultimately placing second.

Adult Rebrand and “Gay Pop” Era (2024–2025)

January 2024 marked a dramatic shift in Siwa’s public image. She appeared at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in a black mesh bodysuit and Kiss-inspired makeup, signaling her transition from child star to adult artist.

On April 5, 2024, she released her official debut adult single, “Karma,” which she described as her “first breakout adult moment.” The song and its music video generated significant online backlash and mostly negative reviews. In a Billboard interview, Siwa controversially stated she wanted to “start a new genre of music … It’s called gay pop,” which drew criticism from queer musicians including Tegan and Sara. She later clarified that she was not the inventor of gay pop but positioned herself as a leader in the space.

In July 2024, she released her fourth EP, Guilty Pleasure. She also expressed interest in representing Poland at the Eurovision Song Contest due to her Polish heritage, though Polish broadcaster TVP denied any contact.

Celebrity Big Brother UK and Second Rebrand (2025–2026)

In early 2025, Siwa appeared on Celebrity Big Brother UK, where she formed a close bond with fellow housemate and Love Island alum Chris Hughes. The reality show became a turning point in her personal life, leading to a new relationship and a second public rebrand. During filming, she reflected on her identity, later identifying as queer rather than lesbian.

Career Stats

Television:

• Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition (2013–2014) – Contestant
• Dance Moms (2015–2016) – Main cast
• Dancing with the Stars (2021) – Runner-up (Season 30)
• So You Think You Can Dance (2024) – Judge (Season 18)
• Celebrity Big Brother UK (2025) – Housemate
• The Masked Singer (2023) – Contestant

Film:

• Blurt! (2018)
• The J Team (2021) – Also executive producer

Music:

• “Boomerang” (2016) – RIAA Platinum
• “Kid in a Candy Store” (2017)
• “Hold the Drama” (2017)
• “D.R.E.A.M.” (2018)
• “Karma” (2024)
• Guilty Pleasure EP (2024)
• “Choose Ur Fighter” (2025)

Tours:

• D.R.E.A.M. Tour (2019) – $27 million gross

Personal Life

Family Background

Siwa was born into a dance-centric family. Her mother, Jessalynn Siwa, is a dance instructor who has managed much of JoJo’s career from the beginning. Her father, Tom Siwa, works as a chiropractor. Her older brother, Jayden Siwa, is a social media influencer and vlogger. The family has been deeply involved in JoJo’s business ventures, with Jessalynn serving as her manager and frequent on-screen presence.

Coming Out and Sexuality

In January 2021, Siwa came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community via social media, initially declining to label her sexuality. She later identified as pansexual, then lesbian, and during her time on Celebrity Big Brother in 2025, began identifying as queer. In an April 2026 interview, she clarified that both pansexual and queer remained accurate labels for her.

Relationships and Dating History

Mark Bontempo (August–November 2020): Siwa’s first public relationship was with TikTok star Mark Bontempo, the brother of influencer Madison Bontempo. The relationship lasted about three months.

Kylie Prew (February 2021–June 2022): Siwa met Prew on a cruise in 2020, and they began dating in early 2021. They were very public on social media, moved in together, split in October 2021, briefly reconciled in 2022, and split again in June 2022. They remain friends.

Katie Mills (2022): Siwa briefly dated influencer Katie Mills. After Siwa called out unnamed exes as “clout chasers,” Mills responded with a since-deleted TikTok claiming Siwa ghosted her after saying “I love you.”

Avery Cyrus (August–December 2022): Siwa dated social media content creator Avery Cyrus for several months. The breakup was messy, with Siwa accusing Cyrus of using her for “views and for clout.”

Dakayla Wilson (August–November 2024): Siwa dated So You Think You Can Dance runner-up Dakayla Wilson for three months. Siwa spent $30,000 on Wilson’s 19th birthday celebration in Hawaii before their November 2024 split.

Kath Ebbs (January–April 2025): Siwa went public with Australian non-binary influencer Kath Ebbs in January 2025. Ebbs revealed they split at the Celebrity Big Brother UK wrap party in April 2025, claiming Siwa told them there were “confused feelings.”

Chris Hughes (June 2025–present): Siwa met Love Island star Chris Hughes on Celebrity Big Brother UK. After initially insisting their bond was platonic, she confirmed in June 2025 that “it’s not platonic any more” and that she was “absolutely head over heels for him.”

Controversies

“Gay Pop” Comments (2024): After releasing “Karma,” Siwa told Billboard she wanted to “start a new genre of music … It’s called gay pop.” The comment sparked backlash from queer artists and fans who felt she was appropriating a genre that already existed. She later walked back the statement but continued to face criticism.

XOMG POP! Abuse Allegations (2024): A former member of Siwa’s children’s pop group XOMG POP!, Leigha Sanderson, accused Siwa and her mother of creating an abusive work environment, including expecting Sanderson to attend a music video shoot weeks after spinal cord surgery. Following the allegations, Team Siwa quietly removed nearly all traces of the group from the internet.

Chicago Pride Cancellation (2025): Siwa was removed from the lineup of Chicago’s Back Lot Bash Pride event in June 2025, with organizers citing “scheduling conflicts.” The cancellation came shortly after Siwa discussed feeling pressured to identify as a lesbian and went public with her relationship with Chris Hughes, leading to speculation about backlash from the LGBTQ+ community.

“Tradwife” and LGBT Criticism (2025): After beginning her relationship with Chris Hughes, Siwa faced accusations of turning on the LGBT community and was labeled a “tradwife” by some online critics. She pushed back against the criticism, stating that sexuality is fluid and that she refuses to be boxed in by labels.

JoJo’s Juice Board Game (2021): The board game JoJo’s Juice, marketed for children aged 6 and up, was withdrawn from sales after parents discovered inappropriate questions about nudity and being arrested. Siwa stated she was not informed about the game’s content and was “really, really, really upset.”

Awards & Achievements

• RIAA Platinum Certification – “Boomerang” (2017)
• Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards – Favorite Social Music Star (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
• Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards – Favorite TV Host (2019)
• Time – Named one of the 100 Most Influential People (2020)
• GLAAD Media Award – Nominated for Outstanding Music Artist (2021)
• Dancing with the Stars – Runner-up, Season 30 (2021)
• Billboard – D.R.E.A.M. Tour grossed $27 million (2019)

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“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 the pressure.”
— On her evolving sexuality, 2025

“I could say I want world peace. And everyone would be like, ‘how dare you want peace for the world.’ It’ll blow up.”
— On public backlash, 2024

“I don’t want to live my life as ‘I’m a role model, I need to be a role model.’ I wanna live my life and be a good person.”
— Rhode Island Comic Con, 2024

Favorites

Earnings

As of 2026, JoJo Siwa’s estimated net worth is approximately $20 million. Her wealth comes from multiple revenue streams:

• Merchandise: Forbes estimated her hair bow business alone generated approximately $400 million in sales, with 40 million bows sold in 2018.
• YouTube: Over 12 million subscribers and 1 billion+ views, earning an estimated $18,000+ monthly via AdSense.
• Music streaming: Estimated $3 million+ from Spotify streams across her catalog.
• Concert tours: The D.R.E.A.M. Tour grossed $27 million in 2019.
• Television: Celebrity Big Brother UK reportedly paid her £400,000 for her 19-day stint.
• Brand deals: Walmart shoe contracts, Claire’s partnerships, cereal lines, and gaming apps.
• Estimated annual income (2026): $1.8–$2.6 million across all digital platforms.

Interesting Facts

• Siwa began dancing competitively at just two years old.
• Her signature hair bow business has sold an estimated 40 million units.
• She was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2020 at age 17.
• She made history on Dancing with the Stars as part of the show’s first same-sex partnership.
• Siwa has a dog named BowBow who has appeared in her content.
• She bought her family a $3.4 million mansion in Tarzana, California, when she was 16.
• Her Celebrity Big Brother UK appearance in 2025 earned her £400,000 for 19 days.
• She has two separate Spotify artist pages as of 2025: JoJo Siwa and JoJo Siwa (Kids).
• Siwa expressed interest in representing Poland at Eurovision due to her Polish heritage.
• She came out by wearing a “Best Gay Cousin Ever” T-shirt on social media.

Did You Know Already?

• JoJo Siwa was homeschooled throughout her childhood to accommodate her dance and entertainment career.
• Her real name is Joelle Joanie Siwa—JoJo is a nickname derived from her first two names.
• She was only 13 years old when she signed her massive Nickelodeon deal in 2016.
• The “Karma” music video costume was first revealed at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards, causing confusion before the single’s release.
• She reportedly spent $30,000 on ex-girlfriend Dakayla Wilson’s 19th birthday trip to Hawaii.
• Her brother Jayden is also a content creator with a significant social media following.
• Siwa has been open about feeling pressured to label herself as a lesbian by partners and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @itsjojosiwa
• TikTok: @itsjojosiwa
• YouTube: Its JoJo Siwa
• Twitter/X: @itsjojosiwa
• Facebook: JoJo Siwa
• IMDb: JoJo Siwa
• Spotify: JoJo Siwa

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is JoJo Siwa in 2026?
JoJo Siwa is 22 years old. She was born on May 19, 2003, in Omaha, Nebraska.

What is JoJo Siwa’s net worth?
As of 2026, JoJo Siwa’s estimated net worth is $20 million, built through merchandise, music, YouTube, television, and brand partnerships.

Who is JoJo Siwa dating now?
JoJo Siwa is currently dating Chris Hughes, a Love Island UK alum whom she met on Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2025. They confirmed their relationship in June 2025.

Why is JoJo Siwa famous?
Siwa rose to fame on Dance Moms (2015–2016), then built a massive brand through her Nickelodeon partnership, YouTube channel, signature hair bows, and music hits like “Boomerang.”

What is JoJo Siwa’s sexuality?
Siwa came out as LGBTQ+ in January 2021. She has identified as pansexual, lesbian, and now queer. In April 2026, she confirmed that both pansexual and queer are accurate labels for her.

What happened with JoJo Siwa and XOMG POP!?
A former member, Leigha Sanderson, accused Siwa and her mother of creating an abusive work environment. Following the allegations in 2024, Team Siwa quietly removed most traces of the group from the internet.

Conclusion

JoJo Siwa’s journey from a competitive toddler dancer in Omaha to a global entertainment brand worth $20 million is one of the most remarkable child-star success stories of the modern era. With over a decade in the spotlight, she has navigated the difficult transition from kid-friendly icon to adult pop artist, all while maintaining an unapologetically authentic presence. Whether she’s breaking records with her bow sales, making history on Dancing with the Stars, or redefining her identity on reality television, Siwa remains a force in popular culture. At just 22, her evolution—from “Boomerang” to “Karma,” from Nickelodeon to Celebrity Big Brother—proves she is far from finished making headlines.

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