Are JoJo Siwa and her ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ castmate dating? They cleared it up
“Celebrity Big Brother” may have crowned a winner, but that doesn’t mean the drama is over.
Two housemates, JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes, sparked particular intrigue during the show, which films contestants 24/7 over the course of three weeks and airs the footage in real time.
Some fans thought their friendship might be something more, despite Siwa going into the Big Brother House with a partner.
‘This Morning’ TV show, London, Apr 28, 2025.Ken McKay / ITV via Shutterstock
This speculation only rose after Siwa’s former partner, Kath Ebbs, said in a since-deleted TikTok that Siwa broke up with her at the “Celebrity Big Brother” after party on April 25, which Siwa confirmed.
But is there any basis in this speculation? What’s really going on with Siwa and Hughes? Here’s what they’ve both said.
Who is JoJo Siwa?
JoJo Siwa, 21, rose to fame as a child actor, singer, dancer and “Dance Moms” cast member.
In 2016, she shifted to music for the first time, releasing a single “Boomerang.” She has since gone on to release more music like her 2024 single “Karma.”
Siwa has appeared on other competition shows, including “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test,” “The Masked Singer,” “America’s Got Talent,” “Dancing with the Stars” and judging “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Siwa came out as part of the LGBTQ+ community in 2021. On “Celebrity Big Brother,” she said she’s starting to prefer describing her sexuality as “queer” instead of “lesbian.”
Who is Chris Hughes?
Chris Hughes, 32, is a model who appeared in the third season of the British reality series “Love Island” in 2017.
Along with fellow islander Kem Cetinay, Hughes started the musical duo “Chris & Kem.” He has continued to appear in reality television series like “Chris and Olivia: Crackin’ On” and the game show “You Vs. Chris & Kem.” He also wrote a book called “My Life Story: You Bantering Me.”
Hughes has also been a sports presenter for both cricket and horse racing.
What’s going on between JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes?
Siwa and Hughes met on the set of the 2025 season of “Celebrity Big Brother” and became fast friends. In a notable moment, Hughes defended Siwa from homophobic comments from housemate Mickey Rourke.
During that encounter, Siwa mentioned being in a “very happy relationship.”
Fans captured as their friendship deepened in real time, with clips of them cuddling in bed discussing their friendship, writing messages on each others’ hands in bed, joking about having babies together, relaxing in a hot tub, passing notes to each other, expressing the joy they bring each other and Hughes casually kissing Siwa on the cheek.
As the duo’s time on “Big Brother” came to an end, Siwa admitted her mixed emotions through tears.
She also said she felt “very confused.” She also said, “I feel guilty for how happy I’ve been. Like, I’ve been so happy.”
What have Siwa and Ebbs said about their break up?
Ebbs said in a TikTok video, which she has since deleted, that Siwa broke up with her at the wrap party for “Celebrity Big Brother.”
Siwa confirmed the breakup during an appearance with Hughes on ITV’s This Morning on April 28.
“I’ll be honest, that was not a plan,” Siwa said. “That was not an intention, that was not supposed to happen like that.”
“Initially, I was told that the wrap party was something they didn’t want to attend and then about an hour into the wrap party they decided they wanted to. And so I was genuinely just going to have a conversation before and then it just led to another,” Siwa continued.
Siwa said Ebbs “straight up” asked her if she was happy, and Siwa said no.
“One thing led to another and that conversation did take place there,” she said.
Where does Siwa and Hughes’ relationship stand now?
On “This Morning” April 28, Siwa and Hughes clarified if there was any credence to fans’ rumors that they were more than friends.
In short, no. Hughes said they have a “soul mate friendship.”
“That energy of where it’s not the standard energy you have with our friends — but we are friends,” he said.
When asked if she wanted it to be more than friendship, Siwa responded, “Look, he’s a great guy. It is platonic. We had a lot of fun together. Life is life. I don’t know any future of anything. But I’m really grateful for our dynamic we have and our bond that we have. Whatever life does, life will do.”
On “The Useless Hotline Podcast,” also released April 28, Siwa re-iterated their stance of being just friends.
“I will clarify, Chris and I, are friends. Chris is a wonderful guy who I’m very lucky got to come into my life. We have a very special bond, a very special relationship, but it’s a beautiful, beautiful , beautiful friendship that I’m very grateful for.”
Outside of the House, Siwa posted an Instagram reel of highlights from the show set to Dirty Dancing’s “I’ve Had the Time of My Life,” many of which featured Hughes. In the caption, she wrote that it was “one of my favorite things that I’ve ever done in my life.”
“I’ve learned so much about my self in the Big Brother House and wouldn’t change a thing about the journey,” she wrote. “I wish I could go back in time and live it over and over again.”
Since the finale aired April 25, Hughes and Siwa haven’t wasted time in planning time to hang out. The two were photographed out at a pub with a group and playing tennis.
