‘Would Lose My Mind’: JoJo Siwa Reflects On Being ‘Blackballed’ by Nickelodeon After Coming Out As Queer

As a lifestyle expert with a keen eye for pop culture and personal growth, I find it deeply disheartening to see instances like Jojo Siwa’s story unfold. It is unfortunate that, in 2024, we still have individuals who are unable or unwilling to embrace authenticity and individuality, especially when it comes to matters of sexual orientation.


Jojo Siwa consistently grabs attention, no matter the reason. Now, she’s making headlines once again, as she’s slated to appear in Demi Lovato’s directorial project, titled “Child Stars.” This documentary will delve into the lives of child actors, as the title suggests. Alongside Siwa, the documentary will feature numerous former child stars such as Drew Barrymore, Christina Ricci, and many others.

In 2021, Siwa emerged publicly as part of the LGBTQ+ community and has been candid about her identity ever since, particularly in her performances and music videos. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she has shared her struggles following this significant announcement.

As reported in the publication, the vocalist from Karma shared that after her coming out, she received a call from Nickelodeon‘s president (presumably Brian Robbins at the time) who inquired, “What do we tell the kids?” To which she replied, “That I’m happy.” She did not explicitly name the president, but it was reported that Brian Robbins held this position during that specific period.

Jojo reportedly received a request from him for her to contact the stores that stocked her merchandise, explaining to them that she wasn’t acting “unusually.” She carried out this task and contacted retailers like Target, Walmart, and Claires, but there had been a shift in her partnership with Nickelodeon.

According to the report, Siwa stated that she felt effectively ostracized from the company. She admitted that these days, she places greater emphasis on how others perceive her, and if the same situation occurred now, she would approach it differently.

In a subsequent statement, the performer remarked, “Suppose my music label’s president phoned me right now, asking something similar to what the head of my network once did, I would be utterly bewildered.” She further explained, “Truthfully, I would apologize profusely. I might suggest returning to hiding or deleting [the post]. Perhaps I’d claim it was a joke. I’d even consider getting a romantic partner. However, at that time, I was more like, ‘I’m in love and content. Just be quiet.'”

Nickelodeon’s team responded with a statement saying they weren’t familiar with the specific event JoJo Siwa had mentioned.

In simpler terms, the representative clarified that she wasn’t ostracized by the company, rather they have consistently backed and appreciated her during their fruitful collaboration. This support is evident in various projects, such as a Jojo-themed Pride collection which was sold at major retailers across the nation, to name just one of their joint endeavors. The statement ended on a positive note, expressing continued encouragement for her success and nothing but well wishes.

Child Stars Premiers on Hulu on September 17, 2024.

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2024-08-15 16:38