JoJo Siwa Inspires Young People as an LGBTQ+ Role Model and Advocate for Childhood Cancer Research
Since her 2015 debut on Lifetime’s Dance Moms, JoJo Siwa has catapulted to a household name. Her rainbow-clad ensembles radiated confidence, while her signature oversized hair bows signified an infinite measure of joy and self-love. As JoJo’s grown, her accessories and styles have changed but the message behind her mission has remained the same: Be kind. Be unapologetically yourself. Believe in yourself.
In January 2021, JoJo came out as gay to her millions of followers on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube, and has become an impactful queer role model for young LGBTQ+ people. She’s open, vulnerable, and unflappably uplifting about her journey to coming out and embracing her identity, in a way that’s inspired others to celebrate their own queerness. She’s been named the “Next Gen Pride Icon” by the city of West Hollywood and made history on Dancing with the Stars as one-half of the first same-sex team.
JoJo, 19, persistently reminds her fans of the importance of loving yourself and living authentically. “Everything I’ve ever done online comes from me, from the inside out,” JoJo told Seventeen. Her advocacy reaches millions of followers on social media and the tens of thousands of fans who attend her concerts, where the multi-hyphenate performs hits including “Boomerang” and “D.R.E.A.M.” Her spellbinding enthusiasm has translated to the small screen in series such as High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Now, with the launch of the JoJo Siwa Childhood Cancer Foundation, her invincible light continues to touch the lives of so many others.
What moment did you realize you wanted to use your platform for positivity?
JoJo Siwa: Honestly, it was before I even had a platform. When I was in third grade, I went back to school for the last semester, and this girl got bullied really bad. People on the first day of school told me not to hang out with her. I was new, I had never gone to school. I had only been homeschooled, so I went with the flow. I didn't know any better. Then on the last day of school, we got to have a big ice cream party and the party depended on how you did academically. This student did not do very well academically, and she only got a bowl of whipped cream when everyone else got ice cream, cherries, and sprinkles. Everyone was laughing at her, making fun of her. That day, I remember, I went and I made a gigantic ice cream sundae and I gave it to her because I didn't even want the ice cream, I wanted her to have it. That day was like, ‘Wow, I want to use my platform to help other people know right from wrong and be kind to one another.’
Everything I’ve ever done online comes from me, from the inside out, and truly, from my heart and my brain. It was one day at a time, it was a lot of work and it is a lot of work. [Wanting to use my platform for positivity] naturally translated to what it is now.
What are you most proud of achieving so far in your advocacy journey?
JS: Launching my foundation, the JoJo Siwa Childhood Cancer Foundation. I have met a lot of kids and families over the last 10 years who have been affected by childhood cancer. One of my goals was always to create a foundation, organization, or charity. I went back and forth between causes that I'm really passionate about, and decided that I would be able to make the most impact on people's lives by focusing on childhood cancer. It was in the works for 2 ? years, and it launched about a year ago. To have it be here and be present is a really big deal to me.
My goal with the foundation is to bring a smile to kid's faces and families' faces. There are a lot of sad days, which I noticed while doing work with the Make-a-Wish Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The day they spent with me was the day that they looked forward to, the day that they got to smile. It's hard when you see a family that's been affected by so much. You feel a lot of emotions, but I always do my best to make kids smile for a day. That's what I'm proud to do with JoJo Siwa Childhood Cancer Foundation, to bring smiles to the little kiddos of the world.
How have you grown since your journey as a dancer, singer, actress, and activist began?
JS: There’s been a lot of steps in my journey and a lot of different moments where I'm like, ‘Wow this is really happening.’ The day that I announced my Childhood Cancer Foundation, we were filming Siwas Dance Pop Revolution, the TV show for my girl group, XOMG POP! We held a gala, and I did not think this night would be as emotional as it was, but we were able to have three little kiddos who have been affected by childhood cancer come out. They came to my house and we got to present them with a donation. That was really, really meaningful. My old studio teacher was diagnosed with cancer, and she has kids who were of course affected by their mom's diagnosis, so we were able to make a donation to them as well. That was the moment where I was like, ‘I’m really proud of what we’re doing.’
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced and what have you learned from it?
JS: Balance. Balance of fun, balance of work, balance of sleep, balance of play. It's still a learning journey. I don't think I've quite perfected it, but I just try to do something everyday that makes the people around me smile, that makes me smile, and keeps life light. Life is oddly really short, even though it's the longest thing that any of us know. It's short and we have to enjoy it.
What motivates you to keep using your voice and advocating for others?
JS: The kids in the world. I started doing this as a kid, so watching this younger generation — from freshman in high school to Kindergartners — grow up, and having the ability to reach millions of them with a simple post online, is mind-blowing.
Parts of this interview have been edited and condensed for clarity.
Photos courtesy of JoJo Siwa. Design by Yoora Kim.
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