Omaha’s JoJo Siwa comes out as part of the LGBTQ community – Omaha World-Herald

20190419_new_jojo_pic_cm008 (copy) — JoJo Siwa performs at Wheeler Elementary School in Omaha in April 2019.

CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

JoJo Siwa, a teen star from Omaha, came out as a member of the LGBTQ community on Saturday.

Known for her massive bows, hit songs and social media presence, the former “Dance Moms” star confirmed through Instagram Live what a trending tweet had hinted at the day before: The 17-year-old was coming out.

Said tweet pictured a T-shirt with the words “Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever.”

“My cousin got me a new shirt,” Siwa wrote.

My cousin got me a new shirt pic.twitter.com/DuHhgRto7b

— JoJo Siwa!🌈❤️🎀 (@itsjojosiwa) January 22, 2021

When asked during her Instagram Live video about how she identifies within the LGBTQ community, Siwa said she didn’t “really know this answer.”

“Right now what matters is that you guys know that no matter who you love, that it’s okay,” she said. “It’s awesome, and the world is there for you. There are so many people that are there for you … I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, that’s what matters.”

Siwa ended the video with words from her father.

“Like my dad said, love is universal. You guys can love whoever you want to love, and you guys can do in life whatever you want to do,” she said. “You can dream a dream and make that dream come true, no matter what.”

An email to Siwa’s agent was not immediately answered.

Photos: JoJo Siwa makes a surprise appearance at Wheeler Elementary in 2019

JoJo Siwa dances during a surprise appearance at Wheeler Elementary School.

JoJo Siwa asks students to saw what they want to be when they grow up during a surprise appearance at Wheeler Elementary School on Thursday, April 18, 2019. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

JoJo Siwa talks to students during a surprise appearance at at Wheeler Elementary School on Thursday.

JoJo Siwa talks to students during a surprise appearance at Wheeler Elementary School on Thursday, April 18, 2019. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

JoJo Siwa talks to students during a surprise appearance at Wheeler Elementary School on Thursday, April 18, 2019. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

JoJo Siwa talks to students during a surprise appearance at Wheeler Elementary School on Thursday, April 18, 2019. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

JoJo Siwa prompts students to sing a line to her song “Boomerang” to students during a surprise appearance at Wheeler Elementary School on Thursday, April 18, 2019. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

JoJo Siwa prompts students to sing a line to her song “Boomerang” to students during a surprise appearance at Wheeler Elementary School.

JoJo Siwa talks to students during a surprise appearance at Wheeler Elementary School on Thursday, April 18, 2019. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

JoJo Siwa wears sparkly shows while talksing to students during a surprise appearance at Wheeler Elementary School on Thursday, April 18, 2019. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Students raise their hands to ask JoJo Siwa a question during a surprise appearance at Wheeler Elementary School.

Tristan Lasley raises his hand to ask JoJo Siwa a question during a surprise appearance at Wheeler Elementary School on Thursday, April 18, 2019. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Makenna Melroy reacts to finding out JoJo Siwa is about to make an appearance at Wheeler Elementary School on Thursday, April 18, 2019. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Zoey Richardson screams when JoJo Siwa makes a surprise appearance at Wheeler Elementary School.