Jojo Siwa, the former Dance Moms and Nickelodeon star, recently opened up about her experience with a former employer’s bigoted reaction to her coming out as gay. Siwa shared her story on TikTok, complete with a lip-sync to Meghan Trainor’s new song “Mother.” She revealed that the president of the company she was previously employed by asked her what she was going to tell her young demographic after coming out to the world in January 2021. Siwa replied with honesty, saying that she was going to tell the truth.
@itsjojosiwa Inspired by a true story.😨 (side note if that meeting was today I would literally just press play on this song….)
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♬ Mother – Meghan Trainor
However, the president of the company was not pleased with her response. Siwa recounts that he rolled his eyes and remained silent until she continued speaking. Siwa made it clear that she wasn’t going to hide who she was and who she loved from anyone, especially the next generation. She knew that she did the right thing by coming out when so many adults have told her that they wished they had someone like her when they were younger.
Siwa’s TikTok video sparked a conversation among fans about which company she was referring to, as she was not invited to the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. Some speculated that it was the same company that rhymed with “schmikashmodeon.” Nonetheless, fans applauded Siwa’s courage to live her authentic truth and be an inspiration to young people.
Siwa’s experience sheds light on the challenges that many members of the LGBT community face when coming out in professional settings. Homophobia and discrimination are still pervasive in many industries, and it takes immense bravery to stand up to bigotry and be true to oneself. Siwa’s message is clear: never let anyone change who you are.
