Internet personality JoJo Siwa has announced she will join the cast of Dancing with the Stars next season in a history-making role: She will be the first competitor in the history of the show to dance as part of a same-sex couple.
Variety reports that Siwa will have a female partner throughout her run on the show, marking the first same-sex pairing in the program’s 30-season history.
Related: JoJo Siwa doesn’t give AF about homophobic haters and neither should you
“It’s really special that not only now do I get to share with the world that you get to love who you want to love, but also you get a dance with whom you want to dance,” Siwa said in a statement. “There’s a lot of barriers that we’re going to have to break through — who leads, how do you dress, what shoes do you wear? But I think it’s all something that I’m looking forward to. It’s going to be tricky, but it’s going to give so much to people out there — people of the LGBTQ community, people who feel just a little different. It’s going to give them a sense of happiness.”
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Siwa added that the producers of the show had offered her the option of choosing either a male or female partner. Given the option, she chose the lady.
“I want to make it OK for the people who come after me,” she added. “I want to make everything OK for the people who come after me.”
Siwa and Olympic gymnast Suni Lee are, thus far, the only cast members announced for the new season. Parent network ABC will release the full line-up on September 8. The show will premiere on September 20.
kr15kk
Just to let y’all know that this is the first for the American version of the show. Both the Australian and UK version have done this already.
Liquid Silver
Trust me, we’re aware that American-centric news can’t imagine that shows on other nations’ channels could possibly count. 🙂
ScottOnEarth
Just to let you know, this is an American TV show, making history in America, so save your negativity for your mother.
Ronbo
ScottOnEarth is unaware of the difference between a stated fact and negativity. He screamed in agony when gravity grabbed his phone (in negativity) and shattered the screen on the floor. Negative ol’ gravity done ScottOnEarth a bad one, once again.
KerryB
Make history as what? The biggest twat on tv?
ScottOnEarth
This is really awesome and a serious step in the right direction. Love it!
GreekKeys
Ten points for using “same sex” as opposed to… what is it today? Gender Parallelism?
cuteguy
It’s definitely a step in the right direction but two women dancing together is not as groundbreaking as two men. Women are always dancing together and it’s not considered taboo
jcool
she’s riding that bow in her hair for all she can. she’s a modern day Rose Marie. shout out to the mature readers.
squinney7007
I have no clue who she is, but she looks fun. I have never seen dancing with the stars but maybe I need to plug in my old TV and watch.