Miley Cyrus is facing criticism following a joke she made about JoJo Siwa’s sexuality during a WorldPride 2025 video appearance, shortly after Siwa confirmed her relationship with Celebrity Big Brother co-star Chris Hughes.
Siwa, 22, who previously identified as a lesbian, revealed she is now dating Hughes, 32, a former Love Island contestant. The two developed a close bond while appearing together on season 24 of the UK reality show, initially describing their connection as “platonic.” In recent interviews, Siwa has confirmed the relationship is now romantic.
Speaking to The Guardian, the Dance Moms alum said, “It’s not platonic any more, and it’s been a beautiful development, a beautiful connection, and I’m absolutely head over heels for him and he’s the same way.”
During the reality show, Siwa also addressed her evolving understanding of her sexuality. In a conversation with fellow contestant Danny Beard, she said: “I think I’ve always told myself I’m a lesbian, and I think being here I’ve realized, ‘Oh, I’m not a lesbian, I’m queer.’ … I’m switching letters. I’m going to the Q.”
Cyrus, 32, who has previously identified as pansexual, made a light-hearted reference to Siwa’s announcement in a pre-recorded message aired at WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Standing in front of a pantry in the clip, Cyrus said: “Oh my God, I haven’t been in there since the sixth grade. Enjoy coming out of the closet if this Pride is the time for you. It’s Miley, I just want to tell you to have an amazing World Pride.”
Turning to someone off camera, she added: “Is it a month?! It should be a year, it should be infinite.” Before closing herself in the pantry, she quipped: “Alright, I’m going back in to get some more pretzels and find JoJo Siwa and bring her back out.”
The joke has divided audiences online. Critics described it as “weird” and accused Cyrus of being dismissive of bisexual and queer identities.
“Telling someone who found love with a man to go back out of the closet from someone twice her age. It’s just weird,” one user posted on X, formerly Twitter. Another wrote, “Bi women being biphobic is so weird lol.”
Others defended the pop star, arguing the comment was meant in good humor and taken out of context.
“Y’all forget that Miley has also dated men and women. She isn’t ‘clocking’ anyone or making fun of bi or pan people,” one fan noted. “Miley is not being biphobic here.”
Another user praised Cyrus’s humor: “She’s so effortlessly funny.”
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