JoJo Siwa‘s mother, Jessalynn Siwa, is expressing her heartbreak and outrage over the recent homophobic and misogynistic remarks made by actor Mickey Rourke on Celebrity Big Brother UK. The shocking exchange, which left JoJo in tears, aired to over 1.5 million viewers and has sparked a wave of backlash online — but Jessalynn says she’s not surprised that Rourke hasn’t been removed from the reality show.
Jessalynn Siwa: “I’m Really Sad, But Not Surprised”
Taking to Instagram, Jessalynn shared her thoughts in a heartfelt post addressing the situation, revealing the emotional toll the incident has taken on their family.
“I’m really sad my daughter was attacked like that,” she wrote. “But I’m also incredibly proud of how she handled herself with grace and maturity. Honestly, I’m not surprised that he didn’t go home. I knew he wouldn’t.”
Jessalynn’s reaction highlights not only her support for her daughter but also her frustration with the lack of consequences following Rourke’s offensive behavior.
Kath Ebbs Defends JoJo: “We Witnessed Misogyny on National TV”
JoJo Siwa’s partner, Kath Ebbs, also responded with a powerful message of support. Sharing Jessalynn’s post, Kath added their own commentary on the situation:
“Jo is one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever come to know, let alone had the privilege to call my partner. We all witnessed misogyny play out on national television these last two days. The support for her has been swift, as it should be.”
Kath later posted a series of videos elaborating on the emotional impact of the incident and condemning the normalization of homophobia and sexism in media.
What Happened on ‘Celebrity Big Brother UK’?
The controversy began during a conversation in the Celebrity Big Brother UK house when Mickey Rourke asked JoJo Siwa, who came out as gay in 2021, whether she liked boys or girls. When she explained that her partner is nonbinary, Rourke responded by saying that if he stayed in the house for more than four days, he could “turn her straight.”
The situation escalated further when Rourke used a homophobic slur, later claiming he was referencing a British slang term for a cigarette. The remark visibly upset JoJo, who was left in tears.
In a later scene, housemate Chris Hughes was seen comforting JoJo, offering a hug and words of encouragement. Hughes has since become one of the few voices in the house openly supporting her in the aftermath.
As the tension continued, Mickey was also overheard saying:
“I’m going to vote the lesbian out real quick,”
in a conversation with Chris Hughes, as they discussed upcoming eviction votes.
ITV’s Response and Viewer Backlash
ITV, which broadcasts Celebrity Big Brother UK, issued an official warning to Mickey Rourke and aired his on-camera apology in a follow-up episode. Rourke defended his comments as “trash talk,” saying he didn’t mean to offend anyone.
However, viewers and fans were not satisfied. Social media quickly exploded with criticism, calling the actor’s behavior unacceptable and demanding his immediate removal from the show. The hashtag #RemoveMickeyRourke began trending on Twitter within hours of the episode’s airing.
“Homophobia is not ‘trash talk,’ it’s abuse,” one user posted.
“The fact that ITV hasn’t kicked him out says a lot about what they’re willing to allow for ratings,” another wrote.
JoJo Siwa’s Strength Amid Adversity
Despite the hurtful remarks and the emotional stress, JoJo Siwa has continued to maintain a positive attitude in the house. Her fans, family, and partner have rallied around her, celebrating her strength, resilience, and authenticity.
“She handled it better than most adults would,” said a longtime fan on Instagram. “JoJo is a role model for every LGBTQ+ youth watching.”
What Happens Next?
As the backlash continues to grow, ITV has yet to comment further on whether additional action will be taken against Mickey Rourke. Many are calling for the network to issue a formal apology to JoJo and reconsider Rourke’s place on the show.
Meanwhile, JoJo’s supporters are using this moment to speak out about the broader issue of homophobia and misogyny in reality television, emphasizing that stars like JoJo — who openly represent the LGBTQ+ community — deserve respect, safety, and dignity on national platforms.
