On Thursday, “Dancing With the Stars” story was made with the announcement that dancer and social media personality JoJo Siwa would be the first candidate on the ABC program to run with a same-sex partner.
Executive producer Andrew Llinares announced the milestone during a panel of the television critics association “Dancing With the Stars”.
(The show also announced that gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee would be in her 30th season and that other celebrity contestants would be featured on Good Morning America on September 8. The season kicks off on September 20. )
“I have a girlfriend who is the love of my life and who is everything to me,” Siwa told USA Today in an article published Thursday. “My journey of getting out and having a girlfriend has inspired so many people around the world.”
“I thought if I did choose to dance with a girl on this show it would break the stereotype,” she said, adding that it would be “new, different” and a “change for the better.”
Siwa emerged as part of the LGBTQ community earlier this year when she posted a photo of herself on Instagram wearing a t-shirt that said, “Best Gay Cousin Ever”. In April, she told people that “technically I would say that I am pansexual”.
On the judging panel for the Critics Association, model and TV personality Tyra Banks – who hosts and executive producer of “Dancing With the Stars” – said she supports the move.
“You make history, JoJo,” she said. “This is life changing for so many people. Especially because you are so young. That you say this is who you are and it’s beautiful, I’m so proud of you. “
Siwa, known for her sparkling hair accessories and bubbly personality, met her friend Kylie Prew on a cruise. They started dating in January and by June LGBTQ advocacy group Glaad had them on their 20 Under 20 list.
Glaad’s talent boss Anthony Allen Ramos praised the show’s move on Thursday in a statement. “At the age of 18, JoJo Siwa used her platform again to inspire and promote the LGBTQ community,” he said. “As one of the most watched and acclaimed television shows, ‘Dancing With the Stars’ and Tyra Banks make the right decision to show JoJo Siwa alongside a professional dancer.”
“The show has such a wide, wide-ranging audience,” he said, “and there is a real opportunity here for people to celebrate same-sex pairing and to root JoJo and all LGBTQ youth.”
