JoJo Siwa initially kept her romance with Chris Hughes under wraps because she feared he might not feel the same way, an insider claims. Now, the singer is said to be “head over heels” for the Love Island star.
The 22-year-old dancer and 32-year-old reality TV personality caused a social media frenzy after meeting and developing a connection on Celebrity Big Brother in April.
Although Chris flew to Mexico to surprise JoJo for her 22nd birthday last month before celebrating with her and her family in Orlando, the pair later appeared together in a bedroom selfie. Even so, JoJo avoided confirming the status of their relationship until earlier this week.
“I’m not sure why she ever denied that they were dating because she’s mad about him,” a source told DailyMail.com. “She is literally head over heels. Perhaps she wanted to be certain that his feelings were as genuine as hers.”
Chris also appears to have won the approval of the Dance Moms star’s parents, Jessalynn and Tom. The couple are not thought to have any concerns about the 10-year age difference between JoJo and Chris.
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Sources say JoJo Siwa originally denied dating Chris Hughes because she was unsure whether he shared her feelings
The dancer and Love Island star have attracted intense online attention since meeting on Celebrity Big Brother in April, with Chris posting a steamy bedroom photo featuring JoJo on Sunday
“Her parents want JoJo to be happy and see Chris as someone truly special. They are excited to see how the relationship develops,” the insider said.
“They fully support their daughter’s choice. JoJo has grown up in the public eye and tends to commit wholeheartedly, so her friends are not surprised by how she is behaving with Chris.
“Nobody is focused on the age gap or questioning whether things are moving too quickly. Everyone simply wants JoJo to be happy.”
JoJo, who reunited with Chris in the UK last week, is reportedly so content that she may draw inspiration from the romance for new music.
The source added: “She has been considering writing songs about her relationship with Chris.”
During a recent appearance on Sunday Brunch, JoJo became emotional while explaining that her parents “think the absolute world of Chris.”
She said: “He and my dad are like best friends. Chris was telling me yesterday that they went to the spa together.
“They are literally best friends, and Mom Siwa absolutely adores him. I love watching her watch us because I’ve never seen my mom so happy. It’s… it’s… I could cry.”
After JoJo traveled to the UK to reunite with Chris last week, sources told DailyMail.com that her parents, Jessalynn and Tom, fully support the relationship
Chris posted a photo on Friday from dinner in London with JoJo, her parents and dancer friends, while JoJo said her family “think the world of him”
JoJo had previously avoided confirming the romance, but on Monday she said she was “head over heels” for Chris
The development came shortly after Chris was questioned about the romance during an appearance on Tuesday’s This Morning
“Honestly, it makes me happy to see everyone act this way. It feels like we’re a family, as though he has been part of my family for years. It feels like he has always been there.
“He gets along with them just as well as I do. I think he loves me because of my parents!”
Her comments came just days before Chris discussed the relationship during an appearance on Tuesday’s This Morning.
Host Ben Shephard asked: “Can we talk about it? Everyone is discussing the relationship, and we’re all very excited. Have you decided whether it’s Hughes-wa… what is the power-couple name?”
Co-host Cat quickly followed up: “What is it going to be?”
“They’re calling it Co-Jo. That’s the one everyone seems to like,” Chris replied.
The presenters said they liked the nickname, prompting Chris to remark that it “rolls off the tongue.”
JoJo confirmed on Monday that she and Chris were officially together, ending weeks of speculation.
Although she had been questioned repeatedly about their status, JoJo had previously remained guarded, describing Chris only as her “favourite person in the world.”
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During an interview with Capital Radio, however, she confirmed that their relationship had become official and said she had begun referring to Chris as her boyfriend.
In a video for the station’s new Capital Buzz series, JoJo also admitted she had needed to explain her viral “Dream guest on my podcast” comment to Chris.
She added: “I’m sure it’s no secret to people that I am in a lovely relationship with a sweet boy named Christopher Hughes.”
In a previous interview with The Guardian, JoJo spoke enthusiastically about the couple’s growing romance.
She said: “It isn’t platonic anymore. It has been a beautiful development and a beautiful connection. I’m absolutely head over heels for him, and he feels the same way.”
The Dance Moms star also rejected claims that the relationship was a “PR stunt,” saying: “Clearly, you’ve never been around us. I can’t speak for him, but my happiness is radiating from me right now.
“Yesterday, I was massaging my cheeks because I’ve never been in pain from smiling so much.”
JoJo reflected on her London performances on Instagram last week, saying she had never felt so “content and happy”
Chris sent fans into a frenzy on Sunday when he shared an intimate bedroom photo of himself with JoJo on Snapchat.
The image showed the pair cuddling in bed, alongside the caption: “Sleeping beauty.”
JoJo also said: “She loves him. She really does. My parents think the absolute world of him, and he and my dad are like best friends. Chris was telling me yesterday that they went to the spa together.
“They are literally best friends, and Mom Siwa absolutely adores him. I love watching her watch us because I’ve never seen my mom so happy. It’s… it’s… I could cry.
“Honestly, it makes me happy to see everyone act this way. It feels like we’re a family, as though he has been part of my family for years. It feels like he has always been there.
“He gets along with them just as well as I do. I think he loves me because of my parents!”
JoJo later reflected on her London shows in an Instagram post, saying she had never felt so “content and happy.” She described her first few days in the UK as “the perfect time with perfect people in a perfect place.”
The post featured a series of performance photos, including one sweet backstage image of JoJo embracing Chris.
Chris had previously spoken about his relationship status with JoJo, after the singer appeared to confirm their romance with a heartfelt onstage tribute.
During a Q&A, the ITV star was asked directly whether he and JoJo were in a relationship.
He offered a one-word response: “Happy. That’s my relationship status — happy. I’m just happy, and that’s good. I’m happy with that.”
Chris and JoJo attracted attention with their close friendship in the Celebrity Big Brother house, although they initially insisted the relationship was platonic
Despite his careful answer, Chris continued to praise his bond with JoJo, saying she had become his “favourite topic of conversation.”
He said: “She’s my favourite human and someone I could talk about relentlessly.”
During JoJo’s London performance on Tuesday, she appeared to confirm that her friendship with Chris had turned romantic. She later broke down in tears while telling the audience she felt “incredibly loved.”
The star performed her cover of Bette Davis’ “Eyes,” changing the final lyric to sing “Chris Hughes’ eyes.”
JoJo explained that she altered the ending because it made her happy, adding: “I’ll tell you this much: if it’s not obvious, that ending lyric is very much true.” Her comment prompted a huge cheer from the crowd.
Chris had attended JoJo’s first London show the previous night but was unable to make Tuesday’s performance.
Instead, JoJo brought the orange beanie Chris had given her while they were in the Celebrity Big Brother house. She said she had heard him singing one of her songs while she was still asleep.
She told the audience: “This morning I woke up and all I heard was [sings ‘Nobody Can Change Me’]. He was singing, so I thought I’d bring a little bit of him with me while I sing this next song.”
As the show ended, JoJo became emotional while responding to the crowd’s support. She told fans that, after once feeling like “one of the most hated people in the world,” she now felt “so special and so loved.”
