Full saga explained with Kath Ebbs and Celebrity Big Brother fallout

JoJo Siwa’s stint on Celebrity Big Brother 2025 proved dramatic not only for reality television but for her personal life, ending with a public breakup, a surge of speculation about a new romance, and renewed discussion about her sexual identity.

The American performer and former Dance Moms star, 22, became unexpectedly close to British reality TV personality Chris Hughes, 32, during their time on the show.

This relationship coincided with Siwa’s split from her then-partner, Australian DJ and podcaster Kath Ebbs, 27.

Hughes, best known for appearing in the third season of Love Island UK, had previously dated singer Jesy Nelson and participated in several reality formats.

His connection with Siwa gained public attention after he defended her against homophobic remarks made by fellow housemate Mickey Rourke, who was later removed from the show following a verbal altercation.

From that point on, Siwa and Hughes were seen frequently together in intimate, though non-explicit, moments.

Siwa crawled into Hughes’s bed, they spooned during nightly chats, and exchanged forehead kisses — all while cameras rolled. “Why didn’t you dream about me then?” Siwa quipped at one point, after Hughes confessed he missed her while sleeping.

On screen, Siwa also made a significant personal revelation about her identity.

Speaking to fellow housemate Danny Beard, she said, “I’ve always told myself I’m a lesbian… I’ve realised: Oh, I’m not a lesbian, I’m queer.” Siwa added, “F— the L, I’m going to the Q.”

Shortly after the show ended, Ebbs posted a lengthy Instagram Reel revealing that Siwa ended their relationship during the wrap party.

“I was in a complete state of shock,” Ebbs said, noting the relationship had been serious enough that Siwa had spoken about marriage.

Ebbs said they felt “betrayed” and described watching Siwa’s interactions with Hughes on television as “unsettling.”

Responding on This Morning, Siwa and Hughes said their bond was intense but platonic.

“You can have a soulmate friendship,” Hughes said. Siwa confirmed the breakup but explained that it occurred after an unplanned conversation during the wrap party. “I wasn’t happy,” she admitted.

Though neither party has officially confirmed a romantic relationship, speculation has intensified.

On 1 June, Hughes shared Instagram photos of a “spa and Dr Mario night” with Siwa’s father, Tom Siwa. Meanwhile, Siwa’s mother, Jessalynn, uploaded footage showing her daughter cuddling and kissing Hughes on the head during a family game night.

Both Hughes and Siwa posted “photo dumps” to social media showing them looking increasingly comfortable together, further fuelling dating rumours.

Siwa also marked the beginning of Pride Month with a heartfelt Instagram message. “What I have learned over the last 22 years is that pride is all about love, acceptance, and celebration,” she wrote.

While the exact nature of Siwa and Hughes’s relationship remains unclear, their evolving bond — broadcast to millions — has prompted open discussions around friendship, identity, and the often-complicated overlap between public and private life in the reality television age.