JoJo Siwa is loved by millions of children and known around the world for her animated videos and extremely large and colorful hair ties, but after she publicly shared this week that she is a member of the LGBTQ + community, she has received even more attention.
And while most were in the form of a show of love and support, not everyone was satisfied with the announcement of the 17-year-old star.
In an Instagram video – in which she said, “Now that the world can see this side of my life, it makes me very, very happy” and that “there is so much love in the world” – someone took the comments section with a painful observation.
“My daughter will never take care of you again,” wrote the mother.
JoJo could have answered this homophobic comment correctly in several ways, but she chose a single word that left her followers absolutely amazed.
“OK!” she countered.
tbh icon behavior pic.twitter.com/MLFsrZxbOe
– casey ★ fraggle rock fans, be my moot🎅 (@wembleyswish) January 24, 2021
This four-letter word got more than 23,000 likes and JoJo even retweeted a screenshot of the exchange. It was not only the definitive answer to the “right way”, but it probably served as a simple but clear sign that those who do not approve of who she is can move on.
As a fan on Twitter called it, the change was “icon behavior”.
What’s more, it was a powerful reminder for fans of all ages – and of any identity – that they deserve love, understanding and respect. For every hateful mother, it seems, there are thousands of children like this:
People don’t realize how important it is for LGBT children to see people like them on TV and in the media. Heterosexual children can also learn what it is like to take on and treat other children with love and respect, even if the ones they love are not the same. Jojo Siwa captured 🥺 https://t.co/K2zJAm4nY2
– IG @ Drebaexo (@Drebae_) January 25, 2021