JoJo Siwa confirms she's a part of the LGBTQ community and says she's the happiest she's 'ever been' as she opens up about her sexuality

• JoJo Siwa confirmed she's a part of the LGTBQ community during an Instagram Live video on Saturday.
• Siwa sparked rumors that she was coming out with two TikTok videos and a Twitter post last week.
• Celebrities and fans alike have shared an outpouring of support on social media.

It's official: JoJo Siwa has confirmed she's a part of the LGBTQ community.

The Nickelodeon star opened up about her sexuality to her 10.3 million Instagram followers on Saturday with an Instagram Live video.

"Personally I have never, ever, ever been this happy before and it feels really awesome. I've been happy for a little bit now," Siwa, 17, said from her Los Angeles home.

"You guys probably haven't seen me this happy since I was on tour!" she added.

Siwa nearly broke the internet last week when she posted two TikTok videos that hinted at her coming out.

The first video featured the "Dance Moms" alum lip-syncing to Lady Gaga's queer anthem "Born This Way" while wearing rainbow-themed bows and a similar hoody. The second video sported the hashtag "#pridehouseLA."

And she doubled down one day later and surprised fans with a now-viral Twitter photo. In the photo, Siwa donned a t-shirt reading "Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever."

Siwa later said she's been a part of the LGBTQ community her entire life.

"Because my whole life, I've really really been, I just liked people, but I have never fallen in love before," Siwa began.

"But I always believed that my person was just going to be my person," she said. "If that person happened to be a boy, great! And if that person happened to be a girl, great! I think I'm just really happy. I think in life you know when you meet your person, I really do."

When a fan asked Siwa about her sexual identity, she admitted she's not ready to put a label on it yet. Fans previously cautioned others not to label Siwa until she does so herself.

"I have thought about this, but the reason I'm not going to say this answer is because I don't really know this answer," said Siwa. "I think humans are awesome, I think humans are really incredible people. Right now, I'm super-duper happy and I want to share everything with the world but I also want to keep things in my life private until they are ready to be public."

Siwa added: "Right now what matters is that you guys know that no matter who you love, that it's okay. It's awesome and the world is there for you."

Siwa said her family has been very supportive of her decision to come out.

"You know what my dad said? He said, 'Hey man, love is universal.' My parents have known," Siwa said on Instagram Live, adding that her mother has known for some time.

"My mom said she's known for the last two years," she said. "She's like, 'I just know with you!' Around two years ago, she was like, 'I don't think you only like boys, that's totally okay.'"

In the Instagram Live video, Siwa also addressed her fans and encouraged them to live their truth regardless of other's opinions.

"I know everyone's situation is different and it might be harder for some people and easier for some people to come out or be themselves but I think coming out has this stigma around it - that it's this really, really scary thing, but it's not anymore," said Siwa.

She continued, "Of course people are going to say it's not normal, but nothing is normal. Literally, not one thing about anybody is normal and it's okay not to be normal, it's okay to be a little different, it's okay to be a little weird, strange, different. That's something we should never, ever be afraid of. That's something we should be proud of."

After speculation began, a number of internet celebrities like YouTubers Colleen Ballinger and Casey Neistat offered their support.

She added, "I'm the happiest I've ever been, that's what matters."

Read More

• People scrutinizing JoJo Siwa's appearance are hurting young women in the spotlight - and setting a terrible example for their younger fans
• JoJo Siwa appeared to confirm coming out speculation, wearing a 'best gay cousin ever' shirt
• A JoJo Siwa card game for kids was pulled after parents criticized 'inappropriate' questions about kissing, being naked, twerking, and stealing