If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok or Snapchat lately, you’ve probably seen the chaos. One minute she’s wearing a lacy white veil, the next she’s flashing a $2,000 Cartier ring. It’s a lot. Honestly, keeping up with JoJo Siwa’s love life in 2026 feels like trying to track a glittery hurricane. Everyone is asking the same thing: Who is JoJo Siwa's boyfriend, and are they actually getting married, or is this just another masterclass in JoJo-style trolling?
The answer is Chris Hughes.
Yeah, the British guy from Love Island. If that feels like a random pairing to you, you aren't alone. It’s been months since they went public, and people are still trying to wrap their heads around how a Nickelodeon alum from Nebraska and a 33-year-old reality star from the English countryside became the "it" couple of the year.
How JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes Actually Met
It wasn't a Hollywood party or a DM slide. This whole thing started in April 2025 on the set of Celebrity Big Brother UK.
JoJo was 21 at the time, still identifying as a lesbian and actually in a relationship with Australian dancer Kath Ebbs. Chris was the older, protective figure in the house. They spent 19 days trapped together, and viewers started noticing a "soulmate" vibe that felt way deeper than just being housemates. Chris even stepped in to defend her during some pretty nasty homophobic confrontations with other contestants.
That kind of trauma-bonding in a reality TV pressure cooker changes things.
When the show ended, the breakup with Kath was messy. Like, "dumped at the wrap party" messy. Kath later went on podcasts saying JoJo had "confused feelings" from the house. By June 2025, those feelings weren't confused anymore. JoJo told The Guardian that her bond with Chris was "not platonic anymore" and that she was "head over heels."
Why This Relationship is Different
We’ve seen JoJo date before. There was Mark Bontempo (the brief "straight" era), Kylie Prew (the first big coming out), Avery Cyrus, and Dakayla Wilson. But those felt like young love—fleeting, TikTok-heavy, and often ending in "right person, wrong time" captions.
With Chris, it’s... weightier?
- The Age Gap: There’s a 10-year difference. He’s 33, she’s 22. In Hollywood years, that’s a lifetime, but they both claim they’re on the same energy level.
- The International Factor: She’s been spending a massive amount of time in the UK. She even spent her first Christmas away from her family in 2025, heading to the Cotswolds to be with his parents.
- The Name Change: This is a big one. On New Year’s Eve 2025, JoJo changed her TikTok name to Joelle Siwa. It’s her birth name, and apparently, Chris has been calling her Joelle in private for a while. It signals a move away from the "JoJo" brand and toward a more adult identity.
Are They Actually Engaged?
This is where it gets tricky. In early January 2026, JoJo posted a Snapchat of herself in a wedding dress with the caption "Call me a wife!!!"
Naturally, the internet imploded.
But if you look closer, she was actually messing around with AI prompts, asking the tech to "turn me into a bride." It was a tease. A "stunt," as some critics call it. However, the ring is very real. Chris bought her a Cartier ring that she’s been showing off, though they both insist it’s a "commitment" thing rather than a formal engagement.
They did an interview with The Sun recently where they talked about marriage. Chris is traditional—he thinks a Christmas proposal is tacky because everyone does it. JoJo, being JoJo, told him that if he doesn't ask within seven years, she’s going to do it herself. She even set a deadline: May 27, 2032.
The Family Dynamic
Usually, when a child star dates someone significantly older, the parents freak out. Not the Siwas. Jessalynn and Tom Siwa apparently "adore" Chris. He’s been seen in the background of family TikToks and was even included in JoJo’s brother Jayden’s wedding festivities.
It’s interesting because Chris has been in the public eye for eight years. He knows how the "fame game" works, which might be why he fits into the Siwa orbit so easily. He’s used to the cameras, the rumors, and the constant need for content.
What’s Next for Joelle and Chris?
Expect 2026 to be the year of "Joelle." She’s clearly trying to shed the neon bows and the "Karma" era image for something more grounded.
Whether this relationship lasts until her 2032 deadline is anyone's guess. Long-distance between LA and London is brutal, even if you have private jet money. But right now, Chris Hughes isn't just a boyfriend; he’s the catalyst for the biggest rebrand of her career.
If you're following this story, keep an eye on her Snapchat stories rather than her official music videos. That's where the real "Joelle" is showing up—wedding dresses, AI filters, and all.
What you can do next:
If you're trying to keep up with the "Joelle" transition, follow her updated TikTok handle @joellesiwa. The "JoJo" accounts are mostly archival now, and the new content is where you'll see the actual day-to-day life with Chris. Also, keep an eye on UK tabloids like The Sun or Daily Mail; since Chris is a British staple, they often get the scoops before the US media does.