How Derek Hough Really Feels About Jojo Siwa Having A Female Partner On DWTS

Jojo Siwa, who rose to fame as part of the Lifetime series "Dance Moms" and identifies as pansexual, will star on the new season of the hit ABC series "Dancing With the Stars," which begins Monday, September 20. The 18-year-old singer-dancer, who is in a relationship with Kylie Prew, is poised to break the mold by being the first contestant paired with a dance pro of the same gender (via Deadline). 

Independent reported that "DWTS" producers gave Siwa the option to partner with a female or male dance professional, and she chose a female. "I said I actually would love and prefer to dance with a girl," Siwa said. "Why not show the message even stronger that you can love whomever you want to love?"

Former "Dancing With the Stars" professional dancer and now judge Derek Hough was recently asked about JoJo Siwa's choice in partners. Here's what he had to say.

At the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, "Dancing With the Stars" judge Derek Hough took home the trophy for Best Choreography for a Variety or Reality Programming. Later in the evening, Deadline caught up with Hough and asked him what he thought about Jojo Siwa's decision to have a female partner for the 30th season of the popular television series. "For me, it's not really a big surprise," Hough said. "After living in the UK for 10 years, all-girl competitions are very, very common. I'm very excited to see it."

Hough also confirmed he'll be one of the judges during this season of "Dancing With the Stars," despite starting a new residency at the Venetian in Las Vegas. The busy schedule means that Hough plans to fly back and forth five days a week, which sounds nearly as tiring as what contestants like Siwa must do to learn and perfect a variety of different ballroom dances throughout the season. But, given her "Dance Moms" history, it seems like Siwa is up for the challenge.