How Mackenzie Ziegler Really Feels About Jojo Siwa's New Image

In January, Nickelodeon star JoJo Siwa came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. The teen mogul announced the news through a series of videos and pictures posted on her social media pages. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Siwa describes her coming out story. "I told myself for a long time ... 'If I have someone to come out with, then I will come out,'" she tells the outlet.

Speculations regarding Siwa's sexuality began stirring after the YouTube star collaborated with Pride House LA on a TikTok video, which featured them lip-syncing to Paramore's "Ain't It Fun." After posting the video, Siwa called her girlfriend, Kylie Prew, and confessed that the post was "going to out [her]."

The post sent the internet into a frenzy, and Siwa decided to toy with everyone's suspicions. She posted a video of herself lip-syncing to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," a song often referred to as the LGBTQ+ community's anthem. That night, a member of Pride House LA texted the then 17-year-old, offering to take down the video due to the negative backlash. Siwa texted her back, confirming that she is in a "happy relationship with a girl."

The following morning, after confiding to her publicist that she wouldn't do anything else, Siwa confronted that chaos by posting a photo of herself wearing a t-shirt that reads, "Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever." Although Siwa faced scrutiny falling her coming out, she also received an outpour of love and support.

"Dance Mom" alum Mackenzie Ziegler rallied behind her friend and former co-star JoJo Siwa after coming out. In an interview with Access Hollywood, the "Masked Dancer" finalist shared how "proud" she is of the pop star.

"I texted her as soon as she came out," the TikTok sensation tells the outlet. "I was just telling her how proud I am of her and, you know she's such a big inspiration for young kids, and I'm just so glad she's sharing this with the world because it's definitely going to inspire a lot more girls and guys to come out to their families." Ziegler wasn't Siwa's only former "Dance Mom" cast member to support her. "Dance Moms" dance instructor Abby Lee Miller took to Instagram to express her love for Siwa.

"I always knew the world would be a more colorful, positive, sparkly place with a kind, loving, dazzling triple threat like you in it — a shining example for the kids out there to live their BEST lives each and every day," she wrote. The heartfelt post accompanied several throwback photos of the two. 

Following the tremendous support, the "Boomerang" singer took to Instagram to thank her fans. "There is so much love in the world, and it is so incredible," she said in the video (via ET Canada). "I have never ever been this happy before," Siwa added. "You can all tell how happy I am."