JoJo Siwa’s Unwavering Stance: Challenging Candace Cameron Bure on LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Family Entertainment

In a compelling demonstration of personal conviction and commitment to advocacy, JoJo Siwa has solidified her position against Candace Cameron Bure’s recent comments and career trajectory regarding LGBTQ+ representation in entertainment. The 19-year-old multifaceted entertainer, celebrated for her vibrant persona and groundbreaking role as an openly gay public figure, has not hesitated to challenge Bure’s statements concerning “traditional marriage” and the deliberate exclusion of LGBTQ+ narratives within family-oriented programming. This renewed tension between the two celebrities underscores a vital conversation about the importance of authentic representation, true inclusion, and the ethical responsibilities that accompany celebrity platforms in our increasingly diverse society. JoJo’s forthright declaration, “I am being honest and maybe being a little disruptive to somebody’s life, but it’s what I believe in,” powerfully articulates her dedication to championing the LGBTQ+ community, even when it means confronting established figures within the industry.

The latest chapter of this public disagreement originated from Candace Cameron Bure’s revealing remarks about her transition from the Hallmark Channel to the Great American Family network. Bure, 46, confirmed her move earlier this month, explicitly stating her belief that Great American Family is committed to keeping “traditional marriage at the core” of its content. She further clarified that the network, with her significant influence, has no plans to feature gay lead characters in its upcoming cinematic productions. These statements quickly generated considerable debate and widespread criticism, particularly among LGBTQ+ advocates and allies. As a prominent face in the realm of family entertainment, Bure’s comments were widely interpreted as an endorsement of exclusionary practices and a regrettable regression in the ongoing movement for greater diversity and equity in media. Her deliberate emphasis on “traditional marriage” was perceived by many as a thinly veiled rejection of same-sex relationships, clashing sharply with the burgeoning demand for inclusive and representative storytelling across all media platforms.

JoJo Siwa, who courageously came out as gay in early 2021, swiftly emerged as one of the most visible and vocal critics of Bure’s remarks. For JoJo, who has become an inspiring role model for countless young individuals navigating their own identities and sexual orientations, Bure’s comments transcended mere industry discourse. They were a direct and personal slight against her, her friends, and the broader LGBTQ+ community she proudly represents. Her immediate response, in which she characterized Bure’s comments as “rude and hurtful,” resonated deeply with many who felt marginalized and invalidated by Bure’s public stance. This was far more than a simple celebrity squabble; it was a young, openly queer artist holding a veteran actress accountable for promoting views that actively exclude, diminish, and potentially harm the very community JoJo champions. Her bold and immediate outspokenness laid the groundwork for a more profound dialogue about the real-world impact of public statements and the significant responsibility that accompanies widespread influence.

In a subsequent interview on Sunday, November 20, at Disney+’s Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium special, JoJo provided further context for her principled stand. Speaking with PEOPLE, she articulated a profound awakening to the power of her platform and its potential to drive meaningful social change. “As I’m getting older, I’m starting to realize what an impact I really do get to have,” she explained, highlighting her evolving understanding of her social responsibility. This heightened sense of duty, she clarified, was the primary catalyst for her decision to speak out. Her resolute statement, “I am being honest and maybe being a little disruptive to somebody’s life, but it’s what I believe in,” serves as a testament to her unwavering conviction. JoJo openly acknowledged that her actions might cause discomfort or friction, but she unequivocally prioritized her deeply held beliefs and the well-being of her community over maintaining a polite silence. The significant wave of support she received after publicly expressing her views further fortified her resolve. “And so to have good people stand behind you with it felt really nice,” she added, underscoring the vital importance of solidarity and collective action in the realm of advocacy.

The candid conversation also touched upon the increasingly strained personal relationship between Siwa and Bure. JoJo, who once admired Candace as a childhood idol, openly admitted that she had not engaged with Bure directly about the “traditional family” comments and held very little expectation of any future dialogue with the Full Housealum. Her blunt assessment of the situation revealed a fundamental ideological rift rather than a mere celebrity disagreement. “That’s what’s f—ked up,” she stated, addressing the core of her grievance with raw honesty. JoJo clearly articulated a crucial distinction between personal beliefs and discriminatory actions: “You not liking gay marriage, do your thing girl. You being religious, do your thing girl. Of course, I would want everybody to do what they want to do. But to purposely exclude someone because of who they love, that’s sh—y.” This powerful differentiation illuminates a critical aspect of the ongoing debate surrounding religious freedom and LGBTQ+ rights—the difference between privately held convictions and actively establishing policies or creating content that intentionally excludes and harms a specific demographic. For JoJo, Bure’s deliberate choice to align with a network explicitly promoting “traditional marriage” and excluding gay leads represented a clear transgression from personal opinion into active and harmful discrimination.

In a thoughtful attempt to foster understanding and bridge ideological divides, JoJo suggested that Candace engage in a constructive conversation with GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. Ellis had previously extended this invitation to Bure via a November 16 tweet, unequivocally condemning the purposeful exclusion of non-straight couples. JoJo emphasized the immense educational value that such a dialogue could offer: “I would want her to have a conversation with GLAAD. Because even though I am educated, GLAAD is such an incredible organization.” She lauded Ellis’s profound expertise and insightful understanding, adding, “Sarah is a genius when it comes to the gay community. And I think that Candace having a conversation with her would be not only eye-opening to Candace but eye-opening to a whole world of people who might have those same beliefs.” This insightful suggestion underscores JoJo’s belief in the transformative power of informed discussion and the potential for genuine shifts in perspective through empathy, education, and open dialogue, rather than through mere condemnation or further division.

🧵It’s irresponsible and hurtful for Candace Cameron Bure to use tradition as a guise for exclusion. I’d love to have a conversation with Bure about my wife, our kids, and our family’s traditions. Bure is out of sync with a growing majority of people of faith,

— Sarah Kate Ellis (@sarahkateellis) November 16, 2022

The initial comments made by Candace Cameron Bure that ignited this latest round of criticism were first published in a Wall Street Journal article on November 14. JoJo wasted no time in responding, sharing a screenshot of the article on her influential Instagram account just the following day. Her accompanying caption powerfully articulated her profound disappointment and palpable frustration. “honestly, I can’t believe after everything that went down just a few months ago, that she would not only create a movie with intention of excluding LGBTQIA+, but then also talk about it in the press,” she wrote, pointedly referencing their earlier public dispute. JoJo unequivocally condemned Bure’s actions, concluding with a stark statement, “This is rude and hurtful to a whole community of people.” This swift and public rebuttal vividly demonstrated JoJo’s unwavering dedication to defending her community, refusing to allow such exclusionary statements to go unchallenged or unaddressed.

In response to the escalating backlash, Candace Cameron Bure released a comprehensive statement two days later, expressing her heartbreak that people might perceive her as a bigot. “All of you who know me, know beyond question that I have great love and affection for all people. It absolutely breaks my heart that anyone would ever think I intentionally would want to offend and hurt anyone,” she conveyed in her lengthy Instagram post. While Bure’s statement aimed to de-escalate tensions and clarify her personal intentions, it was met with a nuanced and often critical reception. Many critics argued that personal intent, while potentially benign, does not negate the actual impact of one’s words and actions. Regardless of her private sentiments, her public alignment with an explicitly exclusionary network sent a clear, damaging message to the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Her concluding declaration, “To everyone reading this, of any race, creed, sexuality, or political party, including those who have tried to bully me with name-calling, I love you,” attempted to project a message of universal love and acceptance, but many felt it regrettably failed to adequately acknowledge or address the specific harm caused by her original statements regarding LGBTQ+ representation in family programming.

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This latest escalation of public disagreements is, notably, not the first instance where JoJo Siwa and Candace Cameron Bure have found themselves in opposition. Just a few months prior, in July, a distinctly different kind of drama unfolded between the two stars. The initial conflict began when JoJo, in a widely circulated TikTok video posted on July 24, audaciously named Candace as the “rudest” celebrity she had ever encountered. This unexpected and viral accusation sent ripples throughout social media and segments of the entertainment industry. Candace responded with a seemingly sincere apology two days later, expressing genuine shock and profound remorse over having unintentionally caused pain to JoJo, particularly recalling a red carpet interaction when JoJo was only 11 years old. “I broke your 11-year-old heart. … Ugh. I feel crummy. JoJo, I’m so sorry,” Bure admitted, openly acknowledging the emotional distress she caused. She further expressed empathy as a mother, stating, “Especially as a mom, it breaks my heart that I made you feel that way and I’m sorry to your mom, too, that I did that to her daughter because I know if anyone crosses my kids, you know momma bear comes out.” This earlier incident, while less politically charged, undeniably established a precedent of tension between the two public figures, illustrating how public statements and interactions can carry significant weight and lasting impact.

The Fuller Housestar also recounted having what she described as a “great” conversation with JoJo following the initial TikTok drama, deliberately framing the entire experience as a valuable teachable moment. She leveraged the opportunity to offer advice to her followers on the pervasive power of words and actions, particularly amplified in the digital age. “And I think the lesson we can learn is to be mindful that no matter how many followers you have, you know, even a 10-second trending TikTok video can do damage because our words matter and our actions matter … we all influence the people around us, we influence people watching us on TikTok, we influence the people that we are with at home and to be mindful of what we do post even if it’s just kinda meant to be innocent and fun at the time,” Bure thoughtfully explained. This previous interaction, characterized by an apology and a call for greater mindfulness, stands in stark contrast to the current situation. The fundamental issue at hand now is not merely a perceived personal slight, but a deep, unresolvable ideological disagreement concerning fundamental human rights and the imperative for equitable representation. It powerfully highlights a significant shift in JoJo’s approach, evolving from personal forgiveness to unwavering, principled advocacy for a community whose very existence and rights are under scrutiny.

Despite Candace’s public apology for the “rudest celebrity” incident, JoJo’s perspective, as conveyed in a Page Six interview published on July 27, still revealed a lingering disappointment. However, she was careful to clarify that the single interaction did not intrinsically define Candace as an inherently bad person. “I will say because I had a bad experience, that doesn’t mean that she is an awful human,” JoJo noted. “I think it just was an inconvenient time for her, and little 11-year-old me was just so pumped up and so excited, but that doesn’t mean she’s the worst human ever.” This earlier, more nuanced and forgiving stance from JoJo contrasts starkly with her current, more definitive and resolute position. While she once extended grace for what she perceived as an “inconvenient time,” the present controversy involves a deliberate public statement and a significant career choice that carries profound implications for an entire community, including JoJo herself. This significant evolution in JoJo’s public discourse reflects her considerable growth, not only as an individual but as a potent and articulate advocate who deeply understands the critical distinction between a personal misstep and a principled stand on crucial issues of equality, respect, and inclusion. Her unwavering commitment to speaking her authentic truth, despite potential professional or personal repercussions, firmly establishes her as an indispensable voice in the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights and authentic, equitable representation in all forms of media.