Former Dance Moms star and singer JoJo Siwa has kicked off 2026 with a major personal rebrand, leaving her legion of fans buzzing with speculation. The 22-year-old, best known for her high-energy pop anthems like Karma, has officially changed her display name on TikTok from her famous stage moniker to her birth name, Joelle Siwa.
Fan Theories and a Nod to Romance
Observant followers were quick to notice the switch on her profile, sparking a wave of comments and theories. Many pointed a finger at her boyfriend, Love Island alum Chris Hughes, 33. Hughes has previously referred to the star by her full name, Joelle, on his own social media posts, leading fans to wonder if the change is a romantic gesture or signifies a new chapter for the couple.
In her final post of 2025, Siwa teased her future, lip-syncing to her 2016 hit Boomerang. The on-screen text read, ‘Any plans for 2026? Me,’ with the caption optimistically stating: ‘What a year it is ahead ✨?’ The comment section swiftly filled with New Year's wishes and remarks about her fresh identity.
Not a New Name, But a New Era
While some confused fans asked ‘who the hell is Joelle?’, others were quick to clarify that Joelle is, in fact, her real name, with JoJo having originated as a childhood nickname. One fan, Sydney, commented: ‘Her real name is Joelle, JoJo was just a nickname. Are y’all new here?’ Supporters praised the move, with user Little Legend writing, ‘Joelle suits you so much more. Such an iconic, unique name.’
The name change might be just the beginning of a transformative year for Siwa. She and Hughes, who met on the 2025 series of Celebrity Big Brother, have been openly discussing marriage. In a recent interview with The Sun’s Fabulous magazine, the couple revealed their thoughts on future engagements.
Wedding Bells on the Horizon?
Chris Hughes shared his unconventional take on proposals, stating, ‘I kinda like the idea of it not being at a time where it could be expected.’ He also noted that being proposed to would make him ‘really uncomfortable’. JoJo, however, set a playful but firm deadline, joking that if Chris didn't ask her to marry him within seven years, there would be consequences.
Hughes responded in kind, remarking, ‘It shouldn’t take you seven years to work out if you want to marry someone. So you can go off that and then that won’t ever happen.’ The couple has kept fans intimately updated on their relationship since confirming their romance, sharing loved-up snaps and interview details at every turn.
As 2026 unfolds, all eyes will be on Joelle 'JoJo' Siwa to see what other surprises she has in store, both personally and professionally.
