Mickey Rourke Faces Backlash for Remarks Towards JoJo Siwa on Celebrity Big Brother UK

Mickey Rourke is facing intense criticism after remarks he made about JoJo Siwa on “Celebrity Big Brother UK” were perceived as homophobic and inappropriate. On April 10, “Celebrity Big Brother U.K.” and ITV, the network broadcasting the show, shared footage from the latest episode highlighting these controversial interactions. In the video, Rourke is overheard making comments about Siwa while in the backyard, including a suggestion that he could alter the sexuality of the 21-year-old performer.

Neither ITV nor representatives for Siwa and Rourke provided comments to TODAY.com’s inquiries.

The initial exchange commenced when the 72-year-old actor inquired whether Siwa was attracted to boys or girls. “Girls. My partner is non-binary,” Siwa answered, referencing her current relationship with Kath Ebbs, an Australian influencer, as reported by E! News.

Rourke then commented, “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.” Siwa, a former “Dance Moms” star, calmly assured, “I can guarantee I’ll still be gay and in a very happy relationship.”

He countered with, “I’ll tie you up,” to which Siwa confidently replied, “I dare you to try. You’ll be the one tied up.”

The tension further escalated later in the episode as Siwa overheard Rourke telling fellow contestant and “Love Island UK” star Chris Hughes, “I’m going to vote the lesbian out real quick,” referencing her. “That’s homophobic, if that was your reasoning,” Siwa responded from nearby.

Hughes stood by her, advising Rourke, “No, you can’t do that, Mickey.” Siwa echoed, “You also can’t say that.”

Shortly after, Rourke loudly exclaimed, “I need a f—!” gesturing towards Siwa and emphasizing, “I’m not talking to you.” Again, Hughes intervened, cautioning, “Mickey, you can’t say that.” Following the heated exchange, Siwa expressed her disbelief to Hughes, “It’s crazy to me that that still exists,” before becoming visibly upset and beginning to cry, with Hughes offering comfort. Inside, Rourke was summoned to the diary room.

In the diary room, “Big Brother” addressed Rourke regarding his conduct, as outlined in ITV’s episode summary. A voice clarified, “Mickey, before entering the Big Brother house, the guidelines about unacceptable language and behavior were communicated to you.” His statements were recited back to him, with clarification, “Do you understand how this language could be offensive to your housemates or the viewers?”

Rourke acknowledged, “Yes, I do. It’s serious stuff.” He received an official warning, “Further language or behavior of this nature could lead to your removal from the Big Brother house. Do you understand, Mickey?” “Yes,” he confirmed, apologizing, “I don’t have dishonorable intentions — just talking smack, you know. I wasn’t taking it all so seriously. If I did cause any offense, I’m sorry.”

Eventually, Rourke addressed the housemates directly, apologizing to Siwa, “I want to apologize. I’ve got a habit of having a short fuse, and I don’t mean anything by it.”

In a subsequent conversation involving Rourke, Siwa, and castmate Danny Beard, a winner from “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK,” Rourke questioned the appropriateness of the term “drag.” Siwa reassured, “Anything is okay to say when the context and intention are clear… and if you err unknowingly and are open to learning, it’s all good.”

Despite Rourke’s apology, Siwa attributed his behavior as the basis for her “killer nomination” — the power for one contestant to designate another for eviction following a public vote. “He said some pretty hurtful things,” she explained. “In the Big Brother house, caring about others is essential, and his attitude definitely swayed my nomination easily.”

Siwa concluded, “I anticipate the public might not be thrilled with Mickey after witnessing today’s events, so it’s possible he might face eviction from the house.”