The fallout from Mickey Rourke’s chaotic stint on Celebrity Big Brother continues to reverberate, with JoJo Siwa’s mother, Jessalynn Siwa, delivering a scathing rebuke of the actor’s behavior toward her daughter. In an emotional Instagram video posted just before Rourke’s exit on April 12, 2025, Jessalynn expressed deep sadness and fear, admitting she watched the show dreading that Rourke’s verbal attacks could escalate to physical aggression. Her comments, amplified by JoJo’s partner Kath Ebbs, have fueled fan outrage and reignited debates about the show’s casting choices. This article delves into Jessalynn’s reaction, the context of Rourke’s actions, and the broader implications, drawing from recent coverage and social media sentiment.
Mickey Rourke was booted out of the house just after Jessalynn Siwa shared that she was ‘really sad’ watching JoJo on CBB(Image: Getty Images)
Jessalynn’s Emotional Outcry
Jessalynn Siwa, 50, a former Dance Moms coach, spoke out on April 11 after Rourke’s homophobic remarks targeting her daughter, JoJo, 21, aired on ITV1. In a tearful Instagram video, she said, “I’m not surprised, honestly. I wasn’t surprised that he didn’t go home. I knew he wouldn’t. I’m really sad, though, that I sent my kid to a foreign country to do a TV show and she got treated like that—right out of the gate.” She praised JoJo’s resilience, adding, “I think she handled it great. … I’m just lucky she can handle herself. I’m just lucky she is OK.” However, Jessalynn’s relief was tempered by fear, as she later wrote on social media, “To be honest, this is exactly what I was afraid of, something physical,” predicting Rourke’s behavior could worsen.
Her fears stemmed from Rourke’s pattern of aggression. On April 8, he asked JoJo about her sexuality, saying, “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore,” after she confirmed she’s a lesbian with a nonbinary partner, Kath Ebbs. JoJo firmly replied, “I can guarantee I’ll still be gay and in a very happy relationship.” Rourke later escalated, saying he’d “vote the lesbian out real quick” and used a homophobic slur while gesturing at her, claiming he meant “cigarette.” These comments, aired on April 9, earned him a formal warning from Big Brother. Jessalynn’s video addressed this “culture of negativity” around JoJo, lamenting, “It’s become a game: ‘Let’s hate her. Let’s tell her she’s a bad dancer. Let’s tell her you’ll make her not a lesbian.’”
After Rourke’s exit on April 12—triggered by a heated clash with Chris Hughes and inappropriate remarks to Ella Rae Wise—Jessalynn doubled down. “I thought it was a good thing he was axed,” she posted, per The Mirror, noting her relief that JoJo avoided physical harm. Kath Ebbs echoed her, calling Rourke a “bully” whose comments were “rooted in misogyny and f**king violence.” In Instagram Stories, Kath said, “I would not want to be alone in a room with him, and I wouldn’t want anyone to be,” branding him a “dangerous person.” Their combined outrage has kept Rourke’s behavior in the headlines, with fans rallying behind JoJo.
Jessalynn said she was always ‘afraid’ that Mickey would turn physical after all of his outbursts, only to see it play out on screen(Image: ITV)
Rourke’s House Chaos
Rourke’s six-day tenure was a masterclass in controversy. Beyond targeting JoJo, he made Ella Rae Wise cry with sexual comments, telling her, “You don’t need that LED mask, you need to run around the block,” implying she was overweight. In the Diary Room, Ella said, “I’m a young girl, not a piece of meat.” He also reduced Patsy Palmer to tears by criticizing her cooking and clashed with Chris Hughes during a pirate-themed task, swearing at him for a perceived “side-eye.” ITV cited “threatening and aggressive” behavior for his removal, though no physical altercation occurred. Rourke apologized in the Diary Room, saying, “I’m ashamed of getting that hot. … I wanted to leave yesterday,” suggesting he was already unraveling.
His £500,000 fee, the season’s highest, was slashed to an estimated £50,000, per The Sun, due to misconduct clauses. Sources told Daily Mail that producers knew Rourke would be a “bad boy,” but his rapid escalation—homophobic slurs, misogyny, and aggression—crossed lines even they couldn’t ignore. Fans on X speculated ITV milked his chaos for ratings, with one writing, “They kept Mickey for drama, then ditched him when it got too real.” Viewership hit 1.74 million for his exit episode, per Radio Times, proving the gamble paid off, but at what cost?
Fan and Housemate Reactions
JoJo’s handling of Rourke’s attacks won widespread praise. Fans on X called her “mature” and “kind,” with one posting, “JoJo’s patience with Mickey was saint-level. She’s the people’s princess.” Another wrote, “Her shutting him down so calmly broke my heart—she shouldn’t have to.” Chris Hughes, who comforted JoJo and called out Rourke, earned ally points, with Kath Ebbs thanking him as a “cis straight white man” for stepping up. However, Kath criticized other housemates’ silence, saying, “It’s disappointing no one else had her back.”
Inside the house, reactions to Rourke’s exit were mixed. On April 13’s episode, Trisha Goddard shouted, “Told you!” when Big Brother announced his departure, while Ella wondered if he left voluntarily. JoJo, tasked with packing his bags, stayed composed but nominated him earlier for his “hurtful” words, saying, “You have to care about others in this house.” Her bond with Chris, marked by playful moments like her writing on his hand, has fueled fan theories of a “final two,” though Ella’s recent nomination of Chris as “fake” complicates things.
Jessalynn’s Fears in Context
Jessalynn’s fear of physical escalation wasn’t baseless. Rourke, a former boxer with a history of volatile behavior—like a 2011 TMZ clip where he used the same slur—has long courted controversy. His Big Brother antics, from grabbing AJ Odudu on launch night to bullying housemates, suggested a man unbound by rules. A 2023 Variety piece on reality TV noted stars like Rourke are cast for unpredictability, but Jessalynn’s concern reflects a real risk: a 2024 Ofcom report logged rising complaints about physical confrontations on UK reality shows, with 15% citing “unsafe” environments.
JoJo’s own history adds weight to Jessalynn’s protectiveness. Since coming out as LGBTQ+ in 2021, JoJo has faced relentless online hate, as Jessalynn alluded to in her video. A 2024 GLAAD study found 70% of queer celebrities experience digital harassment, and JoJo’s Dance Moms fame made her a target. Her decision to join Big Brother in the UK, far from her Nebraska roots, was a bold move, but Jessalynn’s sadness over sending her “kid” into such a space underscores the emotional toll.
Broader Implications
The Rourke-Siwa clash has sparked calls for better casting vetting. The Independent called his behavior “ITV’s shame,” arguing he should’ve been removed sooner. Fans on X agree, with one tweeting, “Why cast Mickey when his history screams trouble? JoJo deserved better.” Yet, producers’ strategy—pairing a “diverse” cast with a known wildcard—drove ratings, suggesting a cynical tradeoff. A source told Daily Mail, “Big Brother knew what they were doing with Mickey,” implying JoJo’s distress was collateral damage for “car-crash TV.”
For JoJo, the ordeal has bolstered her image as a resilient star. Her This Morning appearance on April 9, discussing the nomination, showed poise, and fans predict she’s a top contender, per Express odds. Jessalynn’s outspokenness, meanwhile, mirrors her Dance Moms era, where she fiercely defended JoJo against Abby Lee Miller. Her fear of Rourke turning physical, though unrealized, highlights the stakes for families watching loved ones enter reality TV’s pressure cooker.
Looking Ahead
With Rourke gone, Celebrity Big Brother refocuses on brewing conflicts, like Ella Rae Wise’s nomination drama and Trisha Goddard’s advocacy. JoJo remains a fan favorite, but Jessalynn’s comments linger, a reminder of the human cost behind the spectacle. “It’s not worth it for ones in the room with him,” she said of Rourke, a sentiment Kath Ebbs echoed by calling his actions a “rape joke” rooted in “misogyny.” Their words have galvanized support, with X users posting, “Jessalynn’s right—JoJo’s safety matters more than ratings.”
As the show airs weeknights at 9 PM, the question remains: will ITV learn from this misstep, or chase more chaos? For now, Jessalynn’s fears—and her pride in JoJo’s strength—have turned a reality TV scandal into a broader conversation about accountability, allyship, and the price of fame.
