JoJo Siwa addresses backlash for using fake bulge on magazine cover

JoJo Siwa is getting candid about the “brutal” backlash she faced for posing with a fake bulge for a recent magazine cover.

When appearing last week on Podcast “Fala Tuah” hosted by Haliey Welch, known as the viral “Hawk Tuah Girl,” the singer and dancer said it was “very difficult” to be criticized for the viral photo shoot, in which she sported a stunning fake bulge.

“It’s brutal,” she told Welch. “It’s very difficult. People are just idiots.

In the September photo shoot for LadyGunn, Siwa also posed in a strapless top with jewels, nipples and simulated abs, which she paired with gold combat boots.

The “Dance Moms” alum explained her decision to wear the controversial accessory.

“The rock bump is – we were just giving it a little spice, a little gender change, a little, you can be whatever you want,” Siwa said. “I was just spicing it up a bit.”

Siwa then compared her shiny, bulging look to Harry Styles’ controversial 2020 Vogue cover, in which he wore several traditionally feminine outfits, including skirts and dresses.

“It’s like when Harry Styles wore a dress,” Siwa noted. “Obviously, wearing a bulge is a little different than wearing a dress.”

Welch responded, “You stood out. But I think you should do more of that.

Siwa explained that she likes to push boundaries and get into the “risk zone” with her sets.

“One thing about me is that I like being around people who are different, people who don’t fit in, and people who just aren’t afraid to take risks,” Siwa said. “I want to be that person, I have to go as far as I can into the risk zone. I have to explore the risk zone to see what it’s like.”

Last month, the “Karma” singer turned heads with yet another bold fashion look at the Christian Cowan show at New York Fashion Week.

Siwa appeared at the September 8 parade dressed as a giant ball covered in black fur. She paired the baring outfit with furry green knee-high boots and coordinating green makeup.

At the event, the former Nickelodeon star told E! News that she and her team have saved every outfit she’s worn publicly since she was 9 years old.

“Everything I’ve ever used publicly, like for a music video, for a performance, we have in an archive,” Siwa told the channel. “So, I have everything saved, since I was 9 years old – everything I used on TV. There are many things. We have to clean it up one day.