Actor Mickey Rourke has received a formal warning from the producers of “Celebrity Big Brother” U.K. for making homophobic comments towards fellow housemate JoJo Siwa. The incident began when Rourke asked Siwa if she liked boys or girls. Siwa, who is openly gay and in a relationship with a non-binary partner, responded that she likes girls.
Rourke then made a controversial remark, saying, “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.”
Siwa firmly countered, “I can guarantee I’ll still be gay, and I’ll still be in a very happy relationship.”
The tension escalated when Rourke told another housemate, Chris Hughes, that he was “going to vote the lesbian out real quick.” Siwa overheard the remark and confronted Rourke, stating, “That’s homophobic if that was your reasoning.”
During a later conversation, Rourke loudly proclaimed that he “needed a f-g,” referring to a cigarette, but gestured towards Siwa. Chris Hughes quickly intervened, telling Rourke that his language was inappropriate, while Siwa urged everyone to stay calm. Following these incidents, Rourke was called into the show’s diary room, where Big Brother informed him that his language was offensive and unacceptable, resulting in a formal warning.
Rourke responded, “I understand that.
Rourke controversy in Big Brother
I apologize.
I don’t have dishonorable intentions. I’m just talking smack, you know?”
Rourke later approached Siwa to personally apologize, saying, “I want to apologize. I’ve got a habit of having a short fuse, and I don’t mean nothing by it.
I do mean [I’m sorry]. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t say it to you.” Siwa accepted the apology, stating that she appreciated his words. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing and preventing homophobia in a public forum.
“Celebrity Big Brother” U.K. continues to air weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX.
