Mickey Rourke’s time on Celebrity Big Brother hit a serious snag after comments he made to JoJo Siwa sparked outrage. The actor and former boxer, known for his roles in films like The Wrestler, reportedly made insensitive and homophobic remarks towards the queer pop star, leading to a formal warning from producers.
The tension unfolded during a heated exchange between Rourke and Siwa, where the Karma singer explained she was attracted to girls and currently in a relationship with her non-binary partner, Kath Ebbs. Things took a bizarre turn when Rourke allegedly told Siwa, “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.”
Siwa, unfazed, responded, “I can guarantee I’ll still be gay, and I’ll still be in a very happy relationship.” The young star’s response didn’t seem to deter Rourke, who later made troubling comments to other contestants, reportedly saying he wanted to “vote the lesbian out real quick,” which Siwa overheard. She called his words “homophobic, if that was your reasoning.”
However, the situation escalated when Rourke allegedly used a derogatory slur, saying, “I need a f*g,” before heading to the smoking area. He also reportedly made a gesture towards Siwa, adding, “I’m not talking to you.” This led to an official reprimand from Celebrity Big Brother producers, who informed Rourke that his language was “offensive and unacceptable” and warned him that any further incidents could result in his removal from the house.
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Rourke did offer an apology, downplaying the incident. “I don’t have dishonorable intentions,” he said. “I’m just talking smack, you know. I wasn’t taking it all so serious. I didn’t mean any bad intentions, and if I did, sorry.”
Unfortunately for Rourke, this isn’t his first controversy involving homophobic language. Back in 2009, he faced backlash after using the F-slur when speaking to a journalist, famously saying, “I don’t really give a f*ck.” He also made headlines in 2016 for defending boxer Manny Pacquiao’s anti-gay remarks, although he attempted to downplay his own position by saying, “I got a lot of gay friends. I’m a little bit gay myself,” before kissing a nearby man.
Mickey Rourke entering the Celebrity Big Brother house and JoJo Siwa immediately accosting him to join a conga line. Life can be beautiful. pic.twitter.com/pIaB0aNLUO
— Christo Geoghegan (@christo_tweets) April 7, 2025
Despite his apology, viewers of Celebrity Big Brother aren’t buying it. Many are calling for Rourke’s removal from the show, with some questioning how long he will last given the intense atmosphere in the house. On the other hand, Siwa has been praised for handling the situation with grace and continuing to be a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
As the drama unfolds, it’s clear that Siwa’s resilience in the face of Rourke’s comments has earned her support from fans and fellow contestants alike. Meanwhile, Rourke’s future on the show looks uncertain—especially when you consider the blossoming friendships in the house, including Danny Beard’s unexpected bond with former Member of Parliament Michael Fabricant.
Viewers will have to tune in to see what happens next. But one thing is clear: if Rourke continues down this path, his stay on Celebrity Big Brother could be short-lived.
