Not only did quarterback Ty Dieffenbach keep the UCLA Bruins unbeaten on Saturday with a win over Nevada, the quarterback also saw an old friend at the Rose Bowl. Following the 27-0 win, Dieffenbach was greeted by old friend JoJo Siwa, who gave Dieffenbach a celebratory hug postgame.
Siwa, the celebrity dancer/influencer, filmed a TikTok video with Dieffenbach years ago where the quarterback showed off his dancing abilities. Years later, the two got to reunite after Dieffenbach helped UCLA improve to 8-0.
The Siwa-Dieffenbach connection is a hilariously random duo for UCLA football in 2026. Dieffenbach entered the season as the likely third-string quarterback and now he’s the starter for a team with College Football Playoff aspirations who happens
to have known a Gen-Z celebrity that has already had a full 15 minutes of fame.
Dieffenbach was asked about Siwa in his postgame press conference, with Dieffenbach explaining that the connection actually stems from his mother.
“My mom was her studio teacher when she was younger and I was really young, and our families just got really close,” Dieffenbach said when asked how he knows Siwa. “We’re good friends now.”
They’re really asking anything at these press conferences 😭 pic.twitter.com/W92nRvVXHe
— UCLA Moneyline (@UCLAMoneyline) November 1, 2026
Along with his friendship with Siwa, Dieffenbach has been a capable replacement for Nico Iamaleava. Dieffenbach has thrown for 683 yards with four total touchdowns and one interception. The UCLA offense has been less dynamic under Dieffenbach than it was with Iamaleava but the former Cal Poly quarterback has kept things afloat for the Bruins.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: 'We're good friends now' UCLA QB Ty Dieffenbach on dancer JoJo Siwa
