Jonathan Van Ness is the high-energy breakout star of Netflix’s Queer Eye, the fabulous hair stylist who has helped to transform the looks – and hearts – of deserving “heroes” across America.
Jonathan, 38, has parlayed his role as the show’s grooming expert into a career that encompasses a hit podcast, a popular haircare line and several best-selling books. Yet he has always remained true to his roots in comedy, and is now embarking on a tour titled Hot & Healed, arriving in the UK in May.
Difficult topics
Also known by his initials, JVN, the star is not afraid to speak candidly about difficult topics, revealing in his 2019 memoir Over the Top that he had struggled with addiction and that he is non-binary and HIV positive.
Jonathan with his Queer Eye costars Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, Tan France and Antoni Porowski in 2019
Today, Jonathan is happily married to British-born Mark Peacock and calls Austin, Texas home. Here, he discusses what to expect from his tour, how he felt about the end of Queer Eye in January and how he keeps his famous mane so glossy.
Jonathan, what can audiences expect from your tour?
“A night of queer joy and community where you can forget about some of the dumpster fire happening in the world. It’s about healing from the patriarchy, finding freedom to express yourself and taking care of your community while you do it.
“I don’t see any comedians who look like me talking about racism and sexism and ageism in a way that brings people together and also empowers us to do our own research and try to make things better in our lives through comedy and laughter.”
Your husband is coming to the UK with you. Will you catch up with his family?
“Oh yes. His dad’s seen my show and I think his mom has, too; she’s a hairdresser, so we have a lot to talk about. We’re going to come a few days early and stay a few days late. I love meandering about and seeing our friends.”
What do you like to do when visiting London?
“My favourite thing to do is to eat an English breakfast. My second favourite thing is to eat sticky toffee pudding. My third favourite thing is to eat a gorgeous Sunday roast. I really do love British food. I also love British people.”
Queer Eye has just finished its ten-season run. How do you feel?
“The show changed my life in every single way and I’m so grateful for that. Before then, I was doing stand-up comedy at open mic nights in Los Angeles for 20 people. If you’d told me when I started filming the show in 2017 that I would have a haircare line that’s carried at Space NK, I would have said you were on a very strong type of drug that hadn’t been studied yet and we should probably get you to the emergency room.
“Now, I feel a sense of relief. I worked so hard and poured myself into it for such a long time, so I’m excited to move on but with so much gratitude. I’ve had to balance a lot, so I’m pleased to have one less thing on my plate.”
Will you stay in touch with your castmates? Karamo Brown recently said he had felt ‘bullied’
“When I think back about the places we’ve travelled to and the people we’ve met, they were so singular. I wouldn’t change what we got to share – that’s so special and amazing, and I’m very proud of us for navigating work together.
“Although I’ll maintain relationships with some of the cast, there are other relationships that are for seasons in your life. And just because you don’t talk to someone or they’re not in your life in this season, it doesn’t mean that you don’t treasure or respect or have gratitude for the times you spent together.”
You recently renamed your podcast from Getting Curious to Getting Better…
“It still has that heart of curiosity, but I used to go from learning about sea turtles to the history of Australia to ‘how do heart attacks happen?’ Now, it’s more about work-life balance and understanding the world around us better with a little bit of psychology and wellness.”
You’ve said that you like to connect with joy. How do you do that?
“Moving my body connects me to joy, as well as my pets, my family and self-care, whether that’s a little bath or doing a little hair care. Also, I love watching something that makes me laugh.”
You have the shiniest hair on TV. Which products do you use?
“Our JVN Hair Rapid Repair Bond Gloss is the most insane, beautiful shine-enhancing treatment of all time. I also use our Pre-Wash Scalp Oil and our Nurture Mask. Those three things are the trifecta of what enabled me to grow my hair this long and bleach the living crap out of it and be able to wear its natural texture so consistently.”
© Photo: Getty Images
