Jonathan Van Ness reveals he’s H.I.V. constructive, opens up about sexual abuse and drug dependancy
Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness is ready to launch his memoir, Over the Prime, on September 24th. In anticipation, Van Ness spoke to the New York Occasions about his harrowing journey to attaining self-love.
Previous to ascending to actuality TV stardom as Queer Eye’s self-described “effervescent, gregarious majestic center-part-blow-dry cotton-candy figure-skating queen,” Van Ness’ early years have been outlined by episodes of abuse and dependancy.
As a baby, Van Ness stated he was the sufferer of sexual assault by an older boy from his church. In highschool, he was bullied for his femininity and met up with older males for intercourse. Throughout his first yr in faculty, he developed an dependancy to cocaine, which he paid for by promoting himself for intercourse. He finally flunked out and moved to LA, the place acquired hooked on meth. On the age of 25, after fainting whereas working at a hair saloon, Van Ness realized that he examined constructive for H.I.V.
After a number of stints in rehab, Van Ness achieved sobriety, and on the age of 26, his life was modified ceaselessly after assembly Humorous or Die comic Erin Gibson. The 2 conceived a parody collection referred to as Homosexual of Thrones, which led to alternatives as a red-carpet commentator and, ultimately, an audition for Netflix’s Queer Eye reboot. And the remainder is historical past.
“It’s onerous for me to be as open as I wish to be when there are specific issues I haven’t shared publicly,” Van Ness defined to the New York Occasions. “These are points that have to be talked about.”
“These are all tough topics to speak about on a makeover present about hair and make-up,” he later added. “That doesn’t imply Queer Eye is much less legitimate, however I would like folks to comprehend you’re by no means too damaged to be mounted.”
You possibly can learn the complete New York Occasions interview right here, and decide up a replica of Van Ness’ memoir right here.