Jonathan Van Ness

“Stay calm.” That’s Jonathon Van Ness’s advice. Of course, as someone so globally adored for giving advice he has more to say than “stay calm” – but this is what seems to stick out in his mind. At least this is where our conversation ends, one which has been fast-paced, one which has bounced everywhere from gossiping hairdressers to Olympic ice-skating routines, from coming out as gender non-conforming to his smokey relationship with Queer Eye co-star Antoni Porowski (more on that later).

“Growing up for me, I was very triggered and fearful,” Jonathan recalls. “Triggered and fearful about living my truth and living my truth authentically, and I think that I had good reason to be. Because, you know, I did grow up in a city, and in a culture that was not accepting of people like me.” Jonathan grew up in Quincy, Illinois and like many queer people who were reared in regional towns and villages, he felt the difficulties of not being celebrated for who he is. Of course, he’s aware he’s not alone in this and is quick to cite