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Jonathan Van NessAmerican hairstylist, podcast host and television personality
Date of Birth: 28.03.1987
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Childhood and Early Life
- Personal Struggles and Self-Discovery
- Los Angeles and Career Breakthrough
- Media Career
- Queer Eye and Global Fame
- Books
- Personal Life
- Activism
Childhood and Early Life
Jonathan Van Ness was born on March 28, 1987, in Quincy, Illinois, to Mary Winters and Jonathan Lyle Van Ness. From a young age, he exhibited an affinity for expressing himself through fashion and style, despite facing criticism and harassment for his gender nonconformity.
Personal Struggles and Self-Discovery
Van Ness's early life was marked by adversity. He was sexually abused as a child and turned to online chat rooms for social connection, leading to sexual encounters with older men. His struggles with addiction to drugs and alcohol began during his first semester of college. After failing out of Arizona State University, he pursued hairdressing.
Los Angeles and Career Breakthrough
In Los Angeles, Van Ness found a new beginning, working as a personal assistant in a salon. In 2012, he was diagnosed with HIV, an experience that became a catalyst for personal growth and addiction recovery. He later became a co-founder of the Los Angeles-based hair salon, Suki Salon.
Media Career
In 2013, Van Ness's comedic impersonation of Daenerys Targaryen from "Game of Thrones" led to the creation of the web series "Gay of Thrones." He also launched his weekly podcast, "Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness," in 2015.
Queer Eye and Global Fame
Van Ness gained international recognition in 2018 as the grooming expert on Netflix's revival of "Queer Eye." His infectious personality, positive demeanor, and expertise in hair and skincare made him an instant fan favorite.
Books
Van Ness has authored three books: "Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love" (2019), an autobiography; "Peanut Goes for the Gold" (2020), an illustrated children's book; and "Love That Story: Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life" (2022), a collection of essays.
Personal Life
Van Ness identifies as non-binary. He prefers the pronouns "he/him" but also uses "she/her" and "they/them." He has been vocal about his experiences with psoriasis and HIV. In 2020, he married his partner, Mark Peacock.
Activism
Van Ness is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. He has met with political leaders to discuss the Equality Act and has supported candidates who prioritize healthcare access. He celebrated the Supreme Court's 2020 ruling recognizing LGBTQ+ workplace discrimination as a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
