Jonathan Van Ness slammed the bombshell report claiming they had been emotionally “abusive” on the set of “Queer Eye” as being not “based mostly in actuality” almost 4 months after the piece was first revealed.
“I feel lots of people had been like searching for a cause to hate me or like searching for a cause to be like, ‘See, I all the time knew that they had been a pretend c–t and that is the proof,’” the truth star, who goes by they/he/she pronouns, said on the “Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware” podcast Tuesday.
“My household was so supportive of my husband and my workforce, however I didn’t even get on social media or, like, have a look at my telephone for 3 weeks.”
Van Ness, 37, mentioned they and their “Queer Eye” castmates first realized of the investigative profile in December 2023, and claimed that a variety of the knowledge gathered was “taken out of context” to make them look “as dangerous as attainable.”
“I feel individuals neglect irrespective of how well-known you might be you’re nonetheless an individual,” the TV character added.
“That article got here at like an extremely susceptible time, like for my hair care firm, for like my complete profession. It simply was actually tough.”
Van Ness then mentioned that the article was “overwhelmingly unfaithful” and allegedly carried out “in dangerous religion,” however admitted that there might have been instances once they snapped at individuals or “might have been higher.”
In March, Rolling Stone revealed the damning exposé, which accused Van Ness of “rage points.”
Seven manufacturing sources who spoke to the outlet claimed the hairstylist’s behind-the-scenes conduct contributed to the rift throughout the authentic Fab 5, alleging Van Ness would lash out at crew members.
“He didn’t need to ever share the highlight with anybody. There have been instances after we couldn’t even shoot scenes with sure members of the Fab 5 collectively as a result of it bought so dangerous,” one insider mentioned, referencing Van Ness’ co-stars Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Karamo Brown and Bobby Berk, who has since left the present.
Others described Van Ness as a “monster,” “nightmare” and “demeaning.”
“[There’s] an actual emotion of concern round them once they get indignant. It’s nearly like a cartoon the place it oozes out of them,” one supply defined.
“It’s intense and scary,” they went on, noting that Van Ness was a “yeller” who would explode at the least as soon as per week. One other supply mentioned there was all the time “stress” on the set, notably with Van Ness.
“When he comes on set, every part adjustments if he’s in a foul temper,” they defined. “Working with him may be very tough in any capability.”
The allegations starkly distinction Van Ness’ public persona, which made them a fan favourite amongst viewers of the Netflix hit.
“Jonathan’s an individual who comprises multitudes and who has the capability to be very heat, very charismatic, and has the capability to make you’re feeling actually particular that they’re listening to you,” one supply mentioned.
“However at the least as soon as a day, they would wish to yell at someone. It may be one thing small, however there’s all the time going to be someone to level out and blame and make the villain of the day.”
A separate manufacturing supply described the Cosmopolitan cover star, who has develop into a pioneer for trans rights issues, as “hypocritical.”
“As a lot good as he needs to do on the planet, I feel a variety of it is extremely hypocritical,” the supply mentioned.
“There’s a particular distinction between the ideas and the values that Jonathan stands for publicly. They’re actually centered round having this heat, love, and take care of different individuals.
“There’s an actual distinction between that and the best way that they deal with the people who find themselves closest to them throughout the board. It’s the other of what this individual is touted and paid to be.”
Berk, 42, who was the present’s design skilled, introduced his departure from the sequence in 2023 after eight seasons and later confirmed he had tension with France, 41.
Nonetheless, the British designer disputed the claim made in Rolling Stone’s piece that alleged he campaigned to get Berk fired so as to get his pal Jeremiah Brent the job.
France just isn’t the one individual to aim to poke holes within the scandalous report, although.
A number of former contributors — dubbed “Hometown Heroes” — came forward to defend Van Ness, claiming that they had all the time been “shiny and good” on set.
“Queer Eye,” which premiered in 2018, will return for a ninth season set in Las Vegas.
