Jonathan Van Ness is a celebrated television personality, hairstylist, author, and LGBTQ+ advocate. Born on March 28, 1987, in Quincy, Illinois, he pursued his passion for hairstyling at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. JVN rose to fame as the grooming expert on the Netflix reboot of Queer Eye, which premiered in 2018.
Known for his infectious energy and heartfelt life advice, he quickly became a fan favorite. Before Queer Eye, he gained recognition through the Emmy-nominated web series Gay of Thrones, where he humorously recapped episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones. He also hosts the podcast Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, diving into diverse topics with experts and thought leaders.
JVN is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV awareness. In 2019, he revealed he is HIV-positive, using his platform to combat stigma and educate others about prevention and treatment. Identifying as non-binary, JVN embraces both he/him and they/them pronouns, further championing inclusivity and self-acceptance. In his personal life, he married Mark Peacock in 2020 in a private ceremony.
Here are some key facts about him:
Personal Background
- Full Name: Jonathan McDonald Van Ness.
- Birthdate: March 28, 1987.
- Birthplace: Quincy, Illinois, USA.
- Education: Studied at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to become a professional hairstylist.
Career Highlights
- “Queer Eye”: JVN is best known as the grooming expert on the Netflix reboot of Queer Eye, which debuted in 2018. His bubbly personality and life advice have made him a fan favorite.
- Podcast Host: Hosts the podcast Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, where he explores a variety of topics with experts and thought leaders.
- Web Series: Gained popularity with the web series Gay of Thrones, a comedic recap of HBO’s Game of Thrones, which earned him an Emmy nomination.
Advocacy and Activism
- LGBTQ+ Advocacy: An outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, JVN frequently uses his platform to promote acceptance and understanding.
- HIV Awareness: In 2019, JVN revealed that he is HIV-positive and has since become a vocal advocate for destigmatizing HIV/AIDS and raising awareness about prevention and treatment.
Personal Life
- Non-Binary Identity: Identifies as non-binary and uses he/him, they/them pronouns.
- Marriage: Married Mark Peacock in 2020 in a small ceremony.
Other Interests and Achievements
- Author: Has written multiple books, including the memoir Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love and the children’s book Peanut Goes for the Gold.
- Figure Skating and Gymnastics: Passionate about figure skating and gymnastics, often sharing his progress in these disciplines on social media.
- Hair Salon: Continues to work as a hairstylist and owns a salon in Los Angeles.
Fun Facts
- JVN often refers to fans and friends as “gorge” (short for gorgeous).
- His upbeat, motivational attitude has inspired many, and he frequently shares positive affirmations and self-care tips online.
