Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness reveals he's HIV positive
Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness has revealed he is HIV positive.
The fan favourite made the admission in a sit-down interview with The New York Times, ahead of the release of his memoir, Over The Top.
Jonathan, 32, told the publication he was told he was carrying the virus when he was 25 years old after he collapsed while highlighting a client's hair.
"I've had nightmares every night for the past three months because I'm scared to be this vulnerable with people. There are issues that need to be talked about," he said.
‘Devastating diagnosis’
Recalling the day he tested positive to HIV, Jonathan wrote in his book: "That day was just as devastating as you would think it would be."
Despite his devastation at the time, Jonathan believes he's "healthy" and is an "out-and-proud member of the beautiful H.I.V.-positive community."
He explained to the newspaper: "When 'Queer Eye' came out, it was really difficult because I was like, 'Do I want to talk about my status? And then I was like, 'The Trump administration has done everything they can do to have the stigmatisation of the L.G.B.T. community thrive around me.' I do feel the need to talk about this.
"These are all difficult subjects to talk about on a makeover show about hair and makeup. That doesn't mean 'Queer Eye' is less valid, but I want people to realise you're never too broken to be fixed."
Opening up about his past
Jonathan also detailed his tough childhood which involved bullying, being sexually abused by an older boy and a prolonged dabble with drugs.
"For a lot of people who are survivors of sexual assault at a young age, we have a lot of compounded trauma,” he said.
The star rose to mainstream fame in 2017 as one-fifth of Netflix’s relaunched Queer Eye alongside Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, and Bobby Berk.
Additional reporting by Bang Showbiz.
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