Today, he’s a reality TV star, podcast host, and one of the most beloved figures in entertainment, having overcome personal struggles to find his place in the world.
But at age 12, he felt out of place, worried that being his true self would lead to misunderstanding and rejection.
This star is now renowned for his hairstyling expertise and is a familiar face on a major show where he helps transform lives through makeovers. Recently, he shared a rare throwback photo of himself at 12, revealing the insecurities of his youth.
In the photo, the future star sports a blue T-shirt, jeans, and layered necklaces, posing next to a bicycle.
Can you guess who it is?
It’s Jonathan Van Ness of Queer Eye.
Van Ness, 38, is also about to release a new book titled Let Them Stare. On Thursday, he shared the childhood photo alongside a heartfelt message reflecting on his upbringing in Quincy, Illinois, and the limitations he felt growing up in a small town.
“This is 12-year-old Jonathan,” he wrote. “He didn’t see a possibility of staying in his hometown after high school. He didn’t see a place where he could build a community that would accept him for who he was. He couldn’t imagine a world where queer people were celebrated.”
Van Ness explained that young Jonathan escaped into the stories of Casper, Harriet the Spy, and Now & Then, and that his book was written for him and for the countless others who have felt out of place or unseen. “I want this Jonathan — and people of all ages — to see themselves in Let Them Stare,” he said.
Reflecting on his childhood, Van Ness added, “Quincy is home for that 12-year-old Jonathan, and he doesn’t have to run away to feel accepted for who he is.” Let Them Stare will hit bookstores on May 20.
In recent years, Van Ness addressed a controversial Rolling Stone report claiming he was emotionally abusive on set of Queer Eye. He called the article “completely untrue” and said it was “done in bad faith,” though he admitted there were moments he could have handled things better.
“My family, husband, and team were incredibly supportive,” he said, explaining that he avoided social media for three weeks during the fallout. Van Ness also emphasized that the article took information out of context and targeted him during a particularly vulnerable time for his career and haircare company.
The Rolling Stone piece, published in March 2024, alleged behind-the-scenes tensions, claiming Van Ness had “rage issues” and was “a nightmare” to work with. Sources described a dual persona: a warm, charismatic presence on camera, but intense and confrontational off-set.
Despite the controversy, Van Ness remains the breakout star of Queer Eye, which premiered on Netflix in 2018 with Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, and Van Ness. He has since become the group’s most-followed member on social media, released three books — including a New York Times bestseller — and hosts the hit podcast Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, which was adapted into a Netflix series in 2022.
Additionally, Van Ness has built a thriving haircare brand, JVN, stocked at Sephora, solidifying his status as both a cultural and business powerhouse.
