'Queer Eye' Star Jonathan Van Ness Reveals He's HIV-Positive

Jonathan Van Ness is opening up about being HIV-positive — and it’s made for a very, very powerful reveal.

The Queer Eye star revealed his diagnosis in a new interview with the New York Times on Saturday, which revolved around his upcoming memoir and the TV star’s fascinating life story. The 32-year-old is remarkably open and real in the interview, and unafraid of opening up about what he’s been through in the hopes that he can help other people live their truth now, too.

In the interview, Van Ness reveals that he initially tested positive for HIV seven years ago, after fainting one day and going to Planned Parenthood to see about his flu-like symptoms. Though the day itself was “as devastating as you think it would be,” he writes in his new memoir, he still has managed to find the good side of life — and of his new status — as he continues to grow in the public realm.

One major thing for the Queer Eye star, who says he is a “proud member of the beautiful HIV-positive community,” is that this new transparency will hopefully help improve the political and social climate surrounding the disease.

At one point, while discussing coming out with his status and the complexities of opening up to people, Van Ness said (below):

“When Queer Eye came out, it was really difficult because I was like, ‘Do I want to talk about my status?’ I do feel the need to talk about this … [But] I’ve had nightmares every night for the past three months because I’m scared to be this vulnerable with people. It’s hard for me to be as open as I want to be when there are certain things I haven’t shared publicly.”

Very understandable — especially with something as powerful and impactful as this news.

The wide-ranging interview is a very interesting piece in and of itself (you can read it HERE), and also dives deep into Van Ness’ past history with addiction. The hair stylist and beloved TV star reveals he first started doing cocaine during his first semester of college, before later smoking methamphetamine. Eventually, he completed two stints in rehab, though also struggled several times with relapses, as well.

Queer Eye Star Jonathan Van Ness — JVN has been a star since day one of Netflix’s ‘Queer Eye’ reboot. / (c) WENN

He also revealed that he’d been subjected to sexual abuse at a young age, too, including detailing an alleged sexual encounter he had with an older boy when he was a child. Wow…

The whole interview is very serious, showing in some ways a new side of the usually always-bubbly JVN, but he still managed to conclude things on a positive note near the end of the feature, saying about his story (below):