" I think citizenry bury no matter how famous you are , you ’re still a person . "
Jonathan Van Nessfinally addressed that bombshellRolling Stoneexposé.
According to the article, sources who worked with theQueer Eyestar accused Jonathan of being “emotionally abusive” with “rage issues.” The sources also claimed that Jonathan’s alleged “nightmare” behavior sparked tension between the Fab Five, includingBobby Berk, who chose not to return for an additional season.
Over three months later, Jonathan addressed the accusations on a recent episode of theTable Mannerspodcast.
“One thing it taught me was that I had been getting so much self-esteem from social and my job,” they said. “I think a lot of people were looking for a reason to hate me or looking for a reason to be like, ‘See, I always knew that they were a fake cunt, and this is the proof.'”
The 37-year-old credited their family, husband, and team for being supportive during the backlash and recalled avoiding social media for three weeks. “Anytime I tried to dip my toe in, I would immediately see something that was so intensely hurtful. I think people forget no matter how famous you are, you’re still a person.”
They said the article came during an “incredibly vulnerable” time for their hair care company and career. “It just was really rough.”
“Even though I do believe that that article was overwhelmingly untrue and done in bad faith, there have obviously been times through your career when you’re stressed out, or I may have been elbow-deep in highlights and was like, ‘No, I can’t talk about that right now!'”
“I know that there was times when I could have been better. But I think also being a survivor of abuse and talking about everything I’ve talked about, I internalized it so badly. I was like, ‘Oh my god, is it true? Am I really this bad person?’ It forced me to really learn how to slow down, disengage, and then really love myself. Sometimes, loving yourself just looks like feeling your feelings. I just had to be sad for a minute,” they concluded.
Looking for more LGBTQ+ or Pride content? Then check out all of BuzzFeed’s posts celebratingPride 2024.
“I think people forget no matter how famous you are, you’re still a person."
