At least 10 professionals linked to the production of the Netflix reality show revealed the tension behind the scenes of the program and denounced Jonathan Van Ness’ behavior behind the scenes: ‘a monster’
A few months after Bob Berk in Queer Eye surprise with the decision to leave the reality show NetflixThe Rolling Stone found difficulties involving the personality of the presenters – especially Jonathan Van Nessthe memorable beauty artist from the program.
Featured on Netfix for eight seasons, Queer Eye revolves around five LGBTQIAPN+ men, committed to lending their specific skills to help ordinary people give new meaning to their lives.
Since its debut in 2018, dozens of participants have received help from the quintet, composed of Karamo Brownspecialist in culture, social relations and interaction; Tan Francestylist, responsible for transformation based on style; Antoni Porowski, food and wine expert; in addition to Berk – businessman and interior designer, responsible for decorating environments – and Van Ness – beauty artist dedicated to the aesthetic transformation of participants.
The program expanded and renewed the format of another reality show, Queer Eye For The Straight Guyfrom 2003, and ended up being an instant success, attracting the presenters – known as Fab Five – to new heights in your career. With fame, however, would also have come some friction and ego conflicts, which would end up exposed with Berk’s apparently sudden departure.
Searched for by Rolling Stoneat least 10 sources linked to the production would reveal controversial behind-the-scenes details involving the five presenters – and especially Jonathan Van Ness, who would be at the center of several conflicts.
“A nightmare”
Jonathan Van Nessor JVNand the beauty artist and specialist in grooming, famous for his expansive manner, for defying gender conventions, for his long hair and for his charisma, which made him, without exaggeration, the biggest standout among the five members of the Fab Five. Behind the scenes, however, sources consulted by Rolling Stone revealed how difficult it would be to work with him.
Four members of the production Queer Eye classified Van Ness as “a monster”, “a nightmare” or “degrading”, recalling that working with him would be “terrible”. Three others told the magazine that the presenter was emotionally “abusive” and would throw “tantrums”. Everyone agreed that the star would have recurring attacks on members of the production.
“There is a real feeling of fear when he gets angry. It’s almost like a cartoon where [a raiva] leaks delu”, revealed a source. Another said that it would be “intense and scary”. Another still recalled that the explosion episodes would happen at least once a week. Contacted by the magazine several times, Jonathan Van Ness did not comment on the accusations.
“Jonathan is a person of multitudes, with the ability to be very warm and very charismatic, the ability to make you feel very special when he pays attention to you,” said a source. “But at least once a day, he needs to yell at someone. It might be for something small, but someone will always be singled out and blamed as the villain of the day.”
According to the publication, at least two sources said that Van Ness’ behavior was decisive in the dissolution of the Fab Five, with some members of the group – including Berk – refusing to record scenes with the Fab Five. beauty artist.
“There was always absolute tension between everyone, especially Jonathan Van Ness,” revealed a production member. “He didn’t want to share the spotlight with anyone. Sometimes it wasn’t possible to shoot scenes with certain members of the Fab Five because things got bad.”
The report also found that Van Ness was accused of a lack of professionalism, with mood swings that dictated the pace of production.
“As much good as he wanted to do in the world, I think there was a lot of hypocrisy,” said a source. “There is a contrast between the principles and values ​​that Jonathan publicly defends,” she continues, citing the difference between the affection and care defended by Jonathan. beauty artist in public and the way he treated those around him.
According to the report, Netflix executives would have sought out Van Ness on at least one occasion to talk about his behavior and his treatment of the production, but with little or no practical effect.
The future of Queer Eye
Although they recognize that the cast would have gotten along instantly at the beginning of the reality show’s recordings, the sources of the Rolling Stone claim that the presenters would have reached 2023 with a merely cordial relationship – in addition to Berk and Van Ness, Tan France would also have had conflicts of interest with other members of the Fab Five.
And, even though the program guaranteed 11 Emmys Over the last eight seasons, the deteriorating relationship between the presenters and conflicts in production schedules would raise doubts about Netflix’s ability to fulfill a contract that would extend the program for another four seasons. Wanted by Rolling StoneBerk, Van Ness, Brown, France and Porowski did not comment or respond to the report.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.