Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness Controversy

Submission 792

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Overview

Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness Controversy refers to a controversy surrounding tension and tumult at the Queer Eye Reality TV show production after a former employee of the series exclusively revealed to Rolling Stone magazine a long-standing tension among the group and alleged "rage issues with star Jonathan Van Ness." The article was posted in early March 2024, sparking a viral debate and jokes and memes about Van Ness's rage on set.

Background

On March 5th, 2024, Rolling Stone^[1] magazine shared an exclusive article titled "‘They Play Nice’: Inside the Tensions and Tumult at ‘Queer Eye.’" The article reveals that former Queer Eye producer Darnie Dicheals was allegedly threatened on set by Jonathan Van Ness. Dicheals said, "He held a comb to my throat and said they’d gut me like a fish because I used the wrong pronouns and took his lunch order down wrong.”

According to the report, several production sources alleged^[2] that filming Queer Eye "has become difficult due to Van Ness's off-screen behaviour." YouTube^[3] channel Page Six uploaded a video, explaining the Jonathan Van Ness controversy and accusations against them. The video (shown below) amassed roughly 3,900 views and 20 likes since posted on March 5th, 2024.

Developments

On the same day the Rolling Stone report was posted, the Digital Spy^[4] website tried to reach out to Jonathan Van Ness but they have yet to respond to the allegations.

Online Reactions

Online, the report became a viral topic on X, especially among Queer Eye fans. For example, on March 5th, 2024, @Big_gayknockerz^[5] posted a video of Boss and CEO saying "don't act shocked" alongside the caption "Jonathan Van Ness is the poster boy for stereotypical white sassy gay boy that dresses horrendously and y’all are surprised they are verbally abusive…?" The post (shown below) amassed more than 14,000 views and 158 likes in two days.

On the same day, X^[6] user @AVNEETSAYS posted a clip of Glee's Sue Silvester pushing a man down the stairs paired with the caption "Jonathan Van Ness on the queer eye set." The post (shown below) received more than 2,600 views and 26 likes in two days.