Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness has described the end of the show as “bittersweet”, while acknowledging that the cast now have “varying relationships” with one another.
The 39-year-old hairstylist, podcast host and television personality served as the grooming expert on Netflix’s Queer Eye and remains one of its most recognisable stars. Van Ness is non-binary.
The series, which followed the Fab Five as they helped transform the lives of one person each episode, ran for 10 seasons from 2018 to 2026. But its final stretch was overshadowed by off-screen tension, leaving questions around how close the cast really remained by the end.
Van Ness was part of the original Fab Five alongside Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown and Bobby Berk. Berk later exited the show and was replaced by Jeremiah Brent for its final two seasons.
For the rollout of the final season, Brown chose not to take part in the press tour. His absence drew headlines after he released a statement saying he wanted to protect his “mental health and peace”, and that he was concerned about being bullied if he appeared publicly.
That only added to the long-running speculation around tensions within the cast, particularly following Berk’s departure and the public chatter that followed.
Speaking to the Press Association, Van Ness said the ending of Queer Eye came with mixed emotions.
“That was such an incredible ride and it’s memories and experiences that I just treasure forever,” they said. “Bittersweet is the best way I can say it. I’m so grateful.”
They added that, while the experience was deeply meaningful, they also feel ready for something new.
“I loved making the show and it was so special in such a special time. I am also ready to experience new things and explore new things and keep growing and keep seeing what life has to offer. So I think bittersweet is the best way to say.”
Asked about where things stand between the cast, Van Ness was candid, saying they have “varying relationships – some of us are closer, some of us are not so close”.
“I think that’s also okay. So yeah, that’s where we are on that.”
Van Ness’s next chapter will take them onto the comedy stage with Hot & Healed, a stand-up tour that begins in London on 17 May before heading to Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester and Glasgow.
They described the new show as “a lot queerer and a lot raunchier” than their work on Queer Eye, and said it draws heavily from the last two years of their life, both publicly and politically.
“It’s breaking down the last two years of my life, publicly, politically,” they said.
Van Ness explained that Hot & Healed is about what people need to do collectively to recover from the social and political pressures of recent years.
“What we’re healing from is the violence of the gender binary, from misogyny, from ageism, from fat phobia,” they said.
They also spoke about the distress of being featured in a major pro-Trump political advertising campaign in 2024, saying it was devastating to be used in that way.
Despite the heavy themes, Van Ness suggested the live shows would still bring plenty of humour, warmth and chaos. They also had special praise for British audiences, calling them “the most amazing crowds” and describing them as loud, involved and fun.
And in classic Jonathan Van Ness fashion, they ended on a joke that was only half a joke: “I will also potentially be applying for asylum. We’ll see how this week goes.”
