Jonathan Van Ness is closing out his stellar 2019 with a bang.
The “Queer Eye” star landed the most recent cover of Cosmopolitan UK, making him the first non-female to carry the honor since Boy George back in 1984. Van Ness rocks an orange and pink tulle Christian Siriano gown along with striped socks and Nike Cortez sneakers for the photo, with the magazine cover line reading, “Yep. We did it. You’re totally welcome.”
In the interview, the 35-year-old grooming guru talks about living with HIV, how weed helps him deal with pressure, and the time he missed a Madonna concert with Taylor Swift.
Van Ness came out as HIV positive in his memoir “Over The Top” released this past summer.
“This is only the beginning. I’m quickly realizing that there is still so much misunderstanding, so much sensationalizing of living with HIV. The stigma and the difficulty around the process of getting treatment is creating that. My work has only really just begun,” he told Cosmopolitan.
First non female cover star in 35 years 🏳️🌈💗 thanks for having me 🏳️🌈💗@CosmopolitanUK showing more variations of beauty for young LGBTQ+ people YAS QUEEN photo by @Rachell_Smith pic.twitter.com/oSXbDHaK51
— Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) December 2, 2019
With his newfound fame — from both the Netflix makeover show and his hilarious short form “Gays of Thrones” — Van Ness is learning the important lesson of life balance.
“I also now say no to a lot of sh-t. I mean, stuff I really want to say yes to. The other day, Taylor [Swift] and I were making soup and she asked me to go to a Madonna concert with her. That was the day before my 5am flight to London to come here for this shoot and my tour,” he explained.
“I knew it would be an amazing experience. But also — my nervous system. I was a full-time hairdresser and small-business owner, like, 19 months ago. But I hate saying no. I love my friends. I get FOMO. But I have to prioritize self-care. Because if I don’t then my candle will burn out.”
He also offers details on what tools help him deal with the pressures that come from being in the public eye, and offers one for the current political climate in the U.K.
“Well, my therapist, and therapy, period. My yoga and meditation practice. And I do smoke weed. I mean with Brexit around the corner, henny, you all need something,” he quipped.
“And with those politicians doing all that lying about how much money the NHS was going to get if you left the EU, I bet if you had some gorgeous legalised marijuana you’d have enough taxes for, like, state-paid lipo or nose jobs or fillings. I bet we could get dental and vision [healthcare]. PUT THAT ON A BUS.”
Van Ness also dished on his feelings about the men across the pond.
“I mean shiver me f–king timbers. Men in Britain are next-level gorgeous. I like that they just cut you off if it’s not working. I mean, cut me off like a dead foot if it’s not working. Let me go.”
The January issue of Cosmopolitan is on sale December 5th.
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