WELLNESS // CULTURE
Queer Eye’s Grooming Expert
Jonathan Van Ness
Believes in Savasana, Self-Care, and the Power of Compassion
by Joy Tomasko // photography Courtesy of NetflixWe hung out with Fab 5 member Jonathan
Van Ness who shared some of his behind the
scenes secrets to grooming, maintaining a daily
savasana (final relaxation pose), and celebrat-
ing what is unique and beautiful about you.
Jonathan is a long-time yoga practitioner (he’s
also a teacher) who maintains an active group
of clients in both LA and NYC. He’s passion-
ate about helping people confidently own their
gorgeousness and his easy laugh, enthusiastic
spirit and bright smile light up the room.
Queer Eye isn’t his first foray in front of the
camera. He’s also the host of the popular (andEmmy-nominated) Funny or Die web series
Gay of Thrones, which serializes hilarious
recaps of the popular HBO series Game of
Thrones.
Jonathan was among thousands from
around the world who auditioned to be one of
the Fab 5 when word got out about Netflix’s
highly anticipated reboot.LA YOGA: How did you become involved in
the new Queer Eye?
JVN: As a teenager growing up in a small town
in the Midwest the original Queer Eye was im-portant to me. When I heard about the new
show, I wanted to be involved. It was a long au-
dition process with a lot of people from around
the world, all of whom were amazing.
Auditioning was a nerve-wracking; I called
upon everything I had learned in yoga about
how to be uncomfortable. And most impor-
tantly, I explored the answer to the age-old
question of how to tell the difference between
the dull ache of discomfort that you can just
sit through and the sharp shooting pain that
you just have to tap out of. Learning to sit in
discomfort and keep breathing is always key.S ometimes we need help not only feeling better about ourselves but sharing our best selves with the world.
From 2003-2007, Bravo’s show Queer Eye (originally titled Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) featured
a fresh and funny take on makeovers. The messages and meaning of the show collectively helped us
to be more tolerant and more fabulous. On February 7, the reboot for the new century launches on
Netflix. Today’s modern version showcases a new Fab 5 who deliver their own version of authenticity
and acceptance from Atlanta, where the debut season was filmed.