Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness breaks silence on "rage" claims
Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness has commented on the allegations branding them a "yeller" on the set of the Netflix hit show.
Van Ness was accused of being "abusive" and having "rage issues" in a report by Rolling Stone published in March.
On a recent episode of the Table Manners podcast with Jessie and Lennie Ware, the hair expert has broken their silence on the claims, saying the exposé "isn't really based in reality".
"There was this article that was written about Queer Eye and myself in March, but our whole Queer Eye family had first learned about this article in December," they said.
Related: Queer Eye confirms Bobby Berk's replacement for season 9
Van Ness continued: "I went from this bankruptcy [their haircare brand JVN Hair had to be sold]. Then, 'Oh, there's someone who's going to write an investigative takedown, exposé piece about you that isn't really based in reality, but can certainly have a lot of things taken out of context to make you look as bad as possible.'
"So from January to March, I was walking on eggshells being like, 'When is this going to happen?' And then it finally did happen," they added.
Van Ness also commented on the public reaction, saying: "I think a lot of people were looking for a reason to hate me or looking for a reason to be like, 'See, I always knew that they were a fake c**t.'"
Related: Why did Bobby Berk quit Queer Eye after season 8?
The reality TV star explained that they resolved to take a break from social media after the allegations became public.
"My family was so supportive, and my husband and my team," they said. "But I didn't even get on social media to look at my phone for like three weeks and anytime I tried to dip my toe in, I would immediately see something that was so intensely hurtful."
Earlier this year a total of seven sources claimed Van Ness "would lash out at crew members" during filming of Queer Eye, with one production source calling them a "yeller" on set.
According to Rolling Stone, Netflix executives had "at least one meeting" with Van Ness about their "treatment of the crew", but sources allege the conversation led to little change.
Back in November last year, Queer Eye was renewed for a ninth season filmed in Las Vegas. The upcoming episodes will introduce a new member of the Fab Five, interior designer Jeremiah Brent, who replaces Bobby Berk.
Queer Eye seasons 1-8 is available to stream on Netflix now.
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