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Unrecognizable Throwback: Can You Guess This Reality TV Star at Age 12?

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Currently, he is a successful figure in reality television and podcasting, having overcome personal struggles and discovered his niche in life.

At the age of 12, he didn’t have a sense of belonging and worried that people might not understand him if he showed his authentic self.

When he was 12 years old, he felt out of place and apprehensive about revealing his true identity due to fear of being misinterpreted by others.

This star has gained fame for his exceptional skills in hairstyling and appears on a popular show, transforming lives through stunning makeovers.

Yet, he openly discussed his youthful apprehensions when he posted an old picture of himself from the age of 12.

In the snapshot I’m referring to, I, a devoted fan, noticed that the rising celeb was adorned in a blue T-shirt, denim pants, and a collection of necklaces. He struck a pose near a bicycle.

Can you guess who it is? 

It’s Jonathan Van Ness of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. 

In simple terms, Van Ness recently announced the publication of his new book titled “Let Them Star.” On Thursday, he posted an old photograph accompanied by a heartfelt message discussing the impactful story within the book and the restrictions he felt in his hometown growing up.

Twelve-year-old Jonathan doesn’t envision himself residing in his small town following high school.

He stated, “He couldn’t find a location where he felt he could establish a community that would understand and embrace him for who he truly is.

‘He wasn’t able to see a world where small towns celebrated and lifted queer people.

‘This 12-year-old Jonathan would escape in the fantasies of Casper, Harriet the Spy and Now & Then.

I penned ‘Let Them State,’ not only for this particular Jonathan, but also for countless others who’ve experienced feelings of not belonging or struggle to envision a promising future.

He went on to say: “It’s important for Jonathan and everyone, regardless of age, to recognize aspects of themselves in Sully, as well as within the pages of this book.

I’d like for them to not just observe, but truly comprehend, that regardless of their location, it is not only possible to exist, but to flourish and prosper.

He determined that for the 12-year-old Jonathan, Quincy, Illinois serves as his home and will continue to do so. Furthermore, he doesn’t need to leave in order to find acceptance, as he already does so by being true to himself.

The book Van Ness wrote is called Let Them Stare and it hits bookstore shelves on May 20. 

Earlier, Van Ness, aged 38 and identifying as nonbinary, refuted a Rolling Stone article that alleged emotional abusiveness during the filming of the reality show, stating that the claims were “not grounded in reality.

Last summer, they made an appearance on the Table Manners With Jessie And Lennie Ware podcast. During their conversation, they mentioned: ‘I believe many individuals might have been searching for a reason to dislike me or finding justification to say, “Ah, I’ve always suspected that they were insincere and this is the evidence.”‘

Dear Jonathan, I’d like to commend you for leaning on your network of support while intentionally taking a break from social media during that challenging time. It’s truly remarkable how stepping back can help us refocus and recharge. Keep up the self-care!

The television personality shared that for approximately three weeks, neither she nor her family engaged with social media or their phones, as they wholeheartedly supported both her spouse and her team.

In December 2023, it was revealed to their fellow cast members that Jonathan spoke about. He asserted that much of the data collected was misrepresented, intentionally taken out of context, to portray him and others in a highly negative light.

They said: ‘I think people forget no matter how famous you are you’re still a person.

The article arrived at a particularly sensitive period, not just for my hair care business, but also for my entire career. It was quite a challenging time.

As a passionate admirer, I couldn’t help but refute the claims made in that article, branding them as utterly false. I firmly believe that such assertions were maliciously concocted without my best interests at heart.

Admittedly, they acknowledged instances where their patience might have faltered or they could’ve performed more satisfactorily.

The bombshell report Jonathan was responding to was published by Rolling Stone in March 2024. 

Based on reports from various production outlets, all of whom chose to remain anonymous, it seems that Van Ness’s behavior off-camera began causing significant difficulties in the production process of the show.

They were accused of being ’emotionally abusive’, having ‘rage issues’, and being a ‘nightmare.’

One source asserted that when these individuals become enraged, there is a palpable feeling of fear radiating from them. This reaction seems to be similar to how a character in a cartoon might visibly exude fear or anxiety.

They also mentioned that the situation was both intense and frightening. Additionally, they characterized Van Ness as someone who frequently raised his voice and had outbursts approximately once a week.

According to one report, Van Ness exhibits a ‘highly appealing and charming’ aspect of their character that the general public perceives, yet there’s a different side that emerges in private settings.

At least once daily, someone or something requires them to express strong disapproval. This could be over a minor matter, but there’s always someone ready to criticize, place the blame, and designate the scapegoat for the day, according to their claims.

According to Rolling Stone, there were instances of minor disagreements and a bit of healthy competition among the Queer Eye cast regarding screen time and who stood out as the leading personality on the program.

In 2018, the hit show Queer Eye, featuring Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, and Jonathan Van Ness, debuted on Netflix and quickly took the world by storm, capturing the hearts of many as a cultural sensation.

Among all the cast members, it’s widely agreed that Van Ness emerged as the standout figure, having achieved notable success individually following the show.

Apart from boasting the highest number of social media followers among the group, it’s also worth noting that Jonathan Van Ness has authored three books, one of which became a New York Times bestseller, and started the popular podcast titled “Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness.

The podcast was turned into its own standalone Netflix series in 2022.

Van Ness also has a successful haircare line called JVN, which is stocked in Sephora.

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2025-05-09 16:19

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