Jonathan Van Ness: Hot, Healed and Honest 30/01/26

·14 min·1 clip

Jonathan Van Ness reveals their backstage rider and addresses a Queer Eye bullying controversy in this candid interview.

This episode features an interview with Jonathan Van Ness, conducted by host Andrew Bucklow. JVN is promoting their Australian comedy tour 'Hot and Healed', scheduled from late February to mid-March 2026 in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. They explain the tour's name stems from a love of alliteration and reflects themes of healing from personal and political trauma, notably being featured in a $220 million Trump campaign ad without consent. JVN recounts a stand-up experience in Sydney where a joke about being HIV positive initially bombed, leading to an improvised audience chant. They describe their modest backstage rider, including vegetables, White Claw, and salon towels, and contrast it with a more demanding rider from earlier gymnastics-heavy shows. The conversation shifts to music, with a lighthearted discussion about Savage Garden's song 'Truly Madly Deeply'. The host then introduces a recent Queer Eye controversy where castmate Karamo Brown withdrew from promotional interviews, citing mental health and bullying concerns. JVN responds by expressing support for Karamo's decision to prioritize self-care, emphasizing the importance of mental wellness in the industry. The interview concludes with a playful question about characters from the show 'Heated', where JVN humorously ties the answer to their hair care products. Throughout, JVN blends comedy with vulnerability, discussing topics like HIV awareness, LGBTQ+ issues, and the pressures of fame.

As heard by us

JVN mixes tour dates, backstage rider talk, and a Savage Garden detour.

Andrew Bucklow's conversation with Jonathan Van Ness is at its strongest when it stays close to the Hot and Healed Australian dates in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

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Why you'd press play

If you want JVN ahead of their Aussie comedy tour, this is the one to queue up.

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