By Emma Wilson
Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness has been dubbed a "monster" in a jaw-dropping expose about the hit Netflix show.
Ten production members on the show spoke with Rolling Stone about what went on behind-the-scenes on the hugely popular show, which debuted back in 2018. Queer Eye helped launch the Hollywood careers of Jonathan, chef Antoni Porowski, stylist Tan France, lifestyle guru Karamo Brown, and interior designer Bobby Berk, and has spawned eight seasons with the Fab Five travelling across the US giving makeovers to deserving people.
However, the production staff and sources working on the show alleged Jonathan’s alleged behaviour on set was "emotionally abusive", and even said the hairstylist - who uses all pronouns and describes themselves as a nonbinary trans person - has "rage issues". Four employees spoke to the publication anonymously, and accused Jonathan of making the show difficult to work on, and called them "a nightmare" as well as "demeaning".
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READ MORE: Bobby Berk breaks silence on why he really quit Queer Eye after 8 series of Netflix show
"There's a real emotion of fear around them when they get angry. It's almost like a cartoon where it oozes out of them," one said, as another claimed that the atmosphere on set with Jonathan was "intense and scary". Some production staff said "another side" of their personality comes out behind-the-scenes, which was at odds with the "very warm, very charismatic" side the public sees. While Jonathan has not yet commented on the allegations, seven sources told Rolling Stone that they would "lash out" at crew members on a daily basis.
It was even claimed that their behaviour had an impact on Bobby Berk, who recently revealed he was leaving the show after eight seasons. Two sources told the outlet that the interior designer was "reluctant to shoot" scenes with Jonathan, because the JVN Hair founder "didn’t want to ever share the spotlight with anyone." It reportedly got so bad that other members of the Fab Five refused to shoot scenes with them.
In an interview with Vanity Fair in January, Bobby revealed it was in fact his feud with Tan France that prompted him to reconsider signing on for another season, as he was "mentally and emotionally" done with the show after finishing shooting the seventh season. However, when it was announced they would be coming back for season eight, Bobby decided to quit. "Tan and I had a moment. There was a situation, and that’s between Tan and I, and it has nothing to do with the show. It was something personal that had been brewing - and nothing romantic, just to clarify that," he explained.
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