Jonathan Van Ness explains why he doesn't get political with Trump supporters on 'Queer Eye'
- In a recent interview with INSIDER, Jonathan Van Ness discussed his decision not to discuss politics as a member of Netflix's revamped "Fab Five."
- "I don't go into 'Queer Eye' episodes trying to change people's political beliefs," he said. "I refer them to my Twitter for that."
- Van Ness discussed feeling comfortable around political differences, thanks to growing up in a rural community and having "largely Trump supporters" in his family.
- He also told INSIDER that season three of "Queer Eye" hosts a diverse cast, comparing the upcoming episodes to "the 'blue wave' of the 2018 midterm elections."
One of the biggest elements of Netflix's "Queer Eye" reboot was its focus on finding participants in the conservative states, but star Jonathan Van Ness doesn't feel that he needs to broach politics and Donald Trump with the makeover show's subjects.
"I don't pick who we make over. That would be one thing to note," Van Ness told INSIDER while promoting his partnership with Lipton and the brand's wellness range. "But I don't go into 'Queer Eye' episodes trying to change people's political beliefs. I refer them to my Twitter for that. When I'm in person with them, I'm really focused on their hair and their sunscreen use or lack thereof."
Van Ness, the show's resident beauty expert, credits growing up "in a rural town that overwhelmingly went for Trump" with helping him feel more comfortable around people with different political leanings.
He also noted how the makeover subjects on "Queer Eye" (referred to as "heroes" on the show) have already put themselves in a vulnerable position.
"When I'm on 'Queer Eye,' I'm really trying to connect with these people. I'm not really taking them on about things that I know I'm not going to agree with them on — like within the first three days that I'm meeting them," Van Ness said.
"You know, I've known my dad for 31 years and it's taken me until like, the last year and half for me to really open a can of woke soda for him," he continued. "And certainly, when you've just walked into someone's home and they're really vulnerable and like, showing us their messy lives or whatever, it's not the time to take them on about their political beliefs."
When "Queer Eye" debuted on Netflix in 2018, the Fab Five received some backlash for not confronting conservative heroes about how a vote for Trump has affected the LGBTQ community.
The hit makeover show, which is based on the 2003 Bravo reality series, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," will return for its third season on Friday.
Van Ness told INSIDER that the upcoming season is "à la the 'blue wave' of the 2018 midterm elections," but declined to elaborate further.
"I will just say there's more different types of people than ever," he said. "Her middle name isn't spoiler and I just cannot even handle that phone call from Netflix, honey."
Karamo Brown, the show's "culture expert," had previously confirmed to INSIDER that season three will feature the show's first-ever lesbian hero.
"She is amazing and I loved working with her so much, and she's just an incredible girl," Van Ness said. "I would say that everyone who we've gotten to work with has shown me something, taught me something, that's not replaceable in my life experience and she definitely fits that bill."
"She's just an incredible person and my life has been so enriched from meeting her — and everyone else that we gotten to work with. I mean really, truly, I guess that sounds dramatic, but it's true."
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