‘Monster’ Jonathan Van Ness caused ‘fear’ on ‘Queer Eye’ set: exposé claims

It’s “Queer Eye” for the not-so-nice guys. 

A new Rolling Stone exposé is breaking down alleged “Queer Eye” behind-the-scenes drama between its “Fab Five”: food and wine expert Antoni Porowski, 39; interior designer Bobby Berk, 42; grooming expert Jonathan Van Ness, 36; culture afficionado Karamo Brown, 43; and fashion expert Tan France, 40. 

According to the outlet, sources close to the show said that Van Ness (who uses they, he and she pronouns) was emotionally “abusive” and had “rage issues.”

Sources used words like “monster,” “nightmare” and “demeaning” to describe Van Ness — whose on-screen persona is bubbly, cheerful and accepting of everyone, frequently encouraging people to reach their full potential by saying, “Yas queen!” 

“When he comes on set, everything changes if he’s in a bad mood,” one source said. “Working with him is very difficult in any capacity.” 

The Emmy-winning show premiered in 2018, as a reboot of the original 2003 Bravo series. Each episode of the feel-good reality show followed the Fab Five as they gave a “hero” (the show’s term for a person getting a makeover) a refresh — not only in their living space and appearance, but also in how that “hero” conducts themselves with their family and friends, and overcomes whatever social fears might be holding them back from reaching their full potential.

When the show first premiered, France told The Post about the experience of gaining overnight fame. “I got 55,000 new [Instagram] followers within a week,” he said. “I’ve received at least 8,000 [direct messages] from people all over the world.”

France also told The Post that he realized how popular “Queer Eye” was when he ran into a celeb who asked him for a photo. “Having Jon Bon Jovi stop me and say, ‘Tan, can I have a photo with you?’ blew my freaking mind,” he recalled. 

But, production sources allege that that fame has gone to Van Ness’ head. 

“[There’s] a real emotion of fear around them when they get angry,” sources told Rolling Stone about Van Ness.

“It’s almost like a cartoon where it oozes out of them. It’s intense and scary.” 

People close to the production alleged that Van Ness would explode frequently, claiming, “He was a yeller.” 

The Post reached out to Van Ness’ rep for comment. 

Another source told Rolling Stone, “Jonathan’s a person who contains multitudes and who has the capacity to be very warm, very charismatic, and has the capacity to make you feel really special that they are paying attention to you. But at least once a day, they would need to yell at somebody. It might be something small, but there’s always going to be somebody to point out and blame and make the villain of the day.” 

Other people who have worked with Van Ness said that their do-gooder persona — such as when they stood up for social issues like trans rights — is a front. 

“As much good as he wants to do in the world, I think a lot of it is very hypocritical,” another source told the outlet.

“There’s a definite contrast between the principles and the values that Jonathan stands for publicly,” another source who worked with Van Ness said. 

“They’re really centered around having this warmth, love and care for other people. There’s a real contrast between that and the way that they treat the people who are closest to them across the board. It’s the opposite of what this person is touted and paid to be.”

Berk announced his departure from the show after Season 8 in November 2023. Sources close to production told the outlet that Van Ness’ alleged behavior contributed to this. 

“There was absolutely tension between everybody else, especially from Jonathan Van Ness,” a production member said. 

“He didn’t want to ever share the spotlight with anyone. There were times when we couldn’t even shoot scenes with certain members of the Fab Five together because it got so bad.” 

Netflix execs had at least one meeting with Van Ness regarding this alleged behavior, production sources claimed. 

Other sources said that Berk got fed up with doing the heavy lifting on the show — as he often re-designed a “heroes” entire house — and his work would only be shown at the end, without Berk featuring prominently in episodes. 

“I know Bobby did feel a bit less in the running [of being the fan favorite] because you didn’t see him that much in episodes,” a production source said. 

Jeremiah Brent will replace Berk as the decorator and design guru moving forward in Season 9, which will be shot in Las Vegas. 

According to the outlet, France and Porowski — who were friends with Brent — campaigned to make that happen, in a show of “mean girl antics,” another source said. 

Other sources said that the five cast members’ on-screen friendship is fake — aside from France and Porowski, as France was the only one invited to Porowski’s bachelor party. 

Speaking to Andy Cohen during a September 2023 episode of “Radio Andy,” Brown explained that he, as well as Berk and Van Ness, were “not invited” to Porowski’s celebration.

“The shade of it all!” he exclaimed when Cohen expressed his disbelief. “Just Tan was invited.”

“None of them are friends,” another source dished to Rolling Stone. “They play nice.” 

Another production source alleged that Berk butted heads with France and Van Ness.

“How is it not obvious to everybody that none of these people are friends? None of them. They don’t hang out socially. They live very different lives,” they said. 

The Post reached out to reps for Netflix, “Queer Eye,” Van Ness, France, Berk, Brown and Porowski for comment.