Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness returns with a comedy show full of laughter, healing and a reminder to embrace curiosity.
by kevin perry
Life is what happens when you’re getting your hair done.
Picture it: You’re reclined, you unwind and you’re feeling fine. A trusted artist caresses your scalp, connects with you and frees your fierceness for all the world to see.
Lather, liberate, repeat.
It’s impossible to remain unmoved when a skilled stylist maneuvers their hands through your locks, and nobody has their fingers on the pulse of human nature more joyously than Jonathan Van Ness.
“I feel so fortunate that I had so many wonderful peeps sitting in my chair,” said Van Ness, aka JVN. “As I was doing their hair, I listened to their problems; I really heard them.”
The Queer Eye sensation is a gorg guru, creating content for truly transcendent series like Getting Curious and Getting Better, but they have always been rooted (pun intended) in the follicular arts.
“I was working as a hairdresser in Phoenix during the financial crisis of 2007-2008. Now that I’m almost 40, I’ve experienced several crashes and saw how each one affected the community. The economy has a major impact on everyday life — the lack of healthcare access was one of the biggest concerns I heard about, as well as food costs and housing expenses. Would you listen to me? I’m supposed to be promoting my comedy tour and I’m out here chatting about the subprime mortgage scandal.”
“I was featured in a Trump campaign ad against my will, and I received so much hate — just for the way I was depicted. The Hot & Healed tour addresses all of that.”
Oh yeah, the tour! JVN will grace the Balboa Theatre stage in San Diego on Saturday, October 10.
“I’m so excited to be back in San Diego!”
Every utterance from JVN sounds like an angel giving birth to a rainbow while eating cheese fries. Y’know — heaven. They speak the way unicorns dance. “It’s such an amazing city!”
And it’s about to get amazing-er. Van Ness offers the most tantalizing teaser imaginable for their upcoming appearance: “I’m gonna show a lotta leg, a lotta ass and a lotta love!”
We’re. So. In.
When asked to delve deeper into what uber-fans can expect from the event, JVN savors each syllable.
“Let me choose my words carefully. My Fun & Slutty tour was about the world as I hoped it would be. But then 2024 happened.cI was featured in a Trump campaign ad against my will, and I received so much hate — just for the way I was depicted. The Hot & Healed tour addresses all of that.”
Hold up. Quick clarification time.
“Yes, H-E-A-L,” JVN spells out. “I was toying with the idea of just going with H-E-E-L, but I spend way too much on therapy to let it go. 240 bucks a session every week? That’s almost a grand a month! Yup, we’re going for it. Hot & Healed it is!”
But self-care isn’t stuffy, especially when it’s served with JVN’s signature hirsute humor.
“Comedy allows you to discuss some of the trickiest issues facing humanity. We can talk about complicated stuff like diversity and also dangerous stuff. Like, fascism is the hottest trend right now. How did we get here? By asking these questions in a funny way, we can explore some not-so-funny forces that divide us.”
Van Ness breaks the ice with their wit and melts your heart with their wisdom. Their activism has led to collabs with AOC, Nancy Pelosi and Kamala Harris, and it’s all part of their mission to make the world a more wonderful place.
“I get to be a cheerleader for people who are trying to be their best selves. I think that’s my superpower: making people happy.”
When asked about the special sauce that contributes to our collective contentment, JVN gravitates to one of their favorite core concepts: curiosity.
“OK, I’m about to go deep. My grandmother was one of the most curious people I ever met. She loved learning — it was always inspiring to me. But then when she turned 75, she kinda said, ‘I know everything already.’ It killed her spirit. She developed health issues and I really think it was because she lost that sense of curiosity. It keeps you going. But she just shut down.”
As the convo gets somber, Van Ness immediately interjects their iconic optimism. “But that makes me saddy-kins and I don’t like being saddy-kins.”
In a singsong tone, they continue, “In the words of Leona Lewis, ‘I just wanna be happy!’”
Ah, JVN is music to our queer ears! That’s why we want to play a few more quick cuts from our gab sesh before sadly saying goodbye.
“Comedy allows you to discuss some of the trickiest issues facing humanity. We can talk about complicated stuff like diversity and also dangerous stuff. Like, fascism is the hottest trend right now. How did we get here?
“True beauty is on the inside, but you can see it right away.”
“Community is life!”
“In 2026, progress can feel frustrating. I want it to happen faster … Pride this year gave me hope. I saw lots of folks working together. That’s progress. More of that, please!”
And we want more JVN! Which begs the question: How do they choose their next career move?
“If I’m passionate about a project, that’s my North Star. I admit, I used to take gigs I wasn’t crazy about, but now that I’m older, I really have to love a job to do it, y’know?
That perky Polaris will lead them all the way to Balboa Theatre. JVN gives one last, luscious look at their upcoming event: “If you bring a straight male to the show, make sure he packs some snacks, face spray and deodorant because we’re gonna make him sweat through some pretty bonkers content. Buckle up!”
Consider us clicked. JVN, thank you for your gleeful giddiness, your tireless terrificness and your generally joyful Van Ness-edness. Hair flip out!