But his new book also reveals that Jonathan was diagnosed with HIV at the age of 25 following a flu-like illness. The diagnosis was the final straw needed to kick Jonathan in the butt and clean up his life. He quit taking drugs and instead focused his time, energy, and money on creating a media presence for himself. He co-created an online video series called "Gay of Thrones" and then began getting regular work as a red-carpet personality. That eventually helped connect him to Netflix's "Queer Eye" reboot.
He decided to come out publicly about his diagnosis in order dispel misperceptions about living with HIV by providing a healthy public face of someone with the disease. And that being diagnosed with HIV doesn't have to be the end. In fact, it frequently serves as a positive new beginning.
Or as Jonathan Van Ness himself said, "You're never too broken to be fixed."