Jonathan Van Ness has been on a wellness journey for the past several years and while he’s lost 70 pounds, he’s still clapping back at critics.
The Queer Eye star, 38, took to TikTok on Thursday (Oct. 30) to open up about his weight loss and address people who say he’s no longer body positive now that he’s gotten more fit. In the extended video, Van Ness explained that he’s always been about “body neutrality.”
“There’s a whole gigantic conversation around, ‘Oh you were a big body positive person so you’re not a body positive person anymore,” Van Ness shared in the video.
He continued, “What do you mean? I’m all about body neutrality. The way that you look does not define your worth, doesn’t define your lovableness. You are worth love and worth celebration, no matter what your body looks like.”
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Reflecting on his body transformation, Van Ness discussed how a health scare encouraged him to get in the best shape of his life. After meeting with doctors who determined he was healthy, Van Ness started using a GLP-1 medication to help kickstart his weight loss journey.
“As I’ve lost weight and gotten into [exercise classes at] Solidcore, my body has never looked like this. My body’s never in my whole life — I’ve always wanted to have an ab. I’ve never had abs. And I feel really good, so I’m taking my shirt off a lot,” he said.
And while he’s feeling better than ever, Van Ness noted that he always felt that he was “cute,” regardless of his weight.
“I was always really cute, and I always felt cute. But I just didn’t feel good, and now I feel good,” Van Ness said.
Van Ness went on to say that everyone is “worthy of love” and “worthy of celebrating” — no matter what they look like.
You can hear all that Jonathan Van Ness had to say below.
@jvn_official Wanted to share this 💅
♬ original sound – JVN