He's putting the MAN in manicure! Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness becomes nail brand Essie's FIRST male spokesperson - as the hairstylist vows to help break down gender norms
- The Queer Eye hairstylist, 32, announced his partnership with Essie on Thursday
- The collaboration with the nail brand comes just in time for Pride Month
- Jonathan helped the brand pick seven nail polish colors to represent Pride
- He then modeled in a campaign for the brand with his nails painted
- Jonathan said he hoped the campaign who help break down gender barriers dictating that nail polish is only for women
Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness has become nail polish Essie's first-ever male spokesperson.
The hairstylist, 32, made his way into fans hearts on Netflix's Queer Eye with his quotable moments and inspirational advice when helping beautify every person on the makeover show.
Now Jonathan is helping break down gender barriers by becoming the first male spokesperson for Essie in a newly-launched campaign — and he wants to encourage other men also wear nail polish if they so please.
Breaking barriers: Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness, 32, became the first male spokesperson to collaborate with nail brand Essie
Toss the confetti! The collaboration with the nail brand comes just in time for Pride Month, and Jonathan helped the company pick out seven shades to represent the Pride flag
Jonathan announced the news on his Instagram account when he shared a picture of himself with perfectly painted manicure.
Unique: Jonathan, pictured in March, wanted his presence in the nail polish campaign to hopefully inspire other men to ignore gender norms and wear the beauty item
'I’m so honored to announce I’ve teamed up with @essie as their first non-female ambassador in celebration of Pride,' he wrote.
'For me, polish has always been a form of self-expression. Right now that means this mosaic rainbow mani moment. Wearing it proud!'
In a press release, the brand explained that it wanted to promote self-expression and exclusivity with this new campaign during LGBTQ Pride Month.
The campaign features a curated Essie collection of rainbow colors — but ones that are a more subdued than the typically vibrant shades seen during Pride Month.
In images Jonathan shot for the brand, he models pastel shades of every color in the the Pride flag.
Speaking to Refinery29, the star explained why he always loves a fresh manicure and what it meant to him to promote nail polish — a beauty item that is often taboo for men to use.
'It’s a way to give a little hint of what you’re about and communicate what you believe in — in a way that doesn't have to break the bank,' Jonathan told the publication. 'I’ve been painting my nails consistently for a few years now and it just makes me feel kinda cute and helps me express myself.'
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Happy: The Queer Eye cast member modeled for the campaign with a fun nail polish design on his ring and pinkie fingers
Expressing himself: Besides his nails, Jonathan also breaks down gender stereotypes with how he chooses to dress when attending events or just out on the town
Jonathan revealed that the first time he ever received a manicure was at seven years old, when he went to the salon with his grandmother.
He asked for one, and she obliged only if he would just get a clear coat.
'And I was like, "That’s way better than what I thought you were gonna say! Yes, please!"' Jonathan explained.
More and more male celebrities — such as Harry Styles, Darren Criss and Jared Leto — have chosen to rock a manicure regardless of what critics might say.
Jonathan said he was inspired by this movement and hoped he could also help break down that gender norm.
'At the end of the day, we’re all people and we’re all striving for life, liberties and the pursuit of happiness...Any space where we can aim for that connection and break down this idea that only men do certain things and only women do certain things is really important for everyone,' he said.
Besides his nails, Jonathan also breaks down gender stereotypes with how he chooses to dress when attending events or just out on the town.
He'll often be pictured out in skirts, dresses and heels with a bag in tow — further showing how beauty and fashion can cross genders for whomever wants to embrace a style.
