Jonathan Van Ness: ‘Systemic racism, toxic masculinity and capitalist greed drives society’

Jonathan Van Ness's new Netflix show Getting Curious sees them investigate gender, skyscrapers and pooing bugs. But beneath the curiosity lies a deep-seated anger at inequality and discrimination

Jonathan Van Ness is best known for fabulous hairstyles, for killer styling tips, and for treading a path that keeps them firmly on life's glam side. Their new TV show may change that. Being pooped on by a millipede is a lot," they exclaim. It stained my hands for days - there's tar or resin in their poop!"

The 34-year-old is talking via Zoom from their home in Texas about their new Netflix series, Getting Curious With Jonathan Van Ness. Based on their long-running podcast of the same name, each episode sees Van Ness - along with a coterie of experts and friends - tackle a topic, from skyscrapers to snack foods. As well, obviously, as assessing the kind of insects that go to the toilet on your hand if you pick them up in a laboratory. Or as Van Ness puts it: Are bugs gorgeous or gross?"