Over the Top: My Story

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

NPR'S FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR

INDIE BESTSELLER

GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD WINNER: BEST MEMOIR & AUTOBIOGRAPHY

A laugh-and-cry-out-loud memoir from the beloved star of Netflix’s Queer Eye, Jonathan Van Ness

Who gave Jonathan Van Ness permission to be the radiant human he is today? No one, honey.

The truth is, it hasn’t always been gorgeous for this beacon of positivity and joy.

Before he stole our hearts as the grooming and self-care expert on Netflix’s hit show Queer Eye, Jonathan was growing up in a small Midwestern town that didn’t understand why he was so…over the top. From choreographed carpet figure skating routines to the unavoidable fact that he was Just. So. Gay., Jonathan was an easy target and endured years of judgement, ridicule and trauma―yet none of it crushed his uniquely effervescent spirit.

Over the Top uncovers the pain and passion it took to end up becoming the model of self-love and acceptance that Jonathan is today. In this revelatory, raw, and rambunctious memoir, Jonathan shares never-before-told secrets and reveals sides of himself that the public has never seen. JVN fans may think they know the man behind the stiletto heels, the crop tops, and the iconic sayings, but there’s much more to him than meets the Queer Eye.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll come away knowing that no matter how broken or lost you may be, you’re a Kelly Clarkson song, you’re strong, and you’ve got this.

• Raw Honesty: JVN fans may think they know him, but this book reveals the never-before-told story of his journey through addiction, healing from trauma, and living with HIV.
• Inspirational Story of Resilience: From enduring bullying in his small Midwestern town to becoming a global icon of self-love, Jonathan’s story is proof that your past doesn’t have to define your future.
• Body Positivity: A candid and hilarious exploration of learning to love the skin you’re in, from a B-cup-having seventh grader to a beacon of confidence who knows that gorgeous comes in every shape and size.
• Behind the Scenes of Queer Eye: Discover the story behind the star, including the high-stakes audition process and what it’s really like to be part of the Fab Five.