When the renowned grooming guru, Jonathan Van Ness, aged 37, wasn't busy transforming heroes on the Netflix series, he revealed an interesting aspect of their life during season 9 filming in Las Vegas. "I ate so much crab legs in Las Vegas that I almost got gout," he shared with PEOPLE. The host of the Getting Curious podcast, who had surgery for an undisclosed medical issue in 2023, added, "I became really obsessed with Alaskan king crab legs and snow crab legs."

Understanding Gout

The Mayo Clinic describes gout as a common and complex form of arthritis. It can occur when a person consumes an excessive amount of purine-rich drinks or foods like seafood, which leads to an increase in uric acid levels. Van Ness vividly described his experience, saying, "I was ordering crab legs like Bethenny Frankel to salons and eating buttered crab legs out of plastic bags outside of salons in Vegas heat at noon." This gives a clear picture of his indulgence in crab legs during that time.

Food Obsession and Its Impact

His food obsession with crab legs during season 9 was quite remarkable. It not only affected his health but also became a part of his daily routine. He would go to great lengths to satisfy his craving for these shellfish. This shows how food can have a significant influence on a person's life, even in the midst of a busy filming schedule. It also highlights the importance of maintaining a balanced diet and being aware of the potential consequences of excessive indulgence.

New Cast Member and Team Dynamics

Season 9 of Queer Eye will feature a new cast member, with interior design expert Jeremiah Brent replacing the departing Bobby Berk, who previously handled home renovations since the show relaunched in 2018. Ahead of filming, fashion guru Tan France told PEOPLE that it will be "interesting to see how this dynamic" with Brent goes. He added, "However, we all know [Jeremiah], we all love him, so we’re feeling really confident about this season. I think it’s going to be fab." Brent, 40, agreed, telling House Beautiful in March, "We’re all in a group chat. We’re having the time of our lives." This shows the positive team spirit and excitement among the cast members as they prepare for the new season.

Mantra for Viewers

With the season 9 premiere on the horizon amid the political climate, Van Ness shared a mantra for viewers to stay hopeful. "My mantra is from a cinematic classic, which is, 'Just keep swimming,'" he told PEOPLE, nodding to a popular Finding Nemo quote. This mantra serves as a reminder to viewers to stay positive and keep moving forward, even in challenging times.Queer Eye's season 9 starts streaming on Netflix on Dec. 11, promising a new and exciting season with the addition of a new cast member and the continuation of the show's positive impact.