Jonathan Van Ness shares update on relationship with Dax Shepard

Jonathan Van Ness shared an update on where he stands Dax Shepard after their “very unexpected” debate on trans rights.

“I think Dax and I are good,” Van Ness, 36, said during an episode of the series Podcast ‘Not skinny but not fat’ released on Tuesday, November 14. “I haven’t spoken to him since.”

He added: “He’s nice. I have a lot of respect for him. I thought he was very brave to release it.”

Van Ness cried during a September appearance on Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast as he defended the rights of trans children and discussed various issues in the LGBTQIA+ community.

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Dax Shepard is always one to speak his mind, which has gotten him into trouble on occasion. The “Armchair Expert” podcast host made headlines in September 2023 when he got into a heated argument with Jonathan Van Ness about gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Van Ness, who is non-binary and uses all pronouns, went bankrupt […]

“It just felt fine — okay, actually it didn’t feel that good,” Van Ness admitted during Tuesday’s podcast, doubling down on previous claims that the conversation had “really been tweaked.”

“I just wish I could have gotten a transcript or insight into what that edit would be. I asked for that and I didn’t get it. … That part was kind of hard,” the Strange eye star explained, calling the unedited discussion much “worse” than what was released. “If there was a more accurate edit, you would understand why I was crying.”

Van Ness’ tense exchange with 48-year-old Shepard stemmed from a disagreement over whether The New York Times is considered anti-trans after the publication of several controversial articles. Shepard stated that “some people are very uncomfortable with teen transitions,” claiming that “questioning it makes you an enemy.”

Van Ness responded by saying, “I feel like I’m talking to my dad.” For his part, Shepard apologized during the call and said he had “no intention at all” of starting a debate on the topic.

“Every single thing I said, he got it back,” Van Ness told the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” host. Amanda Hirsch on Tuesday. “I almost got up and left twice.”

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Van Ness hopes to one day have a separate conversation with Shepard about the incident. He even thought the host of ‘Armchair Expert’ might ‘reach out’ after their podcast episode went live.

‘There is a world where a second conversation would be nice, private, true [he gives] a more sincere apology and [takes] property,” Van Ness said.

While Van Ness said it felt like Shepard was “gaslighting” him during their conversation, the Netflix personality has no negative feelings toward the actor.

“I think Dax is very sweet,” he said. ‘I don’t think he means any harm. I’ll say that. He means no harm. I thought it was brave [to release] The episode. I’m glad he allowed so many more people to join that conversation.”