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Jonathan Knight
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Key Information
Jonathan Rashleigh Knight-Rodriguez (né Knight; born November 29, 1968)[1] is an American-Canadian pop singer. He is best known for being a member of the boy band New Kids on the Block. The band also includes his younger brother Jordan, and members Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, and Danny Wood. He is the oldest member of the band and the first to leave it in 1994 prior to their official split.
Early life
[edit]Jonathan Rashleigh Knight was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Canadian parents of English, Scottish and German descent, and holds both US and Canadian citizenship. He is one of six children, including Allison, Sharon, David, Christopher and Jordan. His father Allan Knight, an Episcopal priest, is from Meaford, Ontario, and his mother Marlene (née Putnam) is from Dunnville, Ontario.[2]
Career
[edit]New Kids on the Block
[edit]From 1986 until 1994, Knight was a member of the American boy band New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) together with his younger brother Jordan Knight. They went on to sell over 80 million records worldwide before splitting in 1994 after he left during the tour for their 1994 album Face the Music. The group attempted to continue the tour claiming Jonathan had been badly hurt by a horse, but in a press conference a few weeks later, they revealed that they were actually splitting.[3]

In the spring of 2008, Knight returned to show business, reuniting with the other four members of New Kids on the Block. They released their seventh album (and first in 14 years), The Block, on September 2, 2008. To confirm their reunion and announce the new album, they performed live together for the first time in fifteen years on the Today show[4][5] on May 16, 2008.
A world tour was scheduled to follow the new release and began in Toronto on September 18, 2008. The first single from it, "Summertime", performed well worldwide peaking at No. 9 in Canada and breaking the top 30 in the U.S. charts (#24 as a digital download). They released "Single", their second single from The Block in August 2008.[6]
In March 2024, the group announced that their eighth album, Still Kids, would be released on May 17, 2024. The album is the group's first in eleven years and was preceded by the first single and music video for "Kids" on March 5, 2024. The group, along with opening acts Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff, will embark on the NKOTB Magic Summer 2024 Tour in June 2024.[7]
Later work
[edit]In the years after the New Kids first disbanded, Knight worked as a real estate investor living in Essex, Massachusetts.[3]
Knight and Harley Rodriguez participated in the 26th season of the reality competition series The Amazing Race, which aired on CBS in early 2015, where they placed 9th.[8]
In March 2021, Knight began hosting the HGTV television show Farmhouse Fixer, in which he restores old New England farmhouses for clients.[9] The series had more than 15 million viewers in the first two seasons. Season three of the show featuring Knight and interior designer Kristina Crestin premiered on April 23, 2024.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Knight was in a brief relationship with singer Tiffany Darwish from 1989 to 1990.[11]
In 2009, the National Enquirer published an article from his ex-boyfriend Kyle Wilker, who outed him as gay without his consent. Knight said, "I have lived my life very openly and have never hidden the fact that I am gay."[12] In a statement on the New Kids on the Block blog, he added, "Apparently the prerequisite to being a gay public figure is to appear on the cover of a magazine with the caption 'I am gay'. I apologize for not doing so if this is what was expected!"[13]
Since 2008, Knight has been in a relationship with actor and personal trainer Harley Rodriguez,[14] best known for playing Manny Lopez in the Sweet Valley High television series.[15][16] On November 15, 2016, while vacationing in Africa, the two became engaged when Knight proposed to Rodriguez.[17] In an August 2022 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Knight revealed that he and Rodriguez had married.[18][19] In 2023, Knight revealed on Lance Bass' podcast that he and Rodriguez had tried, unsuccessfully, to have children for several years saying: "We went through the journey for about five years, and it just didn't happen for us."[14] Knight also took 'Rodriguez' as an additional surname after marrying Rodriguez.[20]
Anxiety disorder
[edit]After leaving New Kids on the Block and no longer in the spotlight, Knight rarely made public appearances or gave interviews. In 2000, he revealed that he suffered from generalized anxiety disorder since his early career with New Kids on the Block.[3] He has since sought medical help and his health has improved.[21] In 2011, he appeared on MTV reality series True Life to help a fan suffering from panic disorder.[22]
Discography
[edit]- New Kids on the Block albums
- New Kids on the Block (1986)
- Hangin' Tough (1988)
- Step by Step (1990)
- Face the Music (1994)
- The Block (2008)
- 10 (2013)
- Thankful (2017)
- Still Kids (2024)
References
[edit]- ^ "UPI Almanac for Friday, Nov. 29, 2019". United Press International. November 29, 2019. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
...singer Jonathan Knight in 1968 (age 51)
- ^ "New Kids on the Block member Jordan Knight talks to omg! Canada about his Canadian connection". OMG!. October 1, 2012. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2022 – via Yahoo! News.
- ^ a b c Tauber, Michelle (November 20, 2000). "Renewed Kid". People. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved February 8, 2009.
- ^ Mascia, Kristen (September 19, 2008). "NKOTB's Danny Wood: 'Opening Night Was Amazing'". People. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2009.
- ^ Premuto, Nicole (May 16, 2008). "New Kids on the Block Return to Today for First Show in 15 Years". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ "Artist Chart History — New Kids on the Block". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2009.
- ^ Bell, Sadie (March 5, 2024). "New Kids on the Block Announce Still Kids, Their First Album in Over a Decade, and Release the Pop Banger 'Kids'". People. Archived from the original on March 6, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (January 20, 2015). "'Amazing Race': NKOTB's Jonathan Knight Among Cast, New 'Date Night' Reward Added". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
- ^ "Jonathan Knight Brings His Renovation Expertise to a New Show on HGTV". HGTV. Archived from the original on March 26, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ Bowlby, Katie (April 23, 2024). "Jonathan Knight Reveals the "Terrifying" Moment He Had on 'Farmhouse Fixer' Season 3". Country Living. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Tailor, Leena (June 21, 2019). "Jonathan Knight & Tiffany Talk Dating, Coming Out & 31-Year Friendship". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Wenn (January 29, 2011). "Knight: 'I never hid my sexuality'". contactmusic.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ Pep, Steve (January 29, 2011). "Jonathan Knight: I have never hidden the fact that I am gay". Towleroad. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Russell, John (May 20, 2024). "Get to Know the Real-Life Loves of New Kids on the Block". People. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ "Celebrity gossip juicy celebrity rumors Hollywood gossip blog from Perez Hilton » Blog Archive » Introducing..." perezhilton.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008.
- ^ "Sounds like my first time". June 30, 2013. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
- ^ Kimble, Elizabeth (November 15, 2016). "Making It Official: NKOTB's Jonathan Knight and Harley Rodriguez Are Engaged!". People. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- ^ "Jonathan Knight Reveals He Secretly Married His Longtime Boyfriend". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ Andrew, Scottie (August 25, 2022). "New Kids on the Block's Jonathan Knight marries longtime boyfriend". CNN. Archived from the original on July 8, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Jonathan Knight Takes Boyfriend's Last Name After SCOTUS Rules in Favor of Gay Marriage". E!. June 26, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
- ^ Bottomley, C. (April 11, 2001). "Older Kids on the Comeback". MTV. Archived from the original on December 28, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "'True Life' Check-In: Where Are Your Favorites Now?". MTV. January 10, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
External links
[edit]Jonathan Knight
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Upbringing and family background
Jonathan Knight was born Jonathan Rashleigh Knight on November 29, 1968, in Worcester, Massachusetts.[8][9] His parents, Marlene Putnam Knight and Allan Knight, had emigrated from Ontario, Canada.[10][6] Knight grew up as the fifth of six children in a large family that later relocated to the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston.[9][6] His siblings included older sisters Allison and Sharon, brothers David and Chris, and younger brother Jordan Knight, who would later join him in the band New Kids on the Block.[11] The family regularly attended a local Episcopal church, where Knight participated in youth activities.[10]Music career
New Kids on the Block (1984–1994)
New Kids on the Block formed in 1984 in Boston, Massachusetts, under the guidance of producer Maurice Starr, who sought to create a white counterpart to the success of New Edition. The initial lineup included brothers Jonathan Knight, then aged 16 and providing vocals, and Jordan Knight on lead vocals, alongside Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, and later Joey McIntyre who joined in 1985 at age 12. Jonathan, born November 29, 1968, in Dorchester, contributed backing vocals and participated in choreography during the group's early development phase, which involved rigorous training in dance and performance.[12][13] The band's self-titled debut album released on April 2, 1986, achieved modest commercial success, eventually selling 3 million copies in the United States through subsequent promotion. Singles like "Please Don't Go Girl" reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988, marking their initial breakthrough. Jonathan Knight supported these efforts with vocal harmonies and live performances, though the group struggled initially with limited radio play and faced hurdles in gaining widespread traction amid a competitive pop landscape.[14][3] Breakthrough arrived with the 1988 album Hangin' Tough, which sold 8 million copies in the U.S. and propelled the band to global stardom through hits such as "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" and the title track, both topping charts. The group embarked on extensive world tours, performing to sold-out arenas and generating massive merchandise revenue, with Jonathan handling backup vocals and dance routines despite his emerging discomfort with intense scrutiny. Step by Step followed in 1990, maintaining momentum with over 4 million U.S. sales and another chart-topping tour, during which Knight's contributions included key vocal parts in tracks like "Step by Step."[14][3] By 1991, the album Face the Music signaled declining popularity, exacerbated by a lawsuit from fans alleging lip-syncing at concerts and internal strains from the teen idol image. Sales dropped, and the rise of alternative genres like grunge further eroded their market dominance. Jonathan Knight, citing panic attacks, personal identity struggles as a young gay man uncomfortable with the fabricated wholesome persona, and exhaustion from fame's pressures, became the first to depart in 1994, precipitating the group's official hiatus. The remaining members soon followed, ending the original run amid financial disputes and creative fatigue.[15][16]Hiatus period and initial solo attempts (1990s–2007)
Following the commercial underperformance of New Kids on the Block's 1994 album Face the Music and its accompanying tour, Knight became the first member to depart the group that year, citing exhaustion from the demands of fame and severe stage fright that rendered performing untenable.[17][15] The band's formal disbandment followed shortly thereafter, initiating a 14-year hiatus during which Knight withdrew entirely from music-related activities, forgoing any solo recording or performance endeavors.[18] Unlike fellow members such as Jordan Knight, who issued solo albums in 1999 (Jordan Knight) and 2004 (Love Songs), or Joey McIntyre, whose debut solo effort Stay the Same arrived in 1999, Knight pursued no independent music projects, maintaining a deliberate low profile to manage anxiety and rebuild privately.[17] Knight's absence from the industry stemmed from profound discomfort with public performance, which he later described as having reached a breaking point during NKOTB's final tours, where panic attacks and dread overshadowed any enjoyment.[15] He redirected focus to non-entertainment pursuits, acquiring a 20-acre farm in Massachusetts upon returning home and experimenting with property renovation as a therapeutic outlet—initially fixing up dilapidated structures on the property and in nearby neighborhoods starting in 1994.[4] This hands-on work, often collaborative with a local friend, gradually expanded into a business flipping over 200 homes across New England by the mid-2000s, providing financial stability without the spotlight's pressures.[19][20] Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Knight avoided media appearances and music industry overtures, occasionally facing rumors of personal struggles but issuing no public statements or musical output until informal reunion discussions with bandmates emerged around 2007, leading to studio sessions for what became the 2008 album The Block.[18] This period marked a complete pivot from his prior career trajectory, prioritizing mental health recovery over artistic reinvention.[15]NKOTB reunions and ongoing performances (2008–present)
In 2008, New Kids on the Block, including Jonathan Knight, reunited after a 14-year hiatus, announcing the comeback on April 4 via a surprise appearance on NBC's Today show, where they revealed plans for a new studio album and a global tour.[21] The group's seventh studio album, The Block, was released on September 2, featuring collaborations with artists such as Lady Gaga, Ne-Yo, and The Pussycat Dolls; it debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 100,000 copies in its first week.[22] The accompanying New Kids on the Block Live tour commenced on September 18 in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre, spanning North America and Europe with opening acts including Natasha Bedingfield and later Qwanqwa; it grossed over $40 million from 42 shows before concluding in early 2009.[23] The momentum continued with the Full Service Tour in 2009, which included 43 dates across the United States, Canada, and Australia, featuring opening acts JabbaWockeeZ and Jesse McCartney, though eight shows were canceled due to scheduling conflicts.[24] A European leg followed with 47 performances and Shontelle as the opener.[25] In 2011, NKOTB co-headlined the NKOTBSB Tour with Backstreet Boys, performing 40 arena shows across North America that summer, blending hits from both groups and attracting over 500,000 attendees. Subsequent efforts included the 2013 Package Tour alongside Backstreet Boys and partial NSYNC participation, and the release of the covers album NKOTB: The Mixtape on November 25, 2013. The band maintained a steady touring schedule into the late 2010s, with the Total Package Tour in 2017 co-headlining with Boyz II Men and Paula Abdul across 47 dates in the US and Canada, emphasizing high-energy sets of their catalog alongside guest performances.[26] The Mixtape Tour followed in 2019, featuring En Vogue, Salt-N-Pepa, and Naughty by Nature, but was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic after initial dates. Knight, alongside bandmates Jordan Knight, Danny Wood, Donnie Wahlberg, and Joey McIntyre, has consistently participated in these group endeavors, contributing vocals and stage presence without pursuing NKOTB-specific solo projects. Post-pandemic activities resumed with the Magic Summer Tour in 2024, incorporating medleys of classic tracks and guest appearances.[27] As of 2025, NKOTB announced a Las Vegas residency titled The Right Stuff at Dolby Live in The Park MGM, scheduled for November 2025 through February 2026, marking their return to periodic performances amid Knight's parallel television commitments.[28] These reunions have sustained the group's fanbase, with Knight noting in interviews the enduring appeal of live shows despite the physical demands of touring.[29]Television and media ventures
Early reality television (2010s)
Knight participated in the 26th season of the CBS reality competition series The Amazing Race alongside his longtime partner Harley Rodriguez, marking his debut in reality television.[30] The season, subtitled "Blind Date Edition," primarily paired contestants who met for the first time upon arrival but included select pre-existing couples such as Knight and Rodriguez, who had been dating for seven years at the time.[31] It premiered on February 25, 2015, with 11 teams racing through challenges in locations including the United States, France, Thailand, and Malaysia.[32] The duo performed competitively in the early legs, finishing first in Leg 1 and second in Leg 2, but encountered difficulties thereafter.[33] After placing last in Leg 3—a non-elimination round—they faced a Speed Bump penalty in Leg 4, requiring them to assemble components of a traditional Thai spirit house before proceeding.[34] This contributed to their elimination in episode 4, aired on March 18, 2015, placing them ninth overall out of the 11 teams.[35] Knight later reflected on the experience as a test of their relationship dynamics under pressure, highlighting Rodriguez's fitness background as an asset in physical challenges while noting his own strengths in navigation and strategy.[31] The appearance garnered media attention due to Knight's celebrity status from New Kids on the Block, drawing viewers interested in seeing the performer outside his music persona.[36] It also served as one of the first public platforms showcasing Knight's personal life on television, though the focus remained on competitive tasks like detours and roadblocks rather than interpersonal drama.[37] No other major reality television projects followed immediately for Knight in the 2010s, with his next significant on-screen venture shifting toward home renovation programming in the late decade.[32]HGTV hosting and Farmhouse Fixer (2019–present)
In October 2018, HGTV announced that Jonathan Knight would star in a pilot episode titled Farmhouse Fixer, which was slated for airing in 2019 and focused on his expertise in renovating historic properties.[38] The pilot highlighted Knight's background in restoring old farmhouses, drawing from his personal experience renovating over 200 properties in New England.[39] The pilot paved the way for the full series Farmhouse Fixer, which premiered on March 3, 2021, with Knight as host alongside interior designer Kristina Crestin.[39][40] In each episode, Knight and Crestin identify century-old New England farmhouses with structural issues, purchase them, and oversee renovations that preserve original features like post-and-beam construction and stone foundations while incorporating modern updates for functionality and client needs.[5] The series emphasized Knight's hands-on approach, including moving entire structures when necessary, as demonstrated in episodes featuring his family's farmhouse relocation.[41] Farmhouse Fixer aired three seasons, with the second season premiering in August 2021 and the third on April 23, 2024.[42] A four-episode spinoff, Farmhouse Fixer: Camp Revamp, debuted on June 18, 2024, where Knight collaborated with his brother Jordan Knight and husband Harley Rodriguez to renovate cabins and facilities at a rural New England campground, adapting his farmhouse restoration techniques to camp settings.[43][44] On June 25, 2025, Knight confirmed via Instagram that HGTV had decided not to renew Farmhouse Fixer for a fourth season, stating he was still processing the decision while continuing his New Kids on the Block commitments.[45][46] The cancellation followed the third season's conclusion in 2024, marking the end of Knight's primary HGTV hosting role after five years of production.[47]Business endeavors
Real estate development and renovations
Following the New Kids on the Block's initial disbandment in 1994, Knight began flipping houses in the Boston area, marking his entry into real estate as a means of professional reinvention beyond music.[2] He co-founded a company with partners to specialize in acquiring, renovating, and reselling properties, continuing this venture until rejoining the band in 2008.[4] Knight's approach emphasized historic preservation, targeting aged structures like post-and-beam barns and farmhouses, where he dismantled, refurbished, and reassembled elements to blend original craftsmanship with contemporary functionality.[48] Knight's projects predominantly feature New England farmhouses, often over a century old, undergoing structural reinforcements, modern plumbing and electrical updates, and aesthetic restorations to retain period details such as exposed beams and stone foundations.[49] Notable personal endeavors include relocating and fully renovating his family's 110-year-old farmhouse from its original site to a new lot in Essex, Massachusetts, addressing foundational decay and expanding living spaces while preserving its historical integrity.[41] He has also tackled larger-scale renovations, such as transforming a 12-acre lakefront campground with multiple cabins and a main house, completed over six months with a focus on budget-conscious upgrades.[50] In Essex, where Knight resides, his work extends to coastal and rural properties, including a former clam shack converted into a residence and a historic lighthouse assistant keeper's cottage, prioritizing cost-effective methods like adaptive reuse of materials to minimize expenses.[51][52] Knight innovated in one project by reimagining a barndominium—a hybrid barn-residence—through modular construction techniques that accelerated assembly while maintaining rustic aesthetics.[53] These efforts reflect a business model rooted in high-value flips of undervalued historic assets, yielding returns through sales to buyers seeking authenticated New England character.[54] Despite the 2025 conclusion of related media exposure, Knight has expressed intent to persist in renovations independently.[45]Personal life
Romantic relationships and public coming out
Knight maintained privacy regarding his sexual orientation during the peak of New Kids on the Block's fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s, amid pressure from management to conceal it for career reasons.[55][56] The band's manager, aware of Knight's homosexuality, explicitly warned that public disclosure would end his career.[57] In 2009, Knight was involuntarily outed when a former boyfriend sold photographs of their relationship to The National Enquirer, prompting tabloid coverage.[56] Knight did not publicly address his sexuality at that time; his publicist stated on January 25, 2011, that he had no intention of discussing it.[58] Knight publicly confirmed his homosexuality on January 29, 2011, via a statement to Entertainment Weekly, expressing a desire to move forward without further commentary on the matter.[58] He later described the coming-out process as "horrible" due to external pressures but noted subsequent personal fulfillment.[57] Knight began a relationship with Harley Rodriguez, a fitness trainer, in 2008 after being introduced by a mutual friend.[59][60] The couple, who share interests in home renovation and rural living, became engaged prior to their marriage on December 17, 2022, in a private ceremony.[59][61] No other long-term romantic partners have been publicly detailed by Knight.[60]Marriage and family
Knight married his longtime partner, Harley Rodriguez, in a private ceremony in 2022, after meeting in 2008 through a mutual friend and becoming engaged on November 15, 2016, during a trip to Africa.[62][63] The couple, who reside in Massachusetts, have collaborated professionally, including co-hosting HGTV's Farmhouse Fixer series, where Rodriguez contributes to renovation projects.[60][59] Knight and Rodriguez do not have children, having pursued fertility treatments unsuccessfully for approximately five years prior to their marriage.[64] In a 2023 interview on Lance Bass's Frosted Tips podcast, Knight described the emotional challenges of their efforts to start a family, noting the process's toll but expressing contentment with their life together.[65] Knight serves as an uncle to his younger brother Jordan Knight's two sons, Dante (born 2001) and Eric (born 2007), from Jordan's marriage to Evelyn Melendez.[66]Mental health: Anxiety disorder and management
Knight has publicly discussed experiencing generalized anxiety disorder, characterized by persistent worry and panic attacks, which intensified during the height of New Kids on the Block's fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s.[67] In a 2001 interview with Oprah Winfrey, he described how the pressures of sudden stardom, including constant public scrutiny and performance demands, triggered severe anxiety episodes that felt like an abyss, leading him to leave the group in 1994.[68] This condition was compounded by internal conflicts over concealing his sexuality, which he later linked to overwhelming anxiety and sensations of nervous breakdown by the early 1990s.[69] A notable public manifestation occurred on April 4, 2013, during a New Kids on the Block concert at the Barclays Center in New York City, when Knight abruptly left the stage mid-performance due to a panic attack, leaving his bandmates to proceed without him; he later apologized to fans, attributing it to his longstanding social anxiety.[70] Similar struggles persisted into the 2000s and 2010s, with Knight describing in podcasts and interviews how the demands of touring exacerbated his symptoms, though he continued performing selectively. For management, Knight has credited therapy, self-directed hard work, and gradual exposure to high-stress situations with reducing the frequency and intensity of his anxiety attacks over time.[67] His participation in the 25th season of The Amazing Race in 2014, alongside bandmate Jordan Knight, reportedly aided in building resilience by confronting fears in unpredictable environments, helping him regain confidence in public settings.[71] In a 2021 interview for Audacy's "I'm Listening" series, he elaborated on ongoing strategies for handling panic, emphasizing personal coping mechanisms developed through years of experience rather than reliance on medication.[72] These efforts have enabled him to maintain a career in television hosting and renovations, though he remains candid about the condition's lifelong nature.[73]Public image and legacy
Achievements and cultural impact
Jonathan Knight's primary achievements stem from his role as a founding member of New Kids on the Block (NKOTB), a boy band that attained global superstardom in the late 1980s and early 1990s as one of the most commercially successful teen idol acts in history.[7] The group released multiple platinum albums, including Hangin' Tough (1988), which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Music Video - Long Form in 1990, and achieved top rankings such as Billboard's #1 Pop Artist in 1990.[74] NKOTB's success included extensive world tours and merchandise sales that generated hundreds of millions in revenue, solidifying Knight's status as a key figure in the band's enduring legacy of over 40 years.[75] In parallel, Knight built a notable career in real estate development, personally renovating more than 200 historic properties in New England, leveraging his expertise in farmhouse restoration to transition from music into a hands-on entrepreneurial venture.[49] This culminated in his HGTV hosting debut with Farmhouse Fixer in 2021, a series that followed his restoration of centuries-old farmhouses and spawned spinoffs like Farmhouse Fixer: Camp Revamp, attracting viewers through its blend of historical preservation and modern design.[76][77] Despite the show's eventual conclusion in 2025, it expanded Knight's audience beyond music fans, highlighting his dual identity as performer and craftsman.[45] Knight's cultural impact is tied to NKOTB's revival of teen pop in the United States, where the band fostered an intense, organized fan culture—known as "Blockheads"—that prefigured modern stan phenomena and influenced subsequent boy bands like Backstreet Boys and NSYNC.[78] By embodying accessible, wholesome pop idols amid the era's more rebellious music trends, NKOTB, with Knight's contributions to choreography and stage presence, helped commercialize synchronized group performances and fan-driven marketing strategies that remain staples in the music industry.[78] His later ventures further demonstrated adaptability, bridging 1980s nostalgia with contemporary lifestyle programming on networks like HGTV, where sibling collaborations with Jordan Knight infused renovation shows with familial authenticity and broad appeal.[79]Controversies and criticisms
In 2021, Jonathan Knight became embroiled in a legal dispute with The Trustees of Reservations, a Massachusetts conservation organization, over alleged violations of a 1976 conservation restriction on his Essex property, which he purchased from his mother in 2015.[54] The restriction limits new construction to agricultural support structures, such as barns, and prohibits residential developments beyond maintaining existing farm-related buildings in their original locations. Knight sought approval in 2016 to relocate the century-old farmhouse for structural and aesthetic reasons, but the Trustees denied the request; subsequent discoveries of a foundation excavation in 2017 and residential features, including a staircase, inside a barn structure prompted a 2019 cease-and-desist order.[54] By October 2021, the Trustees filed suit in Land Court, demanding Knight either convert the structure into a functional barn or demolish it entirely, asserting he knowingly breached the easement despite prior communications outlining the rules.[54][80] Knight has countered that the Trustees misled him on permissible modifications and applied inconsistent standards, accusing the organization of corruption and leveraging his celebrity status against him; he publicly criticized their CEO on social media, vowing to expose "their lies."[54] In court filings, Knight denied intentional violations, portraying himself as a committed steward of the land through farming activities.[54] The Trustees maintained their duty to enforce restrictions uniformly across 322 affected landowners, noting that courts typically uphold land trusts in easement disputes involving unauthorized residential builds.[54] As of mid-2024, the litigation persisted amid Knight's efforts to resolve the matter, including relocating the original farmhouse structure.[81][82] Knight has faced criticism from some viewers of Farmhouse Fixer regarding his qualifications for historic farmhouse renovations, with detractors arguing his celebrity from New Kids on the Block overshadows verifiable expertise in preservation techniques or structural engineering.[83] During the 2024 season, Knight admitted on-air to being financially and experientially overwhelmed by renovations on his own property, stating, "I look like a real dumbass right now" and estimating significant overspending without precise figures.[84] These admissions fueled perceptions among critics that his HGTV role relies more on personal branding than specialized knowledge, though supporters highlight his hands-on involvement in multiple projects since 2019.[83] In 2013, during a New Kids on the Block performance in Boston, Knight abruptly left the stage mid-show due to a panic attack, later apologizing publicly and attributing it to his longstanding anxiety disorder, which he has discussed openly as stemming from the band's peak fame era.[70] The incident drew minor media attention but no formal backlash, with Knight framing it as part of his mental health management rather than professional negligence.[70]Discography
Studio albums with New Kids on the Block
The following are the studio albums released by New Kids on the Block featuring Jonathan Knight as a founding member and vocalist:- New Kids on the Block (1986)[85]
- Hangin' Tough (1988)[85]
- Step by Step (1990)[85]
- Face the Music (2008)[85]
- The Block (2008)[85]
- 10 (2013)[85]
- Still Kids (2024)[86]
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