Jonathan Bennett is sharing an important health update about his husband, Jaymes Vaughan — and revealing more about the man he calls his “best friend.” In a recent Instagram post, the Hallmark star said Vaughan recently underwent a procedure to correct a condition known as a Schatzki ring, which made eating almost impossible for most of his adult life.
“This is the first time over the over 3,400 meals I’ve sat across from him where I didn’t feel like he was fighting for his life just to get through it,” Bennett wrote. “Yesterday, he got the procedure to open up his throat, and this is his first meal after fixing what’s called a Schatzki ring.”
A Schatzki ring is a narrowing of the lower esophagus that can cause difficulty swallowing, food becoming stuck, and, in severe cases, regurgitation. Bennett said he wanted to share their story to help others who might be suffering from the same condition.
Beyond this recent health journey, Vaughan’s life is full of fascinating details — from reality TV fame to a “Hallmark movie fantasy” wedding. Here are five fast facts you need to know.
Inside Jaymes Vaughan’s Health Battle With Schatzki Ring
Bennett revealed that Vaughan had been living with the effects of a Schatzki ring for years. According to the Mayo Clinic, this condition can make it incredibly difficult to eat without choking or vomiting.
“My husband has a condition that made it impossible for him to eat without throwing up for almost his entire adult life,” Bennett explained in his post. Now, after a successful procedure, Vaughan is able to enjoy meals without pain or fear for the first time in decades.
Their Love Story Began on TV
The couple first met in October 2016 when Vaughan interviewed Bennett on “Celebrity Page.” The “Mean Girls” star told The Knot in 2021 that he instantly thought Vaughan was “the most beautiful man” he had ever seen.
“I asked [the producer], ‘Am I about to meet my future husband?’ And she said, ‘I think so,’” Bennett recalled. Vaughan admitted he didn’t realize it was love at first sight for him but felt “electricity” when they posed for a photo together.
After several years of dating, they got engaged in November 2020 and tied the knot in March 2022 in Mexico. Bennett described their nuptials to People as a “dream wedding,” saying, “If you had told me this was one of my Hallmark movie sets, I would have believed it. It was that perfect.”
From Virginia to ‘The Amazing Race’
Vaughan grew up in Chesterfield County, Virginia, before moving to Las Vegas, where he worked as a Chippendales host. He competed on “The Amazing Race” season 21 with James Davis, finishing in second place. Vaughan later co-starred in MTV’s “The Real Friends of WeHo” in 2023 and has acted in films like “Chocolate City: Vegas Strip” and “The Plus One,” the latter alongside Bennett.
They Made History on The Knot’s Cover
In summer 2021, Bennett and Vaughan became the first gay couple to appear on the cover of The Knot. Vaughan told Out Traveler he was “super proud” of the representation, explaining, “I think that’s our job as this generation of LGBTQ+ people, to make it easier on the next, and help them feel seen, normal, and hopeful for their own future.”
Jaymes Vaughan and Jonathan Bennett Run a Travel Company and Podcast Together
The couple co-founded the LGBTQ+ travel company OUTbound, born from their desire to create a “queer safe space” for travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also co-host the iHeartRadio podcast “Pridecast,” which was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. In recent years, they’ve documented globe-trotting adventures in Italy, Austria, South Africa, and Japan.
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Jonathan Bennett’s Husband Is His ‘Best Friend’