Let's talk about Jonathan Knight, the lead singer of New Kids on the Block. He's more than just a star on stage. This Grammy-nominated artist has made waves in the world of home design with his HGTV show, Farmhouse Fixer. But it's his personal life that really warms the heart. Jonathan, along with his partner Harley Rodriguez, lives in a beautiful Massachusetts farmhouse, blending his passion for historic homes with his love for interior design.
From World Tours to Finding Love in LA
Jonathan Knight has seen it all. He's been on countless world tours with the iconic '80s pop group that made a triumphant return in 2008. That same year, fate stepped in during a night out in Los Angeles. Through a mutual friend, Jonathan met Harley Rodriguez, a Barry's Bootcamp instructor at the time. Their connection was instant, and Harley decided to uproot his life in California to move to the East Coast and start a new chapter with Jonathan.
A Competitive Spirit: The Amazing Race
In 2015, Jonathan and Harley decided to test their relationship under pressure by competing on The Amazing Race. Though they finished in ninth place, the experience only brought them closer together. Harley shared with People in February 2015, "We’ve traveled together, and we really just balance each other out in a lot of ways. We were worried we would fight on the race. But at home, we are totally chill and get along, so I didn’t worry about it so much."
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A Proposal Under the Stars
In November 2016, the couple embarked on an unforgettable trip to Africa with their mothers. Jonathan took the opportunity to pop the question during a luxurious dinner on the Zambezi River. "We were on the Zambezi River — it’s right above Victoria Falls [between Zambia and Zimbabwe] — we took a nighttime raft dinner, just the four of us out on the river. There was like a hippopotamus in the background," Harley recalled on The Jenny McCarthy Show. "It was a super moon. It was just absolutely beautiful. It was so romantic."
Planning the Perfect Day
Before the proposal, Jonathan updated his Instagram bio to "Jonathan Knight-Rodriguez," and Harley followed suit. However, their initial plans to tie the knot in 2021 were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. "We were going to get married on the farm this year under a tent and then have the ceremony in our barn," Jonathan told People in February 2021. "We had everything lined up: the caterers, the entertainment. We were going to get married under candlelight. And then that all just stopped."
Despite the challenges, Jonathan's bond with Harley continues to grow stronger. In a heartfelt Instagram post in June 2020, Jonathan expressed how grateful he is for Harley, saying, "He has adjusted perfectly to the life we have created and now he’s right at home!" Their love story is a testament to how love can adapt and thrive, even in the face of unexpected obstacles.
