Jonathan Knight is an American singer with a $14 million net worth. Jonathan Knight is most known for being a member of the New Kids on the Block boy band.
The pop group’s self-titled first album went triple platinum in the United States, selling more than 70 million copies worldwide.
When Knight quit during the group’s “Face the Music” tour in 1994, the band officially disbanded. The group was nominated for a Grammy and won two American Music Awards.
After New Kids on the Block, Knight chose to work as a real estate developer in his native state rather than pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
He started presenting an HGTV program named “Farmhouse Fixer” in 2021.
Early Life:
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Jonathan Knight was born on November 29, 1968, in Boston, Massachusetts, the fifth of six children. Marlene and Allan Knight, his parents, were both born in Ontario, Canada.
Knight was a member of the church choir and a frequent attendee of the local Episcopal church as a child. His vocal skill, as well as that of his younger brother, Jordan, was recognized there.
Formation of New Kids on the Block:
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Knight joined New Kids on the Block at the age of 16 when band member Donnie Wahlberg recruited his younger brother, Jordan, into the group.
After experiencing success with groups like New Edition, Wahlberg was found by talent agent Mary Alford, who had been approached by producer Maurice Starr to help construct the next great boyband.
The initial five members of the group were Wahlberg and the two Knight brothers, as well as Wahlberg’s younger brother, Mark, and pals Jamie Kelly and Danny Wood.
After a few months, both Mark and Jaime opted to leave, and Joey McIntyre, who was just 12 at the time, was brought to the team.
The band performed after school and on weekends under Starr’s leadership and was previously known as Nynuk until Columbia Records, the band’s record label, ordered that they alter their name to New Kids on the Block (NKOTB).
Despite Starr’s efforts, they released their debut self-titled album in 1986, which was not a commercial success.
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NKOTB Success:
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As their second album progressed, the band members were more engaged in the direction and sound, aiming to break away from Starr’s bubblegum-pop style.
In 1988, they released the track “Please Don’t Go, Girl,” which finally reached No. 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles Chart.
The song’s success aided the success of their second album, “Hangin’ Tough,” which slowly rose in popularity as the band started touring and MTV began airing more of the record’s hits.
NKOTB had a great run in the early 1990s. Step by Step, their third album, was published this year “in 1990, which included additional songs written by the members of the band. The band went on tour in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
During this time, Knight began to experience heightened anxiety and eventually left the band while on tour in support of their fourth album, “Face the Music.”
Other Professional Pursuits:
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Knight has achieved professional success outside of the entertainment sector after quitting NKOTB. Unlike some of the other members of the band, Knight chose to pursue a career in business rather than acting or solo music.
Since then, he has been a successful real estate agent in his native state of Massachusetts.
Following his breakup from NKOTB, Knight started refurbishing homes and properties in addition to real estate.
He particularly likes restoring historic farmhouses, such as his own residence. HGTV took note of his abilities, and Knight’s new restoration program, Farmhouse Fixer, was born “The series launched on the network in March of 2021. The program focuses on farmhouse renovations in New England.
NKOTB Reunion:
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Knight and the other four members of NKOTB announced in 2008 that the band will be rejoining after a handful of unsuccessful reunion efforts over the years. They released “The Block” later that year, the band’s first album in fourteen years.
It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums Chart and was followed by a long tour throughout the US, Canada, and portions of Europe. Lady Gaga and Natasha Bedingfield accompanied them on the tour.
The Backstreet Boys, Jordin Sparks, 98 Degrees, Boyz II Men, TLC, and Nelly continued to travel across the globe with the band. They were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2014.
NKOTB produced a new music video in 2019 for the song “Boys in the Band (Boy Band Anthem),” which is a homage to a variety of renowned boy bands over the years.
Other boy band members from New Edition, N-Sync, and Naughty by Nature, among others, made cameo appearances in the video.
Personal Life:
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Knight talked out about his anxiety and panic episodes while in NKOTB some years after quitting the band.
He disclosed in 2000 that while playing with the band, he suffered from a generalized anxiety disorder, which was exacerbated by the band’s rigorous traveling schedule and frequent public scrutiny.
Knight’s sexuality was also exposed in a 2009 National Enquirer piece, which Knight has yet to clarify.
In 2011, former pop singer Tiffany, whom Knight had been linked to for years, claimed that he was homosexual, which Knight confirmed the following year. Knight denies ever concealing his sexuality, claiming instead that he decided not to come out publicly.
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Knight has been in a relationship with personal trainer Harley Rodriguez since 2008. The pair competed in the reality program The Amazing Race in 2015, coming in ninth place.
In 2016, while on vacation in Africa, Knight proposed to Rodriguez, and the two have been engaged since. Knight’s farmhouse in Massachusetts is where the two share a home.