Tina Knowles sat down for an interview with ABC News and revealed details about Uncle Johnny’s battle with AIDS. Knowles said she learned about her beloved nephew’s diagnosis when he became hospitalized.
“I went to see him, had no forewarning,” Knowles told ABC News.
Ms. Tina Knowles Lawson speaks about Beyoncé and Solange’s famous Uncle Johnny, his battle with AIDS and why it is important for stories like his to be told and remembered.
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) December 2, 2022
Stream “Viral: A World Without AIDS” with @JujuChangABC and @PerezReports now on https://t.co/xOyhGujnCg. pic.twitter.com/9jj1NGV9x7
Reflecting on the strong bond she shared with Uncle Johnny before his death, Knowles said he was her best friend growing up.
“Johnny was a light,” Knowles said. “Johnny was the funniest person in the whole world.”
The pair were especially connected by their love for fashion.
“We were designers, we were hairstylists, we were makeup artists,” Knowles said. “We just had a ball together. He made me laugh more than anybody else that I have ever seen in my life.”
The Knowles family regarded Uncle Johnny as their centerpiece.
“I wanna dedicate this award to my uncle, Johnny,” Beyoncé said at the GLAAD Awards in 2019, according to Rolling Stone. “The most fabulous gay man I have ever known.”
In July, Beyoncé dedicated her Renaissance album to LGBTQ+ pioneers, particularly Uncle Johnny, Billboard reports.
“A big thank you to my Uncle Johnny,” Beyoncé wrote in a letter she published along with the album. “He was my godmother and the first person to expose me to a lot of the music and culture that serve as inspiration for this album. Thank you to all of the pioneers who originate culture, to all of the fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognized for far too long. This is a celebration for you.”
According to The Grio, Tina Knowles joined ViiV Healthcare’s “Me In You, You In Me” campaign in May to advocate for HIV prevention and care.
