Johnny Rittenhouse Jr.
Johnny Edward Rittenhouse Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Add a Photo | |
| Born | July 27, 1998 |
| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | United States of America |
| Occupation | Designer |
Johnny Edward Rittenhouse Jr. (d. July 27, 1998)[1] was a Black gay designer and dressmaker whose work played a pivotal role in the styles developed by Beyoncé, Solange, and Tina Knowles.[2] Rittenhouse was an important part of the Knowles' home during Beyoncé and Solange's childhood. He was the nephew of Tina and an older first cousin to the sisters, but he helped raise them and so they referred to him as "Uncle Johnny."[2] He designed and sewed clothing for their family, including Beyoncé's prom dress as well as the dress worn by Tina Knowles in the photograph appearing in Beyoncé's 2022 album, Renaissance.[3] He appears alongside Tina in the photograph featured in the liner notes and is the "Uncle Johnny" referenced in Beyoncé's 2022 song "Heated." Beyoncé notes that Johnny's love of house music, which he played for her as a child, had a foundational impact and Tina Knowles also credits his design and dressmaking work as helping inspire the foundation of the House of Dereon and the costuming for Destiny's Child.[4] In 2019, Beyoncé dedicated her GLAAD award to Rittenhouse in her acceptance speech, calling him "the most fabulous gay man I ever knew."[5] Rittenhouse passed away from complications due to HIV in the summer of 1998. Beyoncé describes her 2022 album and touring performances of Renaissance as a tribute to Johnny and his generation of "fallen angels" who died during the AIDS epidemic as "pioneers who originate culture... whose contributions have gone unrecognized for far too long."[2]
References
- ↑ "The Galveston Daily News 31 Jul 1998, page Page 5". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Who Was Beyonce's Uncle Jonny?". Harper's BAZAAR. 2022-07-29. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
- ↑ Aniftos, Rania (2022-07-29). "Tina Knowles Gushes Over Beyoncé's Album Dedication to Uncle Johnny: 'He Helped Me Raise Them'". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
- ↑ GRIFFIN, LINDA GILLAN (2001-06-24). "Fashion: Beyoncé Knowles' mom brings creativity to costumes..." Chron. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
- ↑ Nast, Condé (2019-03-29). "Beyoncé Gives an Emotional Speech at the GLAAD Media Awards: "To Choose Who You Love Is Your Human Right"". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
External links
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