Jonathan Knight rose to fame as a member of the popular boy band New Kids on the Block. The group’s global success is evidenced by their impressive record sales of over 70 million albums, including their first album which achieved triple platinum status in the US.
Jonathan Knight Bio Summary
Full name: Jonathan Rashleigh Knight
Place of birth: Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Date of birth: 29 November 1968
Age: 56 years old (2024)
Height: 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight: 174 lbs (79 kg)
Eye color: Hazel
Hair color: Black
Religion: Christianity
Nationality: American
Zodiac sign: Sagittarius
Gender: Male
Father: Allan Knight
Mother: Marlene Putnam
Sibling: Jordan Knight
Sexual orientation: Gay
Partner: Harley Rodriguez
Profession: American singer
Early Life
Jonathan Knight was born on November 29, 1968, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the fifth of six children and his parents, Marlene and Allan Knight, hailed from Ontario, Canada.
Knight spent his childhood attending the nearby Episcopal church and singing in the church choir. During this period, his and his brother, Jordan Knight’s musical talents were initially acknowledged.
Career
At 16 years old, Jonathan Knight became a member of New Kids on the Block when his brother Jordan was invited to join the group by Donnie Wahlberg.
Wahlberg was discovered by talent agent Mary Alford, who was approached by producer Maurice Starr to create the next popular boyband, following his success with groups such as New Edition.
The original five members of the group were Wahlberg, the two Knight brothers, Wahlberg’s younger brother Mark, and their friends Jamie Kelly and Danny Wood. However, after a few months, both Mark and Jamie left and were replaced by 12-year-old Joey McIntyre.
Starr led the band in rehearsals after school and on weekends, and they were initially known as Nynuk. However, after signing with Columbia Records, the band was required to change their name to New Kids on the Block (NKOTB). Despite Starr’s hard work, their first album, released in 1986, did not achieve much success.
NKOTB had a lot of success in the early 1990s. In 1990, they put out their third album, “Step by Step,” which included more tracks written by the band members. The group traveled across the United States, Europe, and Asia for their tour.
However, Jonathan Knight‘s anxiety began to intensify during this period, leading him to depart from the band while they were on tour for their fourth album, “Face the Music.”
After his departure from NKOTB, Knight achieved professional triumphs in fields unrelated to show business. While some of his former bandmates chose paths in acting or solo music, Knight opted for the business realm. He has been thriving in the real estate industry in his native Massachusetts.
Aside from real estate, Knight also started to refurbish houses and properties following his departure from NKOTB. He has a particular interest in revamping old farmhouses, including his current residence.
HGTV recognized his skill, and his new show, “Farmhouse Fixer,” debuted on the network in March 2021. The show centers on renovating farmhouses in the New England region.
Personal Life
Jonathan Knight has been dating personal trainer Harley Rodriguez since 2008. Together, they joined the cast of The Amazing Race in 2015 and finished in 9th place. In 2016, Knight proposed to Rodriguez during their trip to Africa. They have been engaged ever since and reside in Knight’s farmhouse in Massachusetts.
Net Worth
With a net worth of $14 million, Jonathan Knight is a renowned American singer, most famous for being a member of the popular boy band New Kids on the Block.
During the band’s “Face the Music” tour in 1994, Knight’s departure led to the group’s initial disbandment. The band received recognition for their music, including a Grammy nomination and two American Music Awards.
