Jonathan Knight and his husband, Harley Rodriguez, recently shared the charming story of their first meeting, a moment that has since blossomed into a beautiful relationship. Their journey began in 2008, a significant year for Knight as it marked the reunion of New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) for their comeback album, “The Block.” Despite the band’s enduring popularity, Rodriguez was one of the few who had no idea who they were.
Rodriguez, now 51, explained to ET’s Cassie DiLaura that his unfamiliarity with the band was largely due to his age. “I heard their music on the radio and stuff like that but I was never a fan … I never went to a concert, nothing,” he admitted. This lack of knowledge about NKOTB set the stage for a unique and genuine connection between the two.
Knight, who has since transitioned from his boy band days to become an HGTV star, reminisced about their first encounter. He met Rodriguez at Barry’s Bootcamp, where Rodriguez was a trainer. At the time, NKOTB was deep into rehearsals, leaving Knight with little personal time. His only respite was during Rodriguez’s fitness classes.
“So, all of a sudden we had met. He invited me to his first show at House of Blues in L.A.,” Rodriguez recalled. “It was a pre-tour thing. So, I’m sitting up there with a friend and these girls down on stage are screaming, crying and holding posters. I turn to my friend and go, ‘Is this for real?!’ These women were actually reverting to their 12-year-old kids, which was amazing. But it wasn’t part of my growing up. I was like, ‘Oh, they’re big.’ And then when he showed me all the merchandise they had I was like, ‘OK, you guys were huge.'”
Their relationship quickly progressed from casual dinners after workouts to a romantic engagement in 2016 during an African safari, with their mothers present to share in the joy. By 2022, the couple had tied the knot, a milestone they exclusively revealed to ET. Knight, now 55, confirmed their marriage after being spotted with a wedding ring.
Reflecting on their first meeting, Knight expressed his amusement at Rodriguez’s initial ignorance of his fame. “I love the first night we met, he had no clue who I was,” Knight said with a smile. “And that’s kind of awesome.”
Their love story continues to unfold, with Rodriguez making appearances on Knight’s new HGTV series, “Farmhouse Fixer: Camp Revamp.” The show follows Knight as he undertakes the ambitious project of renovating an abandoned 12-acre campground into a picturesque New England vacation destination. Rodriguez, along with Knight’s brother and bandmate Jordan, will be featured in the series.
Knight shared his vision for the project, which is expected to take two years to complete. “Everything we do we’re gearing towards the lake and the lake life,” Knight explained. “And the good thing is some of these cottages have porches. So, we really wanted to dress them up and give people a place to come and relax. What’s better than taking an afternoon nap on your porch?”
The couple’s journey from a chance meeting at a fitness class to a life filled with love and shared projects is a testament to the power of genuine connections. Their story is a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful relationships begin in the most unexpected ways.
