Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett reveals husband’s rare health condition
Jaymes Vaughan and Jonathan Bennett (Getty)
Jaymes Vaughan and Jonathan Bennett (Getty)
Jonathan Bennett has shared that his husband, Jaymes Vaughan, has been dealing with a rare health condition “almost his entire adult life”. But, thankfully, that appears to be over now.
The Mean Girls star has been with Vaughan since 2016. The pair got engaged four years later and married in 2022.
On Monday (11 August) Bennett shared a video showing Vaughan eating a meal and getting emotional. “Is this what it’s like when you eat? It just goes down?” a teary Vaughan asks of Bennett who replies, “Yes.”
In the caption Bennett explained that Vaughan has long-suffered with a condition called Schatzki ring. This is where tissue forms at the lower part of the oesophagus that connects to the stomach narrows.
It can cause issues with swallowing food, which Bennett indicated was how it had affected Vaughan. The Mean Girls actor said the condition “made it impossible for [Vaughan] to eat without throwing up.”
However, the TV personality had a procedure done the day before the video was filmed, which opened up his throat. “This is the first time over the over 3,400 meals I’ve sat across from him where I didn’t feel like he was fighting for his life just to get through it,” said Bennett.
“So happy for him that he can now enjoy a delicious meal without worry,” wrote one follower in the comments. “I’m so happy for you!,” added another, while someone else put “this angel deserves the world!!!”
According to the NHS, a Schatzki ring can be formed as a result of irritation caused by acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The presence of acid can lead to inflammation and damage leading to the formation of the tissue.
The treatment for a Schatzki ring, as appears to be the case with Bennett and Vaughan, is a procedure called an oesophageal dilation, where dilator balloons are used to stretch the ring.
