Jonathan Bennett Reveals Husband’s Hidden Struggle With Eating Disorder From Schatzki Ring

Hi, I’m Avery Sinclair. Yup, I know celebrities have problems like the rest of us, except theirs often come with Instagram announcements and supportive comments from other famous faces. Let’s keep it short, sharp, and factual: Jonathan Bennett has publicly revealed that his husband, Jaymes Vaughan, suffered for years with a Schatzki ring that made eating nearly impossible until a recent procedure finally opened his throat.

Before you roll your eyes at another “celebrity health update,” know this is actually useful information. Bennett, 44, posted a video Sunday showing Vaughan, 42, eating an omelet and hash browns after treatment that, according to Bennett, fixed the problem that made his husband throw up almost every time he tried to eat. Bennett explicitly explained what a Schatzki ring is, calling it a ring of tissue at the lower end of the esophagus near the stomach that can make swallowing and eating painful and difficult. He also revealed that this had affected nearly every meal the couple shared during Vaughan’s adult life.

In the video, a visibly emotional Vaughan asks, “Oh my God, babe. Is this what it’s like when you eat and it goes down?” Bennett replies simply, “Yes.” That clip is both tender and revelatory: tender because you watch a spouse witnessing relief after years of suffering, revelatory because it highlights a fairly obscure medical condition that many people probably do not know about.

This post was not just a vulnerable moment; Bennett framed the reveal as a public service. He said he shared the story “in case it could help someone who has this condition but didn’t know about it for 20 years like my husband.” He urged followers to “talk to your doctor and ask questions,” which is exactly the kind of practical takeaway that separates a celebrity moment from a genuine PSA.

Unsurprisingly, the clip drew supportive comments from fans and fellow actors. Danica McKeller wrote that she had no idea Vaughan was going through that and expressed happiness for him, while Hunter King called Vaughan “an angel” who deserves the world. Public sympathy and encouragement rolled in, which is nice to see when the topic is someone’s health rather than another contrived feud or PR stunt.

Quick personal context: Bennett and Vaughan’s relationship began in 2016 when Vaughan interviewed Bennett on a program called Celebrity Page. Bennett later told The Knot about their meet-cute and how he immediately thought Vaughan was “the most beautiful man” he had ever seen. The couple got engaged in November 2020 and married at a Mexican resort less than two years later. Their relationship has always had a warm, visible dynamic, and this recent post adds a serious, candid chapter to that public narrative.

So what’s the takeaway beyond the warm fuzzies? First, Schatzki rings are real and a legitimate cause of chronic swallowing problems. Second, celebrity disclosures like this can increase awareness and prompt people to speak up to their doctors about longstanding issues they have normalized or ignored. Third, if you’re going to share a vulnerable life moment publicly, at least include a practical tip: Bennett’s “talk to your doctor” line is a keeper.

It may be easy to snark about the timing or the platform, but the facts are clear: a medical procedure helped Jaymes Vaughan eat without fear for the first time in years, and Jonathan Bennett used his platform to both celebrate and educate. That’s the useful side of celebrity overshare.

And that’s today’s reality check. You’re welcome.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Instagram (Jonathan Bennett)
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed