Jonathan Bennett found his own real-life love story with Jaymes Vaughan, and their relationship has grown into a marriage, business partnership and close friendship.
The Mean Girls star first met Vaughan in October 2016 when Vaughan interviewed him on the entertainment news program Celebrity Page. What started as a professional meeting quickly became something much more personal. Bennett later recalled that he was immediately struck by Vaughan and even wondered if he had just met his future husband.
Vaughan remembered their first meeting somewhat differently. While Bennett felt an instant attraction, Vaughan was initially focused on doing his interview and moving on with his day. Still, he said there was a feeling of “electricity” between them when they took a photo together.
Several years later, the couple became engaged and eventually married in Mexico in 2022. Their wedding was a major milestone for both men and was surrounded by family and close friends.
Today, Bennett and Vaughan continue to work together, travel together and support each other’s careers.
Who Is Jonathan Bennett’s Husband?
Jaymes Vaughan is Jonathan Bennett’s husband.
Vaughan is a television personality, host, actor and former reality TV star who has built a career in front of the camera.
Before becoming known for his relationship with Bennett, Vaughan had already established himself in the entertainment industry. He worked as a television host and appeared in reality television, while also taking on acting roles.
He grew up in Chesterfield County, Virginia, before eventually making his home in Las Vegas. Vaughan has described Las Vegas as a place that feels like home to him because of its close community atmosphere.
His career and Bennett’s have sometimes overlapped, but the two have also developed separate professional identities.
Their relationship has therefore become more than a celebrity romance. They have built businesses and creative projects together while continuing to support each other’s individual work.
How Did Jonathan Bennett Meet Jaymes Vaughan?
Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan first met in October 2016.
At the time, Vaughan was working as a host on Celebrity Page, and he interviewed Bennett for the program.
Bennett later recalled the meeting with a sense of humor. He said that when he first saw Vaughan, he thought Vaughan was the most beautiful man he had ever seen. Bennett even went to the bathroom to fix his hair before meeting him.
He then asked the producer whether he was about to meet his future husband, and she apparently responded that she thought he was.
Vaughan’s recollection was a little less dramatic. He explained that he was prepared to conduct his interview and get on with his day, although he did feel something special when the two took a photograph together.
That difference in their memories has become a charming part of their relationship story.
For Bennett, it was close to love at first sight. For Vaughan, the romance took a little more time to develop.
Their Relationship Became Serious
After their first meeting, Bennett and Vaughan began dating and gradually built a serious relationship.
The couple spent several years together before becoming engaged in November 2020.
Their engagement marked an important turning point. By then, their relationship had developed well beyond their first meeting on television, and they were ready to plan a future together.
Vaughan’s home base in Las Vegas also became part of their shared life. When they got engaged, Vaughan joked that Bennett would now have to live in Vegas with him because it was home.
Bennett was apparently more than happy with the arrangement and said he loved Las Vegas too.
The pair later split their time between Las Vegas and Palm Springs, California, before moving away from their Palm Springs home in 2023.
Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan’s Wedding
Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan married on March 19, 2022, in Mexico.
The couple’s wedding was surrounded by more than 100 family members and close friends. Bennett described the occasion as a dream wedding and said that at times it felt so perfect that they had to remind themselves they were not on a movie set.
The wedding was also meaningful because it represented a personal milestone for Vaughan.
He later explained that Bennett had changed his life for the better, describing the relationship as a dream come true for his younger self.
The ceremony was emotional for both men. Vaughan said that neither fully realised how overwhelming the moment would feel until they were actually standing together on their wedding day.
When Bennett began crying, Vaughan became emotional as well, and the feelings spread through their guests.
It was clearly more than a glamorous wedding. It was an important personal moment for the couple.
Their First Dance Had a Special Meaning
One of the most memorable parts of Bennett and Vaughan’s wedding was their first dance.
The couple danced to “Our Song,” a song Vaughan wrote for Bennett as part of his proposal.
That made the moment particularly personal because the song was created specifically for their relationship.
Bennett later described the first dance as unforgettable. He recalled hearing his husband sing the song while they danced together, surrounded by friends and family, with fireworks taking place around them.
The scene felt almost like one of Bennett’s Hallmark movies, except this time the romantic story was his real life.
It was an especially fitting moment for Bennett, who has become closely associated with Hallmark’s romantic movies.
Their Marriage and Life Together
Bennett and Vaughan have continued to celebrate their relationship since getting married.
In March 2024, Bennett marked their second wedding anniversary with a tribute to his husband, describing Vaughan as his best friend and saying that he felt incredibly lucky to have married him.
Vaughan also shared his own message, describing their marriage as even better than he had dreamed and calling Bennett his best friend and soulmate.
The couple’s relationship appears to be built around more than romance. Friendship is clearly a major part of their marriage.
They also enjoy travelling together and have shared glimpses of their adventures in different parts of the world.
Jaymes Vaughan’s Television Career
Vaughan has had a varied career in entertainment.
He has worked as a television host, actor and reality TV personality. Before becoming a host, he worked as a Chippendales host in Las Vegas.
He later appeared on The Amazing Race season 21 with his colleague James Davis.
Interestingly, Vaughan and Davis initially turned down the opportunity to compete on the show. They eventually changed their minds after Vaughan’s father was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
The pair decided to participate partly to help make sure Vaughan’s parents were financially supported during the difficult period.
They ultimately finished as runners-up rather than winning the $1 million prize.
Vaughan later continued working in television and appeared on MTV’s The Real Friends of WeHo in 2023.
He also stepped away from his Celebrity Page hosting role in 2022 after eight years.
Jaymes Vaughan and Jonathan Bennett Work Together
Although both men have their own careers, Bennett and Vaughan have also joined forces professionally.
They are co-owners of OUTbound, an LGBTQ+ travel company created to offer a welcoming and safe travel environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The idea developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the couple found themselves wanting to travel with other people from the LGBTQ+ community.
Alongside their friend Eric Hodgson, they developed the company around the idea of creating a safe and welcoming travel experience.
The couple also host the Pridecast podcast for iHeartRadio. The podcast was nominated for a GLAAD award.
Their shared professional projects show how naturally their personal relationship has extended into their working lives.
Their Importance as an LGBTQ+ Couple
Bennett and Vaughan have also become notable figures for LGBTQ+ representation.
In 2021, they became the first gay couple to appear on the cover of The Knot.
For Vaughan, the moment was especially meaningful because he viewed representation as a way of making life easier for younger LGBTQ+ people.
He spoke about the importance of helping future generations feel seen, normal and hopeful about their own lives.
Their appearance was more than a magazine cover for the couple. It represented a wider change in how LGBTQ+ relationships are portrayed in mainstream media.
Jaymes Supports Jonathan’s Career
Vaughan has also consistently supported Bennett’s work.
He celebrated Bennett’s Hallmark projects and has publicly expressed pride in his husband’s acting career.
When Bennett starred in The Holiday Sitter, Vaughan praised the film and said he could imagine how meaningful it would have been for his younger self to see a story like that.
Vaughan was also there when Bennett made his Broadway debut in Spamalot in New York City. He praised Bennett’s determination and encouraged him to take in the achievement because it represented years of hard work.
That support has been a consistent part of their relationship.
Their Hallmark Connection
Bennett’s career has included several important LGBTQ+ roles, including The Christmas House, which became notable for featuring a gay couple prominently.
Vaughan was with Bennett when the actor first received the script.
Bennett later recalled being emotional when he discovered that the story included a gay character discussing adoption with his husband.
He immediately went to tell Vaughan about the role, describing it as a moment when he felt truly seen.
That story also reflects the connection between Bennett’s professional work and his personal life.
Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan Today
Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan have built a relationship that goes far beyond their first meeting on a television program.
They met in 2016, became engaged in 2020 and married in Mexico in 2022. Since then, they have continued to build their life together through travel, business, entertainment and shared projects.
Vaughan remains an important supporter of Bennett’s career, while Bennett has also embraced Vaughan’s work and ambitions.
Their relationship has become a genuine partnership, with the two men balancing marriage, careers, travel and their shared commitment to LGBTQ+ representation.
For anyone asking who Jonathan Bennett’s husband is, the answer is Jaymes Vaughan, a television host, actor and entrepreneur who first met Bennett during an interview in 2016. What began as a television encounter eventually became a lasting marriage and one of the most meaningful partnerships in both men’s lives.