Interior designer Nate Berkus is giving fans a rare glimpse into his private life with husband and Queer Eye star Jeremiah Brent. On the latest episode of the We Met At Acme podcast, Berkus not only promoted his new book Foundations but also revealed the story of how he met Brent and why their relationship is strictly monogamous.
A Fashion-World Matchmaker
Berkus credits fashion designer Rachel Zoe for introducing him to Brent, who once worked on Zoe’s show. “She called me and said, ‘We just hired this guy, and we call him baby Nate in the office. I think you’d really love him,’” Berkus recalled. Initially skeptical, Berkus didn’t act immediately. “I was like, ‘Wait… I’m dating a good friend of hers. What’s the connection?’”
It wasn’t until Zoe’s 40th birthday party in New York that the two finally met. Both were in relationships at the time, so nothing romantic happened right away. Two years later, with both single, Brent reached out, they went on a daytime date in New York, and the rest is history.
Fidelity First
Berkus didn’t shy away from sharing one non-negotiable in their marriage: fidelity. “Among our friends, we’re rare because we don’t have an open relationship. We discussed it early on, he’s all I need, and I’m all he needs,” he said.
He also admitted that jealousy plays a role. “I’m jealous, so non-monogamy wouldn’t work for us. He doesn’t like to admit it, but I think he is too,” Berkus explained. “It’s not how we define our relationship. That’s fine for other people, but not for us.”
Trust and communication are pillars of their marriage, Berkus said. “We understand each other’s fundamental values, about parenting, honesty, evolution, and communication. It’s a constant process.”
