In could possibly be the most drastic career change in history, Barney, everyone's favorite purple dinosaur is now a tantra massage specialist and spiritual healer.
David Joyner, the man who donned the costume throughout the '90s, now runs a tantric sex business called Tantra Harmony. For $350, the service offers a ritual bath, chakra balancing, a massage, and, if the client wants, mind-blowing orgasm to release all blocked up energy.
For A Goddess
"When the lingam [penis] and the yoni [vagina] meet, there's a certain energy that takes place that hands on the body alone cannot create," Joyner told Vice. "Even through G-spot massage, it's still not the same energy that flows."
The publication reported that Tantra Harmony currently has about 30 clients whom Joyner calls "goddesses." The former TV personality also revealed that he unblocks the energy of about two or four women a week.
Joyner added that his work as a tantra massage specialist is not very different from his previous job as Barney, the beloved dinosaur from Barney & Friends on PBS. From 1991 to 2001, Joyner played the role which, he said, embodied the foundations of tantra.
"Everything stems, grows, and evolves from love," he explained. "Even when you have emotionally blocked energy, the best way to remove it is to remove it with love, and then replace it with God's divine love. Love heals and allows you to continue to grow."
He added that, his beliefs have always been helpful to his work as the man behind the costume. He said that, before every show, he prayed that God's "loving divine spirit" flow through him and draw the kids. His tantra also allowed him to wear the 70-pound costume for several hours and endure the heat (which can reach up to 120 degrees).
However, Joyner said that his contract with PBS did not allow him to practice or even talk about tantra openly as long as he was playing the character. Still, he said that he was devoted to tantra throughout his television career, something that a few members of the crew knew.
"David was eccentric and wonderful and into things that I wouldn't have been privy to given age at the time," said Leah Montes, the child actress who appeared on Barney & Friends from age 9 to 15. "He was a normal, funny, really energetic, and happy guy."
Show writer, Stephen White, commented that he only learned about Joyner's business a few years ago. While he finds the transition from Barney to tantra massage "interesting," he said he does not judge the man's passion.
Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato also appeared on the show beginning in 2001.
Goddess Testimonials
Joyner does not advertise his business; clients hear about the service through word of mouth or, in some case, dating apps. On the website of Tantra Harmony, a "goddess" said that she came across the tantra specialist's profile on Tinder. A survivor of sexual assault as a child, she said the service helped her get over her trauma.
Another client said that her persistent migraines caused by a concussion disappeared after just one session with Tantra Harmony.
There are over 20 testimonials from satisfied clients posted on his website — all claiming that he helped them in one way or another.
