The promotional rollout for the tenth and final season of Netflix's beloved makeover series "Queer Eye" encountered an unexpected hurdle this week, as cast member Karamo Brown withdrew from scheduled television appearances at the last minute. Brown cited pressing mental health concerns as the reason for his absence, casting a shadow over the celebratory press tour for the show's concluding chapter, which is set in Washington, D.C.
Sudden Absence from Key Interviews
On Tuesday, Brown was slated to join his co-stars Jeremiah Brent, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, and Jonathan Van Ness for an interview on "CBS Mornings" to promote Season 10, which debuts Wednesday. However, as the segment began, host Gayle King read a statement from Brown explaining his decision not to attend. "I hope everyone remembers the main theme I have tried to teach them over the past decade, which is to focus on and to protect their mental health/peace from people or a world who seek to destroy it; which is why I can't be there today," the statement conveyed.
King added that Brown's assistant had informed her the culture expert was "worried about being bullied," though no further details were provided. The remaining four cast members appeared visibly surprised by the announcement, holding each other's hands throughout the interview in a show of solidarity.
Co-stars Express Support Amidst Complicated Dynamics
Antoni Porowski addressed the situation during the CBS appearance, acknowledging the complexities within their long-running team. "I will say, our 'Queer Eye' family ... we've been doing this for almost a decade, which is pretty wild to believe, and families are complicated and we're definitely not excluded from that," Porowski remarked. "But I think two things can exist at the same time, and while that is definitely true, we're also here to showcase these incredible heroes that we have and really honor the legacy of this past decade of our lives."
Later that same day, the group faced Brown's absence again during an appearance on NBC's "Today With Jenna & Sheinelle." This time, Brown shared a pre-recorded video message thanking Netflix, the "Queer Eye" crew, and the show's fans, but notably omitted any mention of his co-stars. "Just like the themes of this season, I'm modeling what I believe is most important, which I want to remind you all: Love yourselves and protect yourselves," he stated in the clip. "That's why I'm here, at home, and not there."
Assistant Provides Further Insight
Co-host Sheinelle Jones also read a statement from Brown's assistant, which offered a more detailed explanation. It revealed that "Karamo has felt mentally and emotionally abused for years and he's been advised by his therapist to protect himself and his peace by not attending." During this second interview, the four present cast members again held hands and appeared more emotionally affected, yet they pivoted the discussion back to the series' legacy.
"Look, we're so sorry that he's not here," Porowski expressed. "We fully support, I think, as a collective unit, him taking care of himself. And to echo what he's saying, we're here to honor the legacy of a decade, which is so wild to think about." Representatives for Netflix did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Brown's absence from the press tour.
Background of Tensions Within the Fab Five
This incident is not the first time internal dynamics within the "Queer Eye" cast have made headlines. The show, a reboot of Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," premiered on Netflix in 2018 to critical acclaim, winning 12 Emmy Awards over nine seasons and turning its five stars into household names. However, in November 2023, original cast member Bobby Berk announced his departure after eight seasons, sparking rumors of behind-the-scenes discord.
A Rolling Stone exposé published in March 2024 alleged that Tan France and Antoni Porowski engaged in "mean-girl antics" to facilitate Berk's exit, making way for his replacement, Jeremiah Brent. More severe accusations were directed at Jonathan Van Ness, with anonymous production sources and former colleagues describing the hairstylist as a "nightmare" and "monster" who could be "demeaning" and emotionally "abusive."
France denied involvement in Berk's departure, while Van Ness addressed the claims in a June 2024 podcast appearance, calling them "overwhelmingly untrue" but acknowledging room for personal growth. "I know there were times where I could have been better," Van Ness admitted, noting that the article prompted self-reflection and a commitment to self-love.
As "Queer Eye" prepares to bow out with its final season, the focus on mental health and interpersonal relationships among the cast adds a poignant layer to the show's farewell, underscoring the real-life challenges that can accompany a decade in the spotlight.
