Karamo Brown Withdraws from ‘Queer Eye’ Season 10 Press Amid Mental Health Concerns
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — As Netflix prepares to release the tenth and final season of the acclaimed series Queer Eye, the show’s promotional tour has been overshadowed by the unexpected absence of Karamo Brown, one of the beloved Fab Five. Brown, who has been a central figure on the show for nearly a decade, withdrew from scheduled media appearances citing mental health reasons and allegations of emotional abuse, sparking concern and surprise among his castmates and fans alike.
During a recent interview with Gayle King on CBS, the sudden news of Brown’s absence was met with palpable shock. King disclosed that Brown’s assistant had informed the team less than an hour before the interview that Brown would not participate, reportedly due to fears of “being bullied.” Brown’s statement emphasized the importance of mental health, urging viewers to “focus on and to protect their mental health/peace from people or a world who seek to destroy it,” explaining that this was the reason he could not be present.
Antoni Porowski, the show’s food and wine expert, described the situation as one where “surprise is a fair understatement,” reflecting on the complexities of their long-standing professional and personal relationships. “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,” he said during the interview.
Jonathan Van Ness, known for his candidness and advocacy, expressed admiration for Brown’s decision, highlighting a lesson he has learned from his colleague: “We have to meet people where they’re at. And he has taught people to center what they need. And I’m actually really proud of him. Center what you need. Do the things you need to do to take care of you.”
Brown’s absence was also noted on NBC’s Today Show, where hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones read an email from Brown’s assistant stating that he “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.” The show played a video message from Brown in which he described the upcoming season as “amazing” and thanked fans, crew, and Netflix executives for their support.
Tan France, the fashion expert of the Fab Five, echoed a sentiment that the show’s impact extends beyond its hosts. “The show was never about us. Yes, we were the faces of the show, but the show is about our heroes,” he said, underscoring the transformative stories featured on the program.
As the cast navigates this challenging moment, social media activity has reflected the strain in their relationships; Brown does not currently follow Antoni Porowski, Tan France, or Jonathan Van Ness on Instagram, nor do they follow him.
The situation highlights the growing awareness and importance of mental health in the entertainment industry, an issue that has gained increasing attention from organizations such as the National Institute of Mental Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The decision by Brown to prioritize his well-being amid public scrutiny aligns with broader efforts to destigmatize mental health challenges.
As fans await the final season of Queer Eye, the cast’s unified message remains one of support and respect for Brown’s choice to prioritize his peace. The show’s legacy, built on empathy, transformation, and acceptance, continues to resonate even as it faces this unexpected internal turbulence.
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