Four months after the only member of the Fab Five from the show's reboot «Queer Eye »"After missing the live stream of the reunion on Netflix, Karamo Brown shares his story of the behind-the-scenes drama, which he describes as years of toxic relationships, bullying, and his own relapse during his sobriety and recovery.
«"I was depressed," Brown said in an interview. People magazine for the June cover. "I felt ashamed because I was teaching people that they could be better, but in my own life, I was trapped.".
As the publication reported Out , his other co-stars from the series - Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness, Tan France and Jeremiah Brent - together promoted the premiere of the 10th season of the show on CBS Mornings channels и Today January 20. However, Brown shocked fans by sending a last-minute message declaring he would not appear with his co-stars.
«"I hope everyone remembers the main theme I've been trying to convey to them over the last decade," co-host Gayle King read from Brown's statement before the interview. "And that is, to focus on preserving your mental health and peace of mind and protecting it from people or from the world that seek to destroy it; that's why I'm not here today.".
King added that Brown's assistant said, "He's afraid he's going to be bullied." Today program Co-host Sheinelle Jones shared a similar message: "Karamo had felt like a victim of mental and emotional abuse for years, and his therapist advised him to protect himself and his peace of mind by not attending the event.".
Brown also sent a video message to the program Today , where he thanked the fans: "I just want to thank all the fans who have supported us and been with us for 10 seasons. This new season is going to be amazing. You're going to love every minute of it," Brown said.
Now, for the first time since that canceled performance, the show's "culture expert" explains what led to the Fab Five's breakup. "Enough," he said.
In an interview People magazine He said that in the past, he and his castmates "always bonded over the fans, but as I worked on myself, I started asking myself, 'If I'm going to be quiet now and pretend to be sick or something, whose peace am I protecting?'"«
According to Brown, it was years of toxic relationships with several of his co-stars on the show. «Queer Eye» , exacerbated, he says, by bullying and uncontrolled inappropriate behavior from executives and crew members. Without naming names, Brown accused producers of failing to protect him from harassment.
«"Everyone just said, 'Well, that's just the way he is,' instead of saying, 'That kind of behavior is unacceptable in a professional environment,'" he said. "It had a negative impact on me all the time.".
The show's production company, ITV America and Scout Productions, said in a statement to to People: «We categorically disagree with any assertion that the concerns expressed during filming Queer Eye , were ignored, dismissed, or ignored. Throughout the series' run, any concerns raised with the production management were taken seriously and addressed appropriately. The production team consistently fostered a respectful and professional environment for the cast and crew, including ongoing training, coaching, and other support, maintaining clear rules and procedures throughout the production process.".
The producers added: «We remain incredibly proud of the impact the series has had.” Queer Eye , and the community he helped build over more than 20 years.».
In an interview with the magazine People A person who worked on the show was quoted as admitting that Queer Eye «"helped a lot of people," but in reality the environment was "terribly toxic.".
Although in 2023 the show's participants Queer Eye were named the best artists of the year by Out100 versions , Brown said viewers didn't see any of the behind-the-scenes drama, and it was overwhelming.
He said the first disagreements between himself, Van Ness, France, Porowski and Bobby Berk - who was reported The Advocate , left the show after eight seasons and was replaced by Brent in 2024—arose after a sexual harassment complaint was filed against him in the first few weeks of filming.
According to Brown, he and an unnamed member of the "Fab Five" had a "fun and flirtatious" relationship during the show's casting process. He initially blamed his castmate for filing the complaint, but later learned that an anonymous third party was behind it.
«"It broke us," he said. "We all realized how divided we were.".
Brown claims he was cleared of all charges. However, a source within the film crew refuted Brown's account of events. This source confirmed to the publication People , that an investigation had been conducted and stated that "all parties wanted to move forward with the show.".
By According to multiple sources, Brown's relationship with France and Van Ness, who previously denied allegations of emotional and verbal abuse on the set of 2024, became another huge source of behind-the-scenes intrigue. Tensions only intensified when Rolling Stone magazine conducted an investigation into alleged emotional abuse by Van Ness.
«"Jonathan was often vocal about his frustrations," explained a source familiar with the cast's dynamics. "Others were more likely to create tension behind the scenes.".
Brown said he held no animosity toward Van Ness, despite the fact that they had not communicated directly for several months.
«"The way Jonathan invests in himself is commendable and inspiring," he said. "Growth isn't always obvious, but I respect him for the way he's moving through life now.".
Regarding his own mistakes, Brown acknowledged that he wasn't without sin: "There were times when I was hurt, and I responded in kind. I recognize my role and how my actions impacted people.".
The moment that broke him was when his mother overheard several of his co-stars talking badly about him during a visit to the set last year. Numerous sources confirmed that Van Ness, France, and Porowski were involved in the overheard conversation. Embarrassed, Brown says he never pressed her for details of what exactly was said.
«"I distinctly remember the tears in my mother's eyes," he recalled. "'I thought they were your friends,'" he recalled her repeating. "It made me realize I could no longer remain silent about how often I had been made to feel like an outcast.".
Brown even said the show's early days were rocky, particularly because of how he was treated. He recalled one senior production executive telling him point blank, "You're not a star. I'm firing you tomorrow.".
A source close to the production team added that during the first season, threats of dismissal arose frequently between the Fab Five and this high-ranking official due to creative differences. According to the source, this was due to a divergence in their visions of the tasks at hand.
«"[They] wanted them to come in and tear their houses apart and tell them how terrible everything was, because that's what the original Fab Five did," the insider said. "That vitriolic homosexuality worked in the early 2000s, but this new cast is a whole different ballgame.".
Brown's former co-stars did not respond to requests for comment. People about the comments, but Porowski spoke out about the accusations.
In an interview Variety , dedicated to promoting his new reality show «"The Best of the World with Antoni Porowski", «"food expert" from "» Queer Eye »" admits he still has more questions than answers when it comes to why Brown declined to join the January media tour that led to the Fab Five's breakup.
«"For those who followed how it all ended, I was saddened that I felt it took away from honoring the countless people who worked on the show from day one to the very end, as well as those who came and went, both in front of and behind the camera," Porowski told the publication. Variety.« To be honest, I'm left with more questions than answers, but I hope that people who appreciate this show will understand how much help we provided and how dedicated we were.".
Brown revealed that after twelve years of sobriety, he relapsed during the show's third season, and that "drinking led to marijuana, cocaine, pills," he said. "I wasn't coping, but I was pretending to be coping. I was so broken.".
He said he was now sober again: "I haven't had a single drink, a single cocktail, nothing," adding that he was following a 12-step program and attending meetings for those recovering from addiction.
If If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 access to free and confidential services. The Trans Lifeline is designed for transgender or gender non-conforming people, available by phone (877) 565-8860 . The hotline also provides resources for other crisis situations, such as domestic violence. The Trevor Project Lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and under) is available by phone. (866) 488-7386 . Users can also use the chat service on the website. TheTrevorProject.org/Help or send a message START to 678678.
This article originally appeared on Out: Karamo Brown reveals why he broke up the Fab Five and discusses the toxic atmosphere on Queer Eye.
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