Karamo Brown Exits Queer Eye Finale Interviews Amid Strain

When the cast of Netflix’s beloved makeover series Queer Eye sat down for a series of high-profile morning show interviews on January 20, 2026, fans expected a celebratory send-off for the show’s tenth and final season. Instead, the absence of Karamo Brown—the show’s resident culture expert and a fixture across all ten seasons—cast a somber shadow over the festivities. Less than an hour before the scheduled appearance on CBS Mornings, Brown’s assistant notified producers that he would not be joining the group, citing concerns about his mental health and fears of being bullied. The news, which broke live on air as anchor Gayle King read Brown’s statement to his castmates, quickly became the day’s headline.

In his statement, Brown addressed viewers and his colleagues directly: “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.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brown’s assistant elaborated in a note to NBC’s Today 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.”

The impact of Brown’s absence was immediate and palpable. Antoni Porowski, the show’s food and wine expert, described his reaction as one of shock. “Surprised is a fair understatement,” he said on CBS Mornings. “Our Queer Eye family—we’ve been doing this for almost a decade, which is pretty wild to believe—and families are complicated. We’re definitely not excluded from that.” Porowski’s comments reflected both the deep bonds and the complex dynamics that have developed among the so-called Fab Five over the years.

Jeremiah Brent, who joined the cast in season nine following the departure of original design expert Bobby Berk, spoke to his own experience with the group. “My experience in this group has been transformative. To see the way that they move through the world; the way that they have taught me so much about life and friendship and love. I have felt safe and supported by the people up here. I’ve loved every second of this thing, and I am so excited that we get to do this and share this next season, because the show really is just about highlighting the best of humanity. That’s really what it is, and nobody needs that more than this country,” Brent said, according to Variety.

Jonathan Van Ness, the show’s grooming guru, offered a particularly heartfelt tribute to Brown’s influence. “One thing that I’ve been so honored to learn from Karamo in my time is…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. I’d be lying if I didn’t feel like that sometimes. I think it’s really beautiful,” Van Ness said, as quoted by CBS News and Variety.

Tan France, the fashion expert, reflected on the show’s larger mission. “The show was never about us. Yes, we were the faces of the show, but the show is about our heroes,” France said during the interviews. He also expressed hope that the country would continue striving for acceptance, even as he acknowledged that the journey was far from complete. “I pray we will continue to fight for acceptance but it is not just ours. It is our entire nation’s responsibility at this point to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.”

Brown’s decision to step away from the spotlight, even temporarily, is not without precedent in the entertainment industry. But his explicit invocation of mental health and his willingness to speak openly about feeling “mentally and emotionally abused for years” set his absence apart. The assistant’s email, read aloud on Today, made clear that Brown’s withdrawal was not a publicity stunt but a measure advised by his therapist to protect his well-being. “He’s been advised by his therapist to protect himself and his peace by not attending,” the statement read.

In lieu of a live appearance, Brown sent a video message to fans and the Queer Eye crew, describing the new season as “amazing” and expressing gratitude to everyone involved. “Thank you to everyone around the world for welcoming me into their homes for 10 seasons. Season 10 is amazing and I know you will fall in love with the deserving people we helped. Though the show is ending, 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. Thank you to the crew for being the best in business and the executives for believing in me. 10 seasons, I’m truly humbled.”

Brown’s absence has prompted both public support and speculation about the group’s internal dynamics. Although he did not name specific individuals or incidents, the timing of his statement—paired with reports of past tensions on set—has fueled rumors of a toxic environment. As reported by NJ.com, whispers of drama surfaced earlier in 2024, when a Rolling Stone exposé included anonymous claims about anger issues and a challenging work atmosphere, particularly involving Van Ness. Van Ness addressed those allegations during a June 2024 podcast appearance, calling them “overwhelmingly untrue and done in bad faith.”

Despite the rumors and the current rift, the cast’s public responses have generally emphasized support and understanding. Porowski stated, “We fully support as a collective unit him taking care of himself. To echo what he’s saying, we’re here to honor the legacy of a decade.” Brent, France, and Van Ness echoed similar sentiments, reiterating the importance of self-care and the lessons they’ve learned from Brown’s example.

Interestingly, as of January 20, 2026, Brown no longer follows Porowski, France, or Van Ness on Instagram, and they do not follow him—a subtle but telling sign of the strains within the group, as noted by Variety.

Throughout its run, Queer Eye has been celebrated for its message of acceptance, transformation, and empathy. The show’s format—five experts helping participants with everything from food and fashion to self-love and mental health—has resonated with millions. As the curtain falls on the series, Brown’s absence and his candid remarks serve as a reminder that even the most uplifting projects are not immune to real-world struggles. In his own words, “Love yourselves and protect yourselves. That’s why I’m here at home and not there.”

With the tenth and final season set to premiere on Netflix on January 21, fans are left to ponder the legacy of Queer Eye—not just as a show that changed lives on screen, but as a workplace where the pursuit of kindness and authenticity remains a work in progress.