Karamo Brown Skips ‘Queer Eye’ Season 10 Press, Unfollows Co-Stars After Alleged Hot Mic Incident

Gayes! It looks like Karamo Brown is embroiled in a beef with his fellow Queer Eye co-stars. Not only has Brown skipped out on multiple live interviews to promote the hit Netflix show’s 10th and final season, but he has also unfollowed some of his co-stars.

Brown’s beef with his co-stars started last summer during production on the show’s 10th season in Washington, D.C. A source close to the production reportedly told TMZ that when Brown took a break away from his co-stars, his Mother overheard Porowski, France, and Van Ness speaking negatively about Brown.

This alleged incident has seemingly spilled over to the press run for the hit show’s 10th and final season, with Brown opting out of doing press with his former co-stars.

While sitting hand in hand, Brown’s castmates Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Jonathan Van Ness, and Jeremiah Brent were notified on air by CBS Morning host Gayle that Brown had pulled out of the appearance just an hour before they were supposed to hit the show. “They call it the Fab 5, but one of the Fab 5 is not here,” King said.

She continued saying, “We received word less than an hour ago that Karamo Brown is not going to be joining us today. I want to rip the band-aid off and get it out of the way. So we can really talk about the show.”

As the remaining members of the Fab 5 looked ahead towards King, she read a statement from Brown. “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.”

Following the statement, King added that Brown’s assistant informed her he was worried about “being bullied” by his fellow cast-mates. “I was very sorry to hear this. What do any of you have to say? We’re surprised as you are.” King said.

“Surprised is a fair understatement,” said Brown’s co-star Antoni Porowski, “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. 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 we have and really honor the legacy of this past decade of our lives and all these wonderful heroes that we’ve had the blessing of getting to meet and have conversations with.”

Next, co-star Jeremiah Brent, who joined the show’s cast during Season 9, chimed in, saying. “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.”

In addition to skipping out on an appearance with his co-stars for CBS Mornings, Brown was also a no show on Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, leaving Porowski, France, and Van Ness with another statement, which he was read aloud by host Sheinelle Jones.

In the statement, Brown cites advice from his therapist “to protect himself and his peace by not attending” the show with his co-stars. Brown also stated he “has felt mentally and emotionally abused for years,” without giving but did not give specific examples.

Next a video message by Brown appeared on screen. In his video message, which was also cross-posted to Jenna & Sheinelle and The Today Show’s official Instagram accounts, Brown said, “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. That’s why I’m here at home and not there.”

Despite the growing friction with his co-stars, he encouraged audiences to continue to support the show’s 10th season. “The crew worked on it and did an amazing job. I want to shout out to the crew. I want to shout out to the fans. I want to shout out to the executives at Netflix.”: said Brown

Van Ness responded by applauding Brown’s decision to not appear on the show with his co-stars. “It is so difficult — I think both of you can identify — when you’re on a show, and you’re just relentlessly working, it is so difficult to center what you need and how to take care of yourself. And he’s been teaching people how to take care of themselves on Queer Eye for almost 10 years. And I’m actually so proud of him for centering what he needs to do and taking care of himself. It’s not easy, and that’s not an easy statement to make, and I’m really proud of him for doing that. Obviously, we wish that he was here, but I am really proud of him for doing what he needs to do for what’s best for himself.”

Chile the plot is thickening because the beef has now hopped from set, to interviews to social media, with Brown unfollowing co-stars Antoni Porowski, Tan France, and Jonathan Van Ness on Instagram.

This, unfortunately, isn’t the first time the cast of Queer Eye has been embroiled in infighting and scandal. In Season 8, the show’s longtime interior design expert Bobby Berk left the show and was replaced by Brent. While Berk insisted he left the show due to reaching the end of his contract with Netflix, eagle-eyed fans noticed that Berk and co-star Tan France had unfollowed each other on Instagram, igniting rumors of bad blood.

In January 2024, Berk told Vanity Fair he believed the show was coming to an end, so he and his fellow Fab 5 members began to plan for different opportunities outside of the show. “We thought we were done. “Mentally and emotionally, I thought we all moved on. I know I did, and I started planning other things.”

Berk said he believed he and his fellow Fab 5 members were on the same page about the show potentially ending, only to learn they had all changed their minds. With Berk being the only cast member opting not come back, he was eventually replaced. “All the plans that I had made when I thought we weren’t coming back, I just wasn’t willing to change those,” he said. “I would have had to pump the brakes on multiple other projects that are already in process.”

While Brown saw worldwide success alongside his Queer Eye co-stars, he has most definitely shined on his own. He first came into the public eye during his stint on MTV’s The Real World: Philadelphia in 2004. His appearance on the show marked one of the first times an openly black man appeared on a reality tv show, notably becoming one of the first openly gay Black men on reality TV.

Since then, Brown has appeared as a host/producer on various networks, including OWNShow for Oprah Winfrey Network, HuffPost Live, Access Hollywood Live, Dr. Drew On Call, and MTV’s Are You the One: Second Chances. Following his success on Queer Eye, Brown launched his own syndicated daytime talk show, Karamo, which serves as a replacement for the Maury show.