Karamo Brown Misses 'Queer Eye' TV Promotions, Citing Mental and Emotional Abuse

Karamo Brown, the mental health expert who has appeared in all 10 seasons of Netflix’s makeover show Queer Eye, did not join his cast mates for planned daytime television appearances on Tuesday, saying he needed to protect his mental health. On the Today show, co-host Sheinelle Jones read a message reportedly sent to the network by Mr.

Brown’s assistant: “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 program also aired a short video of Mr. Brown saying he was “modeling what I believe is most important” and urging viewers to “love yourselves and protect yourself.” Gayle King on CBS Mornings said the show learned less than an hour before taping that Mr.

Brown would not join the rest of the Fab Five. The other cast members — Jonathan Van Ness, Jeremiah Brent, Tan France and Antoni Porowski — sat together and held hands while Ms. King read a statement from Mr. Brown, who is the show’s only Black cast member; the assistant had also said he was worried about being bullied.

Mr. Porowski called being surprised “a fair understatement” and described the cast as a complicated family, while others offered support. Netflix declined to comment on Mr. Brown’s public statements. The departure follows an earlier cast change: Bobby Berk left after Season 8 and was replaced by Mr.

Key Topics

Culture, Karamo Brown, Queer Eye, Netflix, Fab Five, Washington Dc