At a Glance
- Karamo Brown has unfollowed three of his Queer Eye co-stars, keeping only Jeremiah Brent.
- He canceled appearances on CBS Mornings and Today with Jenna & Sheinelle just hours before the shows.
- Brown cited long-standing mental and emotional abuse, saying he was advised by a therapist to protect himself.
- The cast reacted with surprise and support, praising Brown’s focus on self-care.
Introduction
On Jan. 20, former Queer Eye star Karamo Brown shocked the television world by unfollowing three of his co-stars on social media and pulling out of multiple morning-show appearances. Brown said he had endured years of mental and emotional abuse, prompting him to step back from the spotlight and focus on his well-being.
Unfollowing Moves
Brown, 45, removed followers for Antoni Porowski, Tan France and Jonathan Van Ness. He left Jeremiah Brent on the list, the only cast member who joined in season 9 after Bobby Berk departed.
- Antoni Porowski – 41
- Tan France – 42
- Jonathan Van Ness – 38
- Jeremiah Brent – 41 (remains followed)
The decision came hours after Brown was scheduled to promote the 10th and final season of Netflix’s Queer Eye on several shows.
Last-Minute Skips
Brown canceled his interview on CBS Mornings an hour before the show began. A statement read:
> “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,” said the statement.
He also sent a note to Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, claiming he had “felt mentally and emotionally abused for years” and that a therapist had advised him to stay home. Brown’s assistant added that the actor had been “mentally and emotionally abused for years”.
Video Message
In a video posted to his own channel, Brown encouraged fans to tune in for the concluding season:
> “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.”
He also thanked the crew, fans and Netflix executives, but did not thank his costars.
Cast Reactions
When asked on air, the cast expressed a mix of surprise and support.
- Antoni Porowski said:
> “Surprised is a fair understatement. 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.”
- Jeremiah Brent added:
> “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.”
- Tan France noted:
> “The reality series was never about us. I am so proud of all the work everyone on the show has done, including Karamo.”
- Jonathan Van Ness praised Brown’s self-care:
> “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. I’m actually so proud of him for centering what he needs to do and taking care of himself.”
What This Means
The move highlights a growing conversation about mental health in the entertainment industry. Brown’s public statements bring attention to the pressures faced by long-running reality-TV personalities. While the cast expressed understanding, the incident underscores how even close colleagues can experience personal struggles that go unreported.
Key Takeaways
- Karamo Brown has taken a stand for his mental health by unfollowing several co-stars and skipping promotional events.
- The cast responded with surprise but largely offered support and praise for Brown’s decision.
- Brown’s comments bring mental-health concerns to the forefront of reality-TV culture.
End of Report
