Antoni Porowski clapped back at a viewer who claimed backstage tension ruined Netflix’s Queer Eye, one day after Karamo Brown skipped two national interviews and said he’d been “mentally and emotionally abused for years.”
**At a Glance
- Porowski replied to an Instagram critic claiming the cast’s off-camera drama made the show feel fake
- Brown’s absence from CBS Mornings and NBC’s Today came after his team said a therapist advised him to “protect himself and his peace”
- The final season dropped on January 21, set in Washington, D.C.
- Why it matters: The exchange spotlights growing public scrutiny of the Fab Five’s real-life dynamic as the decade-long series ends
Porowski, 41, posted a carousel of behind-the-scenes shots on premiere day, captioned: “It’s not about how or even that it ended – the journey of it all was the part I’ll hold close to my heart.” A follower commented that knowing about off-camera conflict “kills the vibe,” adding, “If you can’t work out your own mess, how can you be in charge of fixing someone else’s life?”
The food expert replied: “A lot of us come from complicated families and still have jobs and positive things we’re passionate about. Authenticity is about being honest about the complexities of life and knowing two things can exist at the same time ❤️.”
Brown’s Absence
On January 20, the remaining four castmates-Porowski, Tan France, Jonathan Van Ness, and newcomer Jeremiah Brent-sat for back-to-back morning shows without Brown. Gayle King told CBS Mornings viewers that producers learned one hour before airtime that Brown would not appear. NBC’s Today with Jenna & Sheinelle confirmed the same pattern hours later.
Brown’s assistant provided a brief statement: “Karamo has felt mentally and emotionally abused for years. His therapist has advised him to protect himself and his peace by not attending.” The message did not name any individual cast member.
In a video posted to his own Instagram, Brown praised the crew and fans but offered no thanks to his co-stars: “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.”
Live Reaction on NBC
When asked about Brown’s absence on Today, Porowski said, “We fully support, I think as a collective unit, him taking care of himself… we’re here to honor the legacy of a decade.”
France, 42, emphasized the show’s focus on heroes, not the hosts: “I’m so proud of all the work everyone has done, including Karamo.”
Van Ness, 38, added, “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.”
Social Media Signals
Hours after the final season launched, Brown unfollowed Porowski, France, and Van Ness on Instagram, keeping only Brent in his follow list. Brent, who replaced Bobby Berk in season 9, posted his own reflection: “The real beauty of Queer Eye was never contained in one person… It lived in the space between us.”
France’s farewell post read: “Happy Final day of this Queer Eye journey… I will love and miss you!” Van Ness wrote, “I stand in so much gratitude… I am so excited to see what’s next.”
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan 20 | Brown skips CBS and NBC interviews; statement cites “mental and emotional abuse” |
| Jan 21 | Final season drops on Netflix; cast posts tributes; Porowski replies to critical fan |
| Post-premiere | Brown unfollows three co-stars; News Of Los Angeles requests comment from all parties |
Sources told News Of Los Angeles that reps for Brown and the remaining cast have not yet responded to requests for additional comment.
Key Takeaways
- Porowski defended the cast’s authenticity after a viewer called the show “fake”
- Brown’s therapist-advised absence underscores long-standing off-camera tension
- The Fab Five celebrated the finale separately on social media, signaling fractured relationships as the series concludes after ten seasons
