At a Glance
- Bobby Berk publicly comments on the tension involving Karamo Brown ahead of Queer Eye‘s final season.
- Brown skipped multiple interviews, citing mental-health protection.
- Berk’s TikTok post featured Chappell Roan’s “My Kink is Karma” and a photo of him on a fence.
- Why it matters: The drama highlights how cast relationships influence a beloved show’s finale.
Bobby Berk’s latest social-media move has reignited a conversation about the dynamics among the Queer Eye team. The 44-year-old designer, who left the show in 2023, used a TikTok video to respond to fan comments and to address the absence of former co-star Karamo Brown from the final-season promotion.
Bobby Berk Responds to Cast Rift
Berk’s TikTok, posted on Jan. 22, began with a friendly question: “How’s everyone’s week going?” He then promoted his new HGTV show Junk or Jackpot? and added the song “My Kink is Karma” as background music. The clip also included a photo of him standing on a fence, a shot that appeared on his Instagram earlier.
A fan comment read: “I’m actually kind of mad they soured the ending of Queer Eye like they did.” Berk replied, “Same tbh which is why I rode off into the sunset in silence,” and added a heart emoji. His brief response was seen by thousands of followers, many of whom were already speculating about a feud between Berk and co-star Tan France.
Key Quotes
- Berk: “Same tbh which is why I rode off into the sunset in silence.”
- Fan: “I’m actually kind of mad they soured the ending of Queer Eye like they did.”
Karamo Brown’s Absence
On Jan. 20, Brown, 45, was absent from the cast’s interviews for the final season premiere. CBS Mornings anchor Gayle King reported that Brown pulled out an hour before airtime.
> “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,” the statement from Brown read.
Brown also skipped Today with Jenna & Sheinelle that same day. In a video message, he reiterated his decision, saying he had been “mentally and emotionally abused for years” and that, under his therapist’s advice, he needed to protect his peace.
Timeline of Brown’s Absences
| Date | Event | Brown’s Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 20 | CBS Mornings interview | Mental-health protection |
| Jan. 20 | Today with Jenna & Sheinelle | Mental-health protection |
Background on the Show and Departures
Berk was a mainstay of Queer Eye for its first eight seasons. In November 2023, a source told News Of Los Angeles that his departure was amicable. The same source noted that a falling out between Berk and Tan France surfaced in a January 2024 Vanity Fair interview.
> “There was a situation, and that’s between Tan and I, and it has nothing to do with the show. It was something personal that had been brewing – and nothing romantic, just to clarify that,” Berk told the publication.
>
> “Should I have unfollowed Tan? No. Maybe I should have just muted him. But that day, I was angry, and that’s the end of it. We became like siblings – and siblings are always going to fight.”
The comment clarified that the tension was personal and unrelated to the show’s production.
Cast Reactions
Antoni Porowski, 41, described the situation as a reminder that families, even fictional ones, can have complicated dynamics. He said: “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.”
Jeremiah Brent, 41, who took over Berk’s role in season nine, praised the group’s supportive nature: “My experience in this group has been transformative… I have felt safe and supported by the people up here.”
Berk’s Social Media Moves
After posting the TikTok, Berk deleted his account, citing backlash over new privacy terms. The deletion was seen as unrelated to the cast drama but added to the narrative of Berk stepping back from public platforms.
Key Takeaways
- Bobby Berk used a TikTok video to address fan speculation about a feud with Karamo Brown.
- Brown’s absences were driven by a focus on mental-health protection.
- The cast acknowledges the complexity of their relationships, with several members expressing support for one another.
- Berk’s departure from the show was amicable, and the personal rift with Tan France was clarified as unrelated to Queer Eye.
The situation underscores how personal well-being and interpersonal dynamics can shape the public perception of long-running reality shows.
