Karamo Brown, 45, described a “fun and flirty” relationship during Queer Eye’s casting phase—while also alleging bullying and poor behavior on set, including a divide that emerged in the first weeks after a sexual harassment complaint was filed. Nearly six mon
Karamo Brown remembers the mood on the Queer Eye set as a place where warmth could exist right alongside something harsher. In a new interview. the 45-year-old opened up about filming the Netflix series. describing an environment filled with alleged bullying and poor behavior—then pointing to how quickly cracks formed among the Fab Five.
Brown told People in an interview published Tuesday. June 2 that cast members would dismiss troubling conduct as if it were inevitable. “Everyone would just say. ‘Well. that’s just that person. ’ instead of saying. ‘This behavior does not fly in a professional environment. ’” Brown claimed. “It impacted me negatively, consistently.”.
The tension, Brown said, wasn’t limited to day-to-day interactions. He alleged that the original cast became divided after a sexual harassment complaint was filed against him in the first few weeks of filming. Brown later said he learned an anonymous third party was responsible. He also said he was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Despite the allegations and the fallout he described. Brown said he still had a close connection with at least one costar during the casting phase. In his latest interview. Brown claimed that he and one of the Fab Five members—whom he declined to name publicly—had a “fun and flirty” relationship during the show’s casting phase. Brown said that he initially accused his costar of filing the complaint. but that he later learned it was an anonymous third party.
“It broke us,” Brown shared. “We all knew the divide between us.”
Brown also recalled how stark the message felt from someone in a senior role. An unnamed senior leader, Brown said, told him bluntly, “You are not a star. I will get rid of you tomorrow.” He said, “I was depressed.”
As the show’s “culture and lifestyle expert,” Brown described the emotional weight of teaching people to be better while feeling trapped in his own circumstances. “It felt shameful because I was teaching people that they could be better, but in my own life, I was trapped,” he said.
Queer Eye’s final season has already aired, and Brown pulled back from the spotlight earlier this year. He surprised fans in January when he pulled out of all press appearances for the 10th and final season of the Netflix show.
In response to Brown’s latest comments, Us Weekly reached out to Netflix for comment. In a statement to People. Queer Eye’s production company ITV America and Scout Productions said. “We strongly disagree with any characterization that concerns raised during the production of Queer Eye were ignored. dismissed or allowed to continue unchecked. Throughout the series’ run, any issues brought to production leadership were taken seriously and addressed appropriately.”.
The statement continued. “Production consistently fostered a respectful and professional environment for the cast and crew — which included ongoing training. coaching and other support for the cast — maintaining clear workplace policies and practices throughout filming. We remain incredibly proud of Queer Eye’s lasting impact and the community the series helped build over more than 20 years.”.
Brown had also explained his January absence from press with a separate statement at the time. “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. ” he said.
Nearly six months later, Brown said his headspace is dramatically different. “I did a complete 180 in my life,” he told People. “This new chapter feels safe and it feels triumphant because it has been a year-and-a-half of real work on myself.”
Karamo Brown Queer Eye Fab Five Netflix People interview bullying allegations sexual harassment complaint ITV America Scout Productions Jonathan Van Ness Tan France Antoni Porowski Bobby Berk Jeremiah Brent