Karamo Brown, the mental health expert from Netflix's Queer Eye, has spoken out about tensions with his co-stars and a relapse during the show's third season. The 44-year-old pulled out of press appearances for the final season in January, citing a need to protect his mental health.
In a statement at the time, Brown wrote: “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... who seek to destroy it.” His assistant also claimed Brown “has felt mentally and emotionally abused for years.”
Speaking to People, Brown alleged a toxic dynamic with select cast members, worsened by bullying and unchecked behaviour from executives and production. “Everyone would just say, ‘Well, that’s just that person,’ instead of saying, ‘This behaviour does not fly in a professional environment,’” he said. He claimed the situation escalated when his mother overheard co-stars speaking negatively about him during a 2025 set visit. “The thing I know is the tears I saw in my mother’s eyes,” he said. “[She kept repeating], ‘I thought they were your friends.’”
Production companies ITV America and Scout Productions denied the allegations, stating: “We strongly disagree with any characterization that concerns raised during the production of Queer Eye were ignored, dismissed or allowed to continue unchecked.” They added that they “consistently fostered a respectful and professional environment.”
Brown also revealed he relapsed during season three in 2018 after 12 years of sobriety. “A drink would lead to weed, cocaine, pills,” he said. “I wasn’t coping right, but I pretended like I was. I was so broken.” He said he felt “depressed” and “trapped,” despite being a source of positivity on the show. Brown did not name specific co-stars but praised Jonathan Van Ness, saying: “The work I have seen Jonathan pouring into himself is commendable and inspiring.”
