Why Queer Eye’s Karamo Pulled Out of Cast Interview

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The Fab Five’s Queer Eye promo isn’t off to a fabulous star. 

Karamo Brown unexpectedly left a live interview with his co-stars on CBS Mornings, doing so less than an hour before it was scheduled to begin on January 20th.

Gayle King announced that Karamo wouldn’t be joining the other hosts – Jonathan van Ness, Tan France, Jeremiah Brent, and Antoni Porowski – due to concerns about potential bullying.

Before the interview, Gayle shared a message reminding everyone of a core lesson she’s emphasized for the past ten years: prioritizing and safeguarding your mental well-being from negativity and harmful influences. She explained that this is the reason she couldn’t attend the interview today.

She added that, according to Karamo’s assistant, “he’s worried about being bullied.” 

Karamo wasn’t present before the interview, which surprised his fellow cast members. The interview was to discuss the tenth and final season of their Netflix show.

“I was more than surprised,” Antoni told Gayle. “It’s amazing to think that the Queer Eye team has been working together for almost ten years, and like all families, we have our complexities.”

He went on to say that it’s possible to acknowledge multiple truths at once. While it’s important to celebrate the amazing people we have and remember everything we’ve accomplished over the last ten years, we can also do other things too.

Jonathan was surprised by Karamo’s choice, but still shared their respect for him.

I’ve really admired learning that Karamo understands the importance of meeting people where they are in life. He’s empowered people to prioritize their own needs and focus on self-care, and I’m incredibly proud of that. It’s something I definitely relate to and strive for myself.

They said it was a really good move, explaining that sometimes you have to prioritize your own needs. They were particularly impressed with the person who made the decision, and commended them for it.

Karamo’s departure follows a cast change that happened two years ago when Bobby Berk, one of the original members, left the show after being on it for eight seasons.

After leaving, Bobby – who had a strained relationship with Tan – explained his departure. In a January 2024 interview with Vanity Fair, he said, “I want everyone to know that Tan and I will be okay.”

Bobby explained that he and Tan France had a private disagreement. He emphasized that it was a personal matter between them, unrelated to their work on the show, and definitely not romantic.

The show Queer Eye brought in Jeremiah, a designer previously with HGTV, to replace their home design expert. He shared his experiences working with the rest of the team – Antoni, Karamo, Jonathan, and Tan – during the show’s last two seasons.

He shared on CBS Mornings that being part of the group was a life-changing experience. He was deeply impressed by how they navigate life, how they teach others, and everything he learned from them about life, friendship, and love. He felt completely safe and supported by the people involved, and truly cherished every moment.

For more stars who have been candid about taking care of their mental health, keep reading…

 

Rapper Radric Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, shared in his 2025 book, Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man, that he was diagnosed with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He explained that these diagnoses led to a mental health crisis in 2020.

He explained on The Breakfast Club that the experience made him realize he needed to prioritize his health and take responsibility for his well-being. He stated he never wants to go through something similar again and is committed to seeing a therapist, and will even consider medication if necessary.

Gucci Mane shared that, beyond wanting to help others, his children – Ice Davis and Iceland Davis, whom he shares with his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir – motivated him to get help when he was struggling.

He explained that his wife was expecting their son, and he worried about the impact raising a family would have on his mental health. He feared a severe mental health crisis he might not recover from, so he proactively began therapy and sought support.

The former star of Gossip Girl recently shared his struggles with body image, explaining that he experienced what he called “body dysmorphia” as a young actor.

In an April 2025 interview with The Guardian, Penn shared that they deeply disliked their body and wished they had a different one.

He explained that after his parents’ divorce, and struggling with depression and isolation, he started focusing on his appearance. He felt that being seen as more attractive could lead to greater success and make him feel more valuable.

Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.

He said that overcoming his disappointment and personal struggles enabled him to return to things with a renewed sense of self.

The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.

She described her struggles with food, saying on the The Funny Thing Is podcast, “Some people might label it an eating disorder, but it’s just how I lived my life. Food was always my addiction, and I did some really extreme things because of it.”

She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”

I’ve been following her journey, and it’s been so inspiring to see her be honest about the challenges she faces with her eating. But even more amazing is how openly she shares all the positive steps she’s taking towards getting healthier and fitter. It’s really motivating!

Okay, so back in 2017, I was telling Bon Appétit about how I totally transformed my life when I was 23. I cut out all sugar, stopped drinking, and dove headfirst into yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching. Honestly, it sounds dramatic now, but it was the best thing I ever did! I swear, it was better than any medication – it was like the ultimate natural boost, seriously!

She shared that she struggles with food and body image, which are genuine concerns for her. She’s working on improving her mental and physical health by focusing on a healthy diet and natural wellness practices.

The Full House alum reflected on her mental health journey and navigating her battle with depression.

She explained on her podcast, Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, that it’s incredibly hard to talk about these things, even with those closest to you. She admitted that she personally feels she should be able to handle it on her own, and admitting she needs to talk about it feels like a sign of weakness.

The Grammy-winning artist often talks about how she safeguards her well-being, like blocking negativity online, and offers guidance to others who are struggling.

When asked for mental health advice, she told Vogue that the most important thing is patience. She emphasized being kind to yourself and resisting the urge to rush things. She explained that giving things time allowed difficult feelings to pass.

As people adjusted to social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, the singer of “Firework” opened up about the significant stress these kinds of situations can cause.

She tweeted about struggling with the challenges of the pandemic, saying it’s hard to decide what’s more difficult – avoiding the virus itself or dealing with the resulting depression. Katy explained that she often finds peace in her car, describing it as her ‘safe space’ since there aren’t many other places to go.

The model partnered with designer Kenneth Cole to support The Mental Health Coalition and recently discussed her personal struggles with anxiety on Good Morning America.

She remembered that after her panic attacks started happening again, she was finally able to find the information she needed to understand them.

Kendall explained that she experiences both good and very anxious days, making her mood unpredictable. This is why she was drawn to the movement – she wants people to know they’re not alone in their struggles.

The actor known for playing Black Adam has publicly discussed his struggles with depression and the challenges men often face when trying to talk about their mental well-being.

I’ve definitely been through some really tough times, and it’s hit me hard that depression doesn’t care who you are. It took me a while to figure it out, but honestly, the biggest thing is just being able to talk about what you’re going through. I think a lot of us guys especially feel like we have to keep everything bottled up, but you really aren’t alone in this.

Prince Harry helped reduce the shame around getting mental health support when he discussed his own experiences with therapy in an interview with the Telegraph. He explained that talking about his struggles made him realize many others go through similar things, saying he discovered he was ‘part of quite a big club.’

The actress from Empire is a strong advocate for seeking professional help and has publicly discussed her experiences with depression. She’s shared that talking to a therapist is essential for her well-being, telling Variety, “That’s the only way I can get through it.”

Taraji P. Henson founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to fight the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community and to expand access to Black mental health professionals.

The Grammy-winning artist shared that her struggles with an eating disorder and performance anxiety prompted her to try a new therapy involving MDMA and psilocybin, a treatment for PTSD.

She told Rolling Stone in May 2025 that she was finally touring without feeling nervous. She described a strange, shared physical sensation with the audience – almost like a change in air pressure – that made her realize how much she thrives on a powerful, emotional connection with people through her music. She explained that this deep, physical response is something she loves and needs to truly feel connected to her work.

She explained that prioritizing her mental well-being and stopping birth control helped her develop a broader understanding of her gender identity.

I remember when I decided to come off the pill, it felt like a really powerful act of reclaiming myself. It sounds a little out there, but it was like I’d been living by a certain set of rules about what it meant to be a woman, and suddenly, I felt free from all that. It was like stepping off the map and realizing anything was possible – a really liberating experience, honestly.

Okay, so back in middle school, things were really tough. I was battling some seriously awful anxiety and depression, and honestly, if it hadn’t been for my family and my therapist, I don’t know where I’d be right now. They genuinely saved my life. I posted about it on Instagram a while back, and I just want everyone to know: please, please reach out if you’re struggling. Asking for help is the hardest part, but it’s the first step, and you deserve to get better. You matter so much more than you could ever realize.

Oh my gosh, you guys, I was reading all about it, and apparently, the incredible artist behind ‘What He Didn’t Do’ has been dealing with anxiety and OCD for years! She’s finally opening up about what it’s been like, and honestly, it’s so brave of her. I’m just completely captivated by her willingness to share her struggles. It’s amazing to finally get a glimpse into what she’s been going through all this time.

Carly shared on the August 2025 episode of Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast that her anxiety began during her divorce, which happened during the Covid pandemic. However, she also revealed she’s struggled with severe OCD since childhood.

Over the past decade, I became used to keeping things to myself and handling problems on my own. Eventually, a couple of years ago, I realized I needed to go back to therapy and start understanding what was going on. It wasn’t something that started recently; I’ve actually been dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder since I was a child, around six or seven years old.

The actress known for Frozen has openly discussed her mental health strategies for years, sharing them at public speaking events and on platforms like Instagram.

She encourages people to discover what works best for them, and, as she shared with Health magazine, this can involve things like medication, actively focusing on the positive by listing ten good things for every negative thought, and regular exercise.

The cookbook author is a mother of four and has openly discussed her experiences with postpartum depression, a condition many new mothers face but often feel unable to talk about.

She explained in a 2017 letter to Glamour that it became simpler to talk about her experience each time. Her hope was to show others that this could happen to anyone, and to help those going through it feel less ashamed and less isolated.

While publicizing her book, Mirror, Mirror, the model shared with The Edit magazine that she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teenager, describing a feeling of “something dark” within her during that period.

Cara explained to the publication, as reported by W magazine, that she used to depend on love and other people for her happiness. She realized she needed to learn to find joy within herself, and after a long journey, she’s now able to be happy on her own.

Ariana Grande encouraged fans to prioritize their mental health after responding to a joke on Twitter about her own therapy. She shared that therapy has been life-saving for her on multiple occasions.

She encouraged me not to be afraid to ask for help. She explained that I didn’t have to live with constant pain and that healing from trauma is possible. While she acknowledged she had a long journey ahead, she felt that simply recognizing this possibility was a good first step.

The singer has publicly shared her experiences with addiction, recovery, and mental health, and often incorporates these personal struggles into her songs.

She often encourages her followers to prioritize their mental well-being, emphasizing that it’s a continuous effort with inevitable setbacks. She previously shared on Instagram, “Just a reminder for anyone who’s struggling: life has its highs and lows, but it’s important to keep going.”

The actress has bravely explored mental health both on screen, like in her role as Rue on the show Euphoria, and in her personal life.

Zendaya revealed in 2013, through her old app, that she experienced anxiety following a challenging appearance on Ellen, where her microphone malfunctioned. She’s since found healthy ways to cope with those feelings, explaining that it’s sometimes necessary to take a break to reduce stress.

In a recent interview with WSJ Magazine, the singer openly shared her experiences with mental health, explaining that she experienced extreme emotional swings – periods of great energy followed by weeks of debilitating lows.

She revealed she’s been dealing with mental health challenges, but finding the right medication has made a huge difference in her life.

The Grammy-winning artist dedicated herself to promoting kindness and openly discussing mental health, sharing her own experiences as well.

She shared that she’d kept her struggles with mental health private for a long time, both when in the public eye and when she wasn’t. Speaking at the 2018 Global Changemakers Award, she explained that she believes keeping things secret only makes things worse.

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2026-01-20 18:50