Queer Eye Snitch Reveals Exactly What Was Said About Karamo Brown in a Hot Mic Moment... That's Torn the Cast Apart

A Queer Eye insider reveals what was said about Karamo Brown in hot mic moment, claims Porowski, France and Van Ness made comments about how Brown 'looked and dressed, but then it turned into complaining about what he tells the subjects on the show.'

via: Daily Mail

A feud has been brewing on the show Queer Eye, Netflix's resident feel-good series predicated on self-love and empowerment, but drama among its 'Fab Five' cast has suggested the show's positive message may have all been a facade.

This week, Karamo Brown – who has been a cast member on Queer Eye since Netflix rebooted the 2003 Bravo series in 2018 – lifted the lid on behind the scenes tensions when he refused to join his co-stars for a series of promotional appearances on Tuesday.

Brown, 45, claimed he was being 'mentally and emotionally abused' for years and skipped out on his planned TV appearances in an effort to protect his 'peace' from people who 'seek to destroy it.'

His absence seemed to come as a surprise to the rest of the Fab Five – Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Jeremiah Brent and Jonathan Van Ness – as they put on a united front and explained their Fab Five dynamic was 'complicated'.

But it would seem their dynamic is more than complicated, after a TMZ report revealed that a 'hot mic moment' overhead on-set by none other than Brown's mother was what had sparked their fallout.

Now, an inside source can exclusively share with the Daily Mail the 'petty' details behind the bombshell conversation, and why the lifestyle expert isn't expecting an apology from the Fab Five any time soon.

'When it comes to what Karamo's mom heard, it was very petty,' the insider said.

While filming season 10 of Queer Eye in Washington, DC, last summer, Brown's mother Charmaine Brown reportedly visited the set and was given a pair of production headphones to observe filming.

Porowski, France and Van Ness were allegedly overheard speaking negatively about Brown after he had stepped away from the set, and Charmaine told her son what she had heard.

Their harsh words were said to have 'created an immediate rift' among the cast and Brown has remained on the outs with his three co-stars ever since.

The insider told the Daily Mail that Porowski, France and Van Ness made comments about how Brown 'looked and dressed, but then it turned into complaining about what he tells the subjects on the show.'

'Since he is the life coach, that's obviously not something that anyone wants to hear – that they aren't doing a good job. It's especially hard when it's coming from your so-called friends,' the source said.

As it turned out, Brown had 'concerns that his fellow cast members were talking behind his back,' so when his mother had 'heard them stirring up drama,' that was all but confirmed.

'It turned very sour, very fast once Karamo figured out what they really felt for him,' the source added.

This isn't the first time that rumors of a cast feud have circulated about Queer Eye.

Speculation of tensions between Brown and his co-stars first emerged when he appeared to unfollow all of his co-stars – apart from interior designer Brent, 41 – on Instagram.

In 2024, it was announced that interior design expert Bobby Berk was leaving the show and being replaced by Brent.

Berk, 44, then revealed there was an off-camera 'situation' between himself and fashion expert France, 42, sparking wild theories about the reason behind his exit.

After fans noticed that Berk had unfollowed France on social media, he confessed: '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.

'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.'

However, an explosive Rolling Stone article then reported that France and Porowski, 41, 'conspired' to get Berk kicked off the show and replaced by the British star's friend, Brent. France has strongly denied the allegations.

Sources alleged Berk was 'blindsided' by the way his departure played out, noting that he had also been butting heads with France and Van Ness on set.

While Berk claimed to have chosen to leave the show, France suggested this wasn't the case as he responded to claims he was involved in the decision.

Addressing the report on Instagram, France said that Berk's leaving the show 'had nothing to do with me trying to get my friend hired...

'Am I so happy that they have the job? Uh huh. I really am – I think they're gonna be incredible on the show. But I didn't get them hired by getting rid of somebody else.'

The reports of cast infighting coincided with claims that Van Ness, 38, had created an uncomfortable atmosphere on set because they were a 'monster' to work with.

Multiple production sources told Rolling Stone that the haircare expert, who is non-binary and uses he/him, she/her, and they/them pronouns, made the show 'increasingly difficult to produce' and accused Van Ness of being 'emotionally abusive' with 'rage issues'.

Van Ness responded to the claims on podcast Table Manners With Jessie And Lennie Ware, where they said that the accusations were not 'based in reality' and 'completely untrue'.

Following the rumors of on-set drama, Netflix announced in July that the show had been canceled and the upcoming tenth season would be its last.

The final 10-episode season premiered on January 21, 2025. 

Just one day before the premiere, Brown pulled out of a planned CBS Mornings appearance as anchor Gayle King read aloud a statement explaining his absence to the rest of his co-stars.

He apologized for skipping out on the interview and thanked the show's audience, while a separate statement from Brown's assistant said the lifestyle guru was 'worried about being bullied'.

Brown caused an even bigger stir when the group joined Today with Jenna & Sheinelle that same day, and he had sent in a video to the show with a new litany of accusations against his cast.

He said he 'has felt mentally and emotionally abused for years', but did not say by who.

Brown added in the video, 'Just like the themes of this season, I'm modeling what I believe is most important, which I want to remind you all, love yourselves and protect yourselves.

'That's why I'm here at home and not there. But continue to watch the show,' he said, before thanking the crew and Netflix executives, but notably, not his co-stars.

With the final season of Queer Eye now in the rear view, it appears that Brown is sticking to his promise of 'protecting his peace' by moving on from all the drama. 

As for whether he will receive an apology from his cast mates, that remains to be seen.

The insider said: 'Karamo doesn't need an apology and is not expecting one.

'He's happy to move on and remember his Queer Eye experience as mostly positive. The show was about helping others and he's confident he did that, whether or not his fellow cast members felt the same way. He's moved on.'

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Brown for comment.