Karamo Brown abruptly declined an interview with his “Queer Eye” castmates, fearing “bullying.”
The TV host was scheduled to appear on “CBS Morning” on Tuesday with co-stars Jonathan Van Ness, Tan France, Jeremiah Brent and Antoni Porowski.
However, Brown did not appear “less than an hour” after he was scheduled to take the stage.
Instead, co-host Gayle King read a letter written by Brown, explaining his shocking absence.
“I hope you all remember the key themes that I have been trying to teach them for the last 10 years,” King, 71, read aloud from Brown’s assistant.
“It’s about focusing on their mental health and peace and protecting it from people and the world that would try to destroy it. That’s why I can’t be there today.”
The award-winning journalist added that he received a statement from Brown’s assistant saying the reality star was “worried about being bullied.”
Brown’s castmates expressed shock at his absence.
“To say I was surprised is a huge understatement,” Porowski, 41, told Dr. King. “Our Queer Eye family, we’ve been doing this for almost 10 years. It’s hard to believe, but family is complicated, and we are by no means excluded from it.”
The Antoni in the Kitchen author added: “But I think it’s possible for two things to exist at the same time. And while that’s definitely true, we’re also here to introduce you to some of the great heroes that we have and to honor the legacy of the last 10 years of our lives.”
Van Ness, 38, expressed admiration for Brown.
“One of the things that I was so privileged to know about Karamo back then is that we have to meet people the same way,” the hairstylist said.
“He’s taught people to center what they need, and I’m actually really proud of him, to center what they need and do what they need to do to take care of themselves. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel that way sometimes,” Van Ness added.
“It’s really beautiful. Sometimes we need to center what’s best for us. And hats off to him for doing that today.”
Page Six reached out to Brown and his castmates for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
Last week, some eagle-eyed fans noticed that Brown, 45, unfollowed three of her “Queer Eye” costars ahead of the season 10 premiere: France, Porofsky and Van Ness.
Netizens debated whether there might be a feud brewing between the reality stars.
“There is a high possibility that Karamo blocked JVN, Tan, and Antoni. There is no trace of them on his IG. Unfollowing doesn’t remove old comments and likes, but blocking them does. All traces of the three have been erased from Karamo’s IG,” one person claimed.
“They also haven’t done any joint press to promote the new season[so far]which is very different from previous years, when they did a ton of interviews to sell people on the dynamic reality. This time, it’s giving them that energy of, ‘I wish this was over,'” he added.
“Looks like a mess,” said a third fan.
In 2023, Queer Eye star Bobby Berk announced he was leaving the Netflix series after six years, amid drama with France.
Burke, 44, was replaced by Brent, 41, an interior designer.
