Before Netflix’s Queer Eye reboot, one of the stars, Karamo Brown, had already made reality TV history before joining the legendary Fab Five. At the age of 38, Brown continues to break down barriers and inspire others.
Queer Eye is Netflix’s reboot of Bravo’s , a show where the “Fab Five,” five gay men, upgrade people’s lifestyle - from their hair to their clothes to their living space. The new Fab Five include Brown, Bobby Berk, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, and Jonathan Van Ness. Brown handles the cultural and personal aspects of the “heroes’” transformation. He’s usually the one on the show that helps the subject get out of their comfort zone, confront past trauma, and work through their current personal issues. This seems like the perfect role for Brown, who has experienced and survived a lot throughout his life and career.
The original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy series aired from 2003 to 2007. During that same time, Brown was making reality TV history. In 2004, he starred on The Real World: Philadelphia, becoming the first out gay black man on reality TV. According to Refinery29, his presence on the show sparked an important national conversation and helped dispel a lot of stereotypes surrounding gay and black men at the time. Brown later went on to compete on The Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Inferno II, where he was eliminated early on in the show, and appeared on TV One’s The Next 15 in 2016, which followed Brown and five other reality stars.
Brown’s successful reality TV career helped him become a TV personality, appearing as a host on Access Hollywood Live, Huff Post Live, MTV’s Are You The One: Second Chances, and as a contributing host on HLN’s Dr. Drew on Call and YouTube’s The Young Turks. This professional TV experience, coupled with his own personal experiences, made him the perfect candidate as a member of the Fab Five, offering his wisdom to people in need. In addition to appearing on Queer Eye, Brown has written a book, Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope, and earlier this year launched a new podcast, Karamo, featuring frank and honest conversations with special guests. He also takes care of his two sons, Jason and Chris, along with his partner and fiancé Ian Jordan.
Brown continues to make reality TV history on Queer Eye. He’s usually the one involved in all the tear-jerk moments, helping people come out of their shells, confront their insecurities, and embrace their lives. More than a decade since appearing on The Real World, and he continues to break down barriers and help others do the same.
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Source: Refinery29, Karamo Brown
