Behind the Scenes of 'Queer Eye': Cast Feuds, Onset Allegations, and More

Whats Going on With the Cast of Queer Eye Breaking Down the Stars Recent Drama

Jonathan Van Ness, Bobby Berk, Anthoni Porowski, Tan France and Karamo Brown Rob Kim/Getty Images

The show Queer Eye on Netflix continues to thrive, but there seems to be some tension brewing among the cast and crew.

Rumors of conflicts among cast members and accusations of misconduct started to surface following interior designer Bobby Berk's announcement that he would be leaving after season 8.

"It was a tough decision to make, but it was a decision that needed to be made," he shared on Instagram in November 2023. "Even though my time on Queer Eye has come to an end, my connection with all of you is far from over. Stay tuned for more from me in the near future." (The eighth season of the show premiered in January 2024.)

After the announcement, a source revealed exclusively to We that Berk's departure from the show was due to conflicts he had with his co-stars Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, and Jonathan Van Ness.

The insider revealed that scheduling was a major challenge and Bobby lost interest in filming the show. The network and cast felt it was time to introduce new faces as Bobby's heart was no longer in it, causing resentment among the rest of the cast.

Fans started speculating that Berk's issue was with France when he unfollowed his co-star on social media right after announcing his departure from Queer Eye.

Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about the Queer Eye cast’s drama:

Whats Going on With the Cast of Queer Eye Breaking Down the Stars Recent Drama

Bobby Berk and Tan France Getty Images

How Did Bobby Berk and Tan France’s Feud Begin?

During a January 2024 interview with Vanity Fair, Berk revealed that he and France had a disagreement. He mentioned, "Tan and I had a moment." Berk explained that the issue was personal and had been brewing, but it was not romantic in nature.

He admitted to regretting unfollowing France on social media, saying, "Maybe I should have just muted him." Berk shared that he was angry that day, but emphasized that their relationship was like siblings, who are bound to have disagreements.

In a March 2024 Instagram video, France revealed more details about the root of their drama. He explained that it all started with a comment on a gossip blog that was repeatedly reposted, eventually becoming accepted as the truth. France emphasized that this version of events was not accurate and clarified that he would not delve further into the matter. If people choose not to believe him, he is at peace with that decision.

The Jeremiah Brent of It All

An exposé published by Rolling Stone in March 2024 revealed that tensions between Berk and France escalated when France supposedly lobbied to have his friend, Jeremiah Brent, take over Berk's position. Just a week before the exposé was released, Netflix confirmed that Brent would be replacing Berk for the ninth season of the show.

In a March 2024 Instagram video, France denied allegations that he played a direct role in Berk's departure from Queer Eye. France claimed that Berk was actually fired from the show.

My former colleague being fired had no connection to my efforts to help my friend get hired. According to France, Netflix and the production companies conducted a thorough casting process. "I didn't recommend my friend for the job. They earned it because they were the most qualified. I am thrilled that they got the job. I believe they will do an amazing job on the show. However, I didn't secure their position by displacing someone else."

Whats Going on With the Cast of Queer Eye Breaking Down the Stars Recent Drama

Jonathan Van Ness Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Recharge

The Allegations Against Jonathan Van Ness

In the Rolling Stone exposé mentioned earlier, crew members likened Berk's relationship with his costars to that of a "boy band." Just like many boy bands, they eventually drifted apart.

One production member shared, "They were essentially a group of individuals in their thirties put together and expected to be best friends. But people don't anticipate that Queer Eye could be like that." It was essentially a manufactured boy band with strong personalities, where some were favored and some were not. This dynamic eventually led to a toxic environment.

Part of the cast’s toxic behavior allegedly stemmed from accusations against Van Ness for having “rage issues” and being emotionally “abusive” towards others on set.

According to one production member who worked with the star, “Jonathan is a person with many sides. They can be very warm and charismatic, making you feel special when they pay attention to you. However, it was common for them to yell at someone at least once a day. It could be over something small, but there was always someone to blame and make the villain of the day.”

Another accusation was made against Van Ness, claiming that they refused to share the spotlight with their other Queer Eye costars. The accuser stated, "There were times when we couldn't even shoot scenes with certain members of the Fab Five together because it got so bad."

As of now, Van Ness has not publicly responded to the accusations, and Us has contacted them for a comment.

Have Other Fab Five Members Addressed the 'Queer Eye' Drama?

Brown and Porowski have not publicly commented on Berk and France's feud or the allegations against Van Ness. However, they did express their support for Berk when he revealed his decision to leave Queer Eye.

"We are #ForeverTheFab5 | no matter what. I’m about to be a Netflix’s door & e-mails telling them you can’t leave! Who is coming with me? I love you!” Brown commented on Berk’s ext announcement post, while Porowski added, “#foreverthefab5 indeed, and don’t forget it ❤️❤️❤️.”

Van Ness also showed some love by commenting three red heart emojis on the Instagram post.

Editor's P/S:

The article outlines the escalating tensions and allegations within the "Queer Eye" cast and crew. Bobby Berk's departure from the show ignited rumors of conflicts, including a feud between Berk and Tan France. The exposé in Rolling Stone further revealed accusations of Jonathan Van Ness's alleged "rage issues" and emotional abuse on set. While some cast members expressed support for Berk after his announcement, others have remained silent on the ongoing drama.

The article highlights the challenges of maintaining strong relationships within a manufactured boy band dynamic. It suggests that the intense pressure to portray a cohesive group can lead to resentment and toxicity. The accusations against Van Ness, if true, further underscore the need for accountability and respect in the workplace. It remains to be seen how these allegations will impact the future of "Queer Eye" and the relationships among the cast. all involved must be prioritized. Fans, who have invested their time and emotions in "Queer Eye," deserve to see a show that upholds the values of inclusion, empathy, and mutual support that it has come to represent. The cast and crew have an opportunity to learn from these experiences, grow as individuals, and emerge stronger as a team. Only then can "Queer Eye" regain the trust and admiration it has earned over the years.