Bobby Berk Bids Farewell to 'Queer Eye' After Season 8: A Life-Changing Journey
Bobby Berk bids farewell to 'Queer Eye' after six transformative years as the show's design expert, expressing gratitude for the life-changing experience His departure marks a significant shift for the Netflix hit series
Bobby Berk. Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images
Bobby Berk, a member of the Fab Five from Queer Eye, has announced his departure from the Netflix show after six years. On November 13, the 42-year-old revealed the news to his Instagram followers through a heartfelt statement. In his message, Berk expressed the difficulty of his decision but emphasized that although his time with Queer Eye has come to an end, he plans to continue sharing more of his journey with his dedicated fans.
He expressed, "I have immense love for all of you and I will rendezvous with each one of you in Nola for our last season. #foreverthefab5."
Berk directed his statement towards "the Queer Eye Community, who I now consider my family," and stated, "The overwhelming love I have received from all of you during the past 6 years has been truly extraordinary. You have shown unwavering support and as a team, we were able to spread the transformative impact of design. Through your kindness, love, and acceptance, I have witnessed a significant positive change in my life."
He expressed deep gratitude for the unwavering support and acceptance he has received from the fans of Queer Eye. Their continuous sharing of how the show has influenced their lives has left a lasting impact on him. He acknowledged the bravery of each individual who openly shared their experiences and assured them that their support will forever be cherished.
Courtesy of Bobby Berk/Instagram
Berk expressed gratitude towards the show's extraordinary contestants, whom he referred to as heroes, for opening their homes and hearts to him throughout the series. He acknowledged that it is because of them that he has continued on this journey for so many years, and he also admitted that each contestant has had a positive impact on him personally. Berk expressed immense pride in all of them and stated that he never took for granted the opportunity to assist them in discovering their true selves. Berk, along with Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, and Jonathan Van Ness, was an original member of the Fab Five when the revamped version of Queer Eye premiered in 2018. As he announced his departure, many of his fellow cast members shared heartfelt messages with him.
"Absolutely! #ForeverTheFab5, always remember that," Porowski, aged 39, enthusiastically commented on Monday.
Brown, aged 43, chimed in, "@bobby, we are undeniably #ForeverTheFab5, no matter the circumstances. I'm even prepared to show up at Netflix's doorstep and flood their inbox, insisting that you can't leave! Who's with me? Lots of love!"
Berk swiftly completed impressive renovations for the heroes' transformations, defying skeptics who believed it couldn't be done within four days. He revealed to Fast Company in 2020 that all the clean-out work visible in the show is indeed done from Tuesday to Friday. Prior to filming, Berk shared that he typically starts the planning process a few weeks in advance. Although there have been episodes with limited planning, his team usually visits the hero's home beforehand to assess the space and take basic measurements.
Berk and his team transform a warehouse into a spacious store. "We pre-purchase an abundance of art, accessories, candles, pillows, and bedding... This ensures that on the day of filming, we don't have to rush around the city, visiting numerous stores," he explained. Netflix will premiere Berk's last episodes of Queer Eye in January 2024.
