Karamo Brown hasn’t “officially” quit Queer Eye, but he has stepped back from some major cast promo and made it very clear he feels deeply hurt by what’s been going on behind the scenes.

Quick Scoop

  • Karamo pulled out of multiple live Queer Eye press interviews at the last minute in January 2026, including a planned CBS Mornings appearance with the rest of the Fab Five.
  • Through his assistant, he said he has felt “mentally and emotionally abused for years” and was worried about being “bullied” if he showed up with the group.
  • He has not named who he feels the abuse came from, but fans noticed he unfollowed all but one of his Queer Eye costars on social media shortly before this drama.

Is Karamo Leaving Queer Eye?

  • The show is already heading into its tenth and final season, so there isn’t a long-term “future” on Queer Eye to leave, but his absence from key press has sparked talk that he is done with the group dynamic.
  • In messages read on air, he still called the new season “incredible” and thanked the crew, Netflix, and fans, suggesting he’s separating his love for the show from his issues with certain people around it.

What Karamo Says About Why He Stepped Back

  • In statements relayed by hosts like Gayle King, Karamo emphasized protecting his mental health and “peace,” saying that’s why he “cannot be there today.”
  • His assistant said his therapist advised him not to attend because of the emotional toll and his fear of being bullied, which frames this less as a PR stunt and more as a boundary around his well‑being.

Cast + Fan Reactions

  • His remaining costars reacted live on air, describing themselves as “surprised” but saying they support him prioritizing his mental health, even as their body language and tone have fueled speculation about deeper tension.
  • Online forum threads and Reddit discussions have been dissecting unfollows, old interviews, and perceived rifts, with some users siding with Karamo and others suggesting there has been friction in the Fab Five for a while.

Bigger Context and Rumored Tension

  • Prior to this, designer Bobby Berk left the show after season 8 and later acknowledged there had been behind‑the‑scenes drama and a “moment” between him and Tan France (not romantic, but still serious), which made fans more willing to believe something was brewing among the cast.
  • The timing of Karamo’s step back—final season, visible unfollows, and public references to “years” of abuse—has turned it into a trending topic and fueled speculation that the Queer Eye brand image has been smoother than the real relationships.

TL;DR: When people ask “why did Karamo leave Queer Eye,” the most accurate public answer so far is that he pulled out of group press and distanced himself because he says he’s felt mentally and emotionally abused for years and wants to protect his mental health, but he hasn’t given names or a full blow‑by‑blow story yet.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.