One of the stars of Netflix’s “Queer Eye” revival is opening up about the secret addiction battle he was fighting amid the show’s production.
In a new PEOPLE cover story, star Karamo Brown revealed he relapsed using drugs and alcohol while filming the popular show’s third season back in 2018. He said he was depressed at the time, while also dealing with a toxic work environment.
His comments come after Brown decided against doing press with the rest of the “Queer Eye” cast for the show’s recent 10th and final season. At the time, he released a statement saying, “I hope everyone remembers the main theme I have tried to teach them over the past decade, which is to focus on and to protect their mental health/peace from people or a world who seek to destroy it; which is why I can’t be there today.”
Karamo Opens Up About Addiction Battle
Speaking with PEOPLE, Brown said tensions between him and his co-stars contributed to his relapse after 12 years of sobriety. He, however, also admitted “there were times I was hurt and would lash back out…I was not an angel.”
“I struggled with not facing my demons and the things I was going through on ‘Queer Eye,'” he told the outlet. “It was: ‘I’m stressed from work, meet me at a bar for a drink.’ A drink would lead to weed, cocaine, pills. I wasn’t coping right, but I pretended like I was. I was so broken.”
“After a couple of beers, I could smoke weed with you all night and not be able to function,” he continued. “I might take a pill with you and be rolling and thinking that was euphoria when it was not. I might do cocaine to keep the party going and make me feel connected when it did not. I try to teach people now that it’s not the substance you’re struggling with, it’s the feelings underneath that you haven’t focused on.”
He said he decided to turn his life around—again—about a year-and-a-half ago, after someone at his home had a bad reaction to a substance.
“Since that day, I’ve not had a single drink, cocktail — nothing,” added Brown. “I want to encourage people that there’s a side to not having to drink that is so fun.”
Brown said he now regularly attends meetings and is in a 12-step program.
Production Responds to Karamo’s Claims
In his broader interview, Karamo made claims of tension among his co-stars and accused production of overlooking bullying and bad behavior.
Production companies ITV America and Scout Productions, however, denied the allegations.
“We strongly disagree with any characterization that concerns raised during the production of ‘Queer Eye’ were ignored, dismissed or allowed to continue unchecked,” they said in a statement. “Throughout the series’ run, any issues brought to production leadership were taken seriously and addressed appropriately. Production consistently fostered a respectful and professional environment for the cast and crew — which included ongoing training, coaching and other support for the cast — maintaining clear workplace policies and practices throughout filming.”
“We remain incredibly proud of ‘Queer Eye’s’ lasting impact and the community the series helped build over more than 20 years,” the statement concluded.
“Queer Eye” debuted in 2018 on Netflix, making superstars out of the show’s cast. While the series began with Brown, Jonathan Van Ness, Tan France, Bobby Berk, and Antoni Porowski, Berk left the show and was replaced by Jeremiah Brent.
The 10th and final season debuted in January 2026.
