Queer Eye star Karamo Brown unexpectedly pulled out of multiple live morning show interviews on Tuesday, Jan. 20, just an hour before he was due to appear alongside his castmates — citing long-standing mental and emotional distress as the reason for his absence.
Brown was scheduled to join his fellow Queer Eye stars on CBS Mornings and Today with Jenna & Sheinelle to promote the hit Netflix series. However, in a series of statements released shortly before airtime, he announced that he would not be participating, explaining that he had been feeling “mentally and emotionally abused for years.”
“I’ve reached a point where I need to protect my peace and prioritize my mental health,” Brown reportedly said in one of his messages, adding that continuing with the interviews would have been “emotionally unsafe” for him.

The abrupt decision appeared to catch both fans and his costars off guard. During the live broadcasts, the remaining members of the Queer Eye cast addressed Brown’s absence, expressing concern, support, and surprise at the timing of his withdrawal.
While they avoided speculating about the specifics of Brown’s claims, his costars emphasized that they respected his decision and hoped he would take whatever time he needed to focus on his well-being.

Social media quickly filled with mixed reactions, with many fans praising Brown for speaking openly about mental health and setting boundaries, while others questioned the last-minute nature of his decision and its impact on the group’s promotional commitments.
Brown has not yet provided further details about the alleged abuse or clarified whether it is connected to his work environment or personal life. For now, he says his priority is healing and stepping back from public obligations until he feels emotionally stable again.
His representatives have not indicated when — or if — he plans to resume press appearances related to Queer Eye.