Karamo Brown’s Political Views Inspired A Severe Backlash From Queer Eye Fans

Throughout Netflix’s history, the streaming service giant has hired A-list actors to headline films and produced TV shows featuring many celebrities. Despite how much those stars must have been paid, many users care much more about Netflix’s reality shows. While there is some debate about which Netflix reality shows are the best, Queer Eye has been celebrated since the revival of the influential original series premiered.

As every Queer Eye fan knows, the show’s stars have become so famous that Jonathan Van Ness can charge a fortune for a haircut. However, that doesn’t mean that Queer Eye’s fans have always been happy with the show’s cast. For example, Karamo Brown once suffered a backlash from some fans for one of his political opinions.

Karamo Brown Praising Donald Trump’s Press Secretary Caused A Huge Backlash

As anyone who follows politics will likely already know, it almost always feels like things are more divisive today than ever before. That said, there is no denying that anything to do with Donald Trump has been incredibly divisive since he launched his political career.

Even in a world in which it seems like a lot of people who follow politics hate each other, however, there are some figures who want to bridge the gap. After Queer Eye made Karamo Brown a huge star, he was outspoken in his belief that people need to bridge the political divide.

During episodes of Queer Eye, Karamo has been shown trying to empathize with people from across the political spectrum. While that has been controversial at times, Karamo has largely been praised for trying to relate to people on Queer Eye. However, Karamo praising someone closely associated with Donald Trump caused a huge backlash.

During Season 28 of Dancing with the Stars, Karamo Brown competed alongside Sean Spicer. For anyone who doesn’t know, Sean was the first White House Press Secretary to serve in Donald Trump’s White House during his first tenure.

After being cast in the same season as Sean, Karamo addressed competing with the former press secretary. While talking to Access Hollywood during a red carpet interview, as can be seen in a YouTube video, Karamo praised Sean and spoke about enjoying getting to know him.

“Let me tell you something. Sean Spicer and I have been talking. I was most excited to meet him because, like, the thing is that people would look at us and think that we’re polar opposites, but I’m a big believer that if you can talk to someone and meet in the middle, you can learn about each other and help each other both grow. And so we have been chatting all day today. Like, he’s a good guy. Really sweet guy.”

While still talking to Access Hollywood, Karamo commented on how surprised some people could be that he connected with Donald Trump’s Press Secretary. “Karamo from Queer Eye saying Sean Spicer is a nice guy. I know. Right. Right?”

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As an August 2019 article from The Guardian revealed, Karamo faced a fierce backlash after he made those comments. Most of the feedback Karamo received was from people who believed Sean played a role in harming the LGBTQ+ community.

The Guardian’s article stated that the backlash that Karamo faced became so fierce that he deleted his X/Twitter account at that time.

If Karamo temporarily shutting down his X/Twitter account made fans think he was backing down, that wasn’t the case.

Within weeks of Karamo’s first controversy that involved Sean Spicer, the drama reared its ugly head once again.

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After Karamo was eliminated from Dancing with the Stars, he spoke highly of Sean once again. As an October 2019 People article detailed, Karamo brought up fans who were angry at him for praising Sean Spicer after his DWTS elimination.

“Day one I got backlash [for supporting Spicer], I started this show with people telling me, ‘You’re horrible, you’re crazy, you’re stupid.’ Because I showed someone who has a different political view than mine kindness.”

While continuing to talk about his elimination, Karamo went on to call Sean his friend.

“Sean is literally someone who I would’ve never thought I could be friends with, and I’m going to walk away from here calling him a friend. I’m going to continue the conversation that we’ve had outside of this. And I don’t think Sean’s going to make it to the end [of the competition], but I’m proud of him. I really am proud of him, because he’s had fun every week and I think he’s exceptional.”

Karamo Brown Spoke Out About The Backlash He Received For Befriending Sean Spicer

In November 2019, Karamo Brown appeared on Buzzfeed News’ AM to DM talk show. During that appearance, as can be seen in a YouTube video, Karamo reflected on his friendship with Sean Spicer and how angry it made some people.

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During the interview, Karamo expressed how shocked he was that observers he felt were on his side felt he was an enemy because of his interactions with Sean. “A lot of it wasn’t coming from the other side, it was coming from my own side. I just never thought in my heart that people would look at me, and think, as a black gay man living in America, that I was somehow part of the enemy.”

Karamo also explained that he had challenging conversations with Sean he hoped would start to change his views. “I got to have real conversations with him and really talk about how he affected the world, like the lies that he told, how it hurt people, how it hurt me. And it helped him to grow and see, like, my point of view.”

That said, Karamo also stated that he didn’t think he had completely changed Sean’s mind. “Am I thinking this man is gonna change? No. Like, you know, but I’m hoping that I’m planting seeds that can help start to flourish and be better.”

Before that, in September 2019, Karamo Brown spoke out about how the backlash affected someone he loved, as a Page Six article detailed. During an episode of Catt Sadler’s “Naked Podcast,” Karamo stated that his son received death threats at the height of the backlash.

“He was running home because somebody was in a car chasing after him in the car screaming at him, ‘F you and your dad! You’re going to die!’ That’s what I don’t like. That’s the part that really makes me emotional and gets me upset. When I have to squeeze my hands — the daddy protective in me is just like, don’t do that.”

Given how Karamo has spoken about the backlash he faced, his decision to continue stating that he befriended Sean Spicer is remarkable.

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Queer Eye premiered in 2003, and after hopping off the air in 2007 was revived via Netflix in 2018. Each week, the “Fab Five”  help someone to improve their lifestyle by applying their expertise. The show stars Antoni Porowski (food and wine expert), Tan France (fashion expert), Karamo Brown (culture expert), Bobby Berk (design expert), and Jonathan Van Ness (grooming expert). 

Release Date

February 7, 2018

Main Genre

Reality

Network

Netflix

Creator(s)

David Collins

Cast

Jonathan Van Ness , Karamo Brown , Antoni Porowski , Tan France , Bobby Berk

Character(s)

Uncredited , Self – Grooming , Self – Food & Wine , Self – Interior Design , Self – Culture , Self – Fashion , Himself

Producers

Amy Introcaso-Davis , Andy Cohen , David Collins , Frances Berwick , Jill Danton , Michael Williams , Christian Barcellos , Linda Lea , Lynn Sadofsky

Seasons

9

Story By

David Collins

Writers

David Collins

Directors

David Collins

Showrunner

David Collins

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