Fans and fellow ‘Queer Eye’ stars react to Bobby Berk’s departure from the show

Interior design expert Bobby Berk made the surprise announcement yesterday that he will be leaving Queer Eye. Berk took to social media to reveal that he will leave after the eighth season, which Netflix announced will air from January 24, 2024.

Berk has been part of the rebooted show since it returned in 2018, alongside Karamo Brown, Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski and Tan France. Season eight will take place again in New Orleans. Season nine, to be set in Las Vegas, has already been commissioned.

To the Queer Eye Community who have become family to me.

The love that I have received from you all over the last 6 years has been absolutely surreal. You have tuned in and been dedicated fans and together we were able to share the healing powers of design.

— Bobby (@bobbyberk) November 13, 2023

On X (formerly Twitter), Berk posted a thread. He said, “To the Queer Eye Community who have become family to me. The love that I have received from you all over the last 6 years has been absolutely surreal. You have tuned in and been dedicated fans and together we were able to share the healing powers of design.

“I learned from you all about kindness, love and acceptance and that has changed my life for the better. The way you have embraced me and accepted me for who I am is something that l will truly carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Berk went on to thank all those who had shared their stories with him and allowed him into their homes.

“It’s all because of you that I’ve kept going all these years and each and every one of you have changed me for the better.”

Berk concluded, “It’s with a heavy heart that I announce that season 8 will be my final season on Queer Eye. It’s not been an easy decision to be at peace with, but a necessary one. Although my journey with Queer Eye is over, my journey with you is not. You will be seeing more of me very soon.

“I love you all so so much and I’ll meet you all in Nola for one final season.”

Some of his fellow Queer Eye stars were among the first to comment under his Instagram posting.

Karamo Brown said, “@bobby we are #ForeverTheFab5 | no matter what. I’m about to be a Netflix’s door & e-mails telling them you can’t leave! Who is coming with me? 😢😍 I love you!”

Antoni Porowski said, “#foreverthefab5 indeed, and don’t forget it ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”

Jonathan Van Ness posted a row of love-heart emojis: “❤️❤️❤️” On his Instagram stories, JVN said “One of a kind & such a star, love you Bobby.”

The official Queer Eye accounts also shared the news.

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Online, many thanked Berk for his work on Queer Eye, and for sharing so much about his own journey. This included the trauma inflicted by his religious upbringing when younger.

Bobby, thank you for all you bring to QE, but I want to personally thank you for your vulnerability, especially re: religious trauma/abuse. As a former christian, I appreciate your openness in respecting others' freedom of religion while standing firm in your freedom from it. ❤️

— Jexas (@Jexas) November 13, 2023

Others said the show just won’t be the same without Berk, suggesting that he… well, did a lot of the heavy transformation work.

I will never not laugh at how Bobby remodels someone’s entire god damn house while Karamo grabs a thesaurus off the shelf and Antoni teaches them how to zest a lemon. https://t.co/bkthkcxF9v

— Bombae, from TV (@ItsBomBae) November 13, 2023

Many others just wanted to say they were excited to see what Berk does next.

Bobby! I am excited for your next chapter and wish for you all possible success. I LOVE you on QE especially when you discussed the harm that your Southern religious upbringing caused you. I lived the exact same story and watching you was deeply healing for me. Thank you. 🥹

— Travis Reece-Nguyen (he/him) MD, MPH, FAAP 🏳️‍🌈 (@reece_nguyen) November 13, 2023

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