2020 hasn't been a bundle of sweet and light has it, if we're honest? But the sun is shining through the clouds here and there, and with the fifth series of Queer Eye arriving on Netflix, we've got something extra to be thankful for.
If you’d told us back in 2018 that the year's most-discussed (and most-loved) Netflix show would not be a gritty, prestige drama in the vein of Orange Is The New Black but rather a rebooted Bravo makeover format last seen in the mid-Noughties, we’d have been a little sceptical. But since it landed, Queer Eye has defied the odds, emerging as a series that's by turns funny, uplifting, and tear-jerking, one that isn't afraid to tackle everything from police brutality to gender roles to self-care with the same light touch. After the success of the first eight episode drop, we've since been treated to a second season, one with a yet more diverse line-up which features the first female makeover and the first trans contestant for the Fab Five (our quintet of presenters consisting of grooming expert Jonathan Van Ness, odds-defying interior decorator Bobby Berk, stylist Tan France, culture guy Karamo Brown andslogan T-shirt fan Antoni Porowski). If you managed to emerge from either season with dry eyes and mascara intact, you're certainly made of stronger stuff than we are.
Just as we've become overly invested in the show's presenters and their sweet internet friendships (a casual scroll through Instagram is not complete without seeing one of the Queer Eye gang showing their love for another through the medium of well-chosen emoji), we've naturally become attached to the show's 'heroes,' that is, the newly groomed, newly woke, newly short-sleeved shirt-wearing subjects of each episode.
Do they stick to the skincare regimes that Jonathan has carefully curated? Do they relapse into their cargo short-hoarding habits? Do they (in the case of season one's Tom) end up with the love of their lives? While we're petitioning Netflix for more episodes, we've looked back at our favourite participants from the both seasons to find out how the Fab Five's advice has changed them...
Where are the Queer Eye stars now: season one and two
Queer Eye - Where Are They Now? - Grazia
Tom: Season One, Episode One
The Fab Five's first makeover subject was self-described redneck Tom, a Mountain Dew devotee with the heart-breaking catchphrase 'You can't fix ugly.' At the end of the episode, he appeared on the verge of a tentative reconciliation with his ex-wife, Abbey. Though Tom later announced on Twitter that they were no longer together, they've since (re) tied the knot in a low-key ceremony. Then they divorced again in 2019. Keeping up?
Neal: Season One, Episode Two
Following his Queer Eye makeover, app developer Neal seems to be fully embracing everything he learned from the Fab Five. 'I feel fully confident in business meetings. I'm way more engaged,' he recently told Men's Health. 'It's not just new clothes. It's my attitude, too.' He's still Instagramming pictures of his dog, too, and describes himself online as a 'mediocre comedian.'
Cory: Season One, Episode Three
NASCAR enthusiast and police officer Cory seems to have taken Jonathan's skincare gospel to heart: face mask selfies are now regular programming on his Instagram account. Following their much-discussed heart to heart about police brutality, he and Karamo have forged a close relationship. 'We still have some political differences, but as a whole, I see him as a human being and he sees me as a human being,' the latter told Buzzfeed. 'I see him as a father, he sees me as a father. That's why we're texting each other at eight o'clock in the morning.' They even FaceTimed each other to watch Cory's episode together. Aww.
AJ: Season One, Episode 4
Queer Eye isn't short of tear-jerking moments, but AJ's episode – which saw him finally come out to his much-loved step-mother – was a season one standout. Since then, he's got married to his boyfriend, Andre.
Remy: Season One, Episode Six
Remy, who recruited the Five to help him transform the house he'd inherited from his grandmother (complete with some outstanding '70s décor), has clearly taken their style advice to heart: his Instagram account shows him sporting some Karamo-esque bomber jackets and print shirts that Tan would be proud of. Plus, he attended the Black Panther premiere in some Wakanda-infused garb, too.
Bobby: Season One, Episode Five
Bobby, his wife Vera and their six children moved out of the home which we saw made over on episode five. 'Vera literally DM'd me the day before yesterday and they moved to a different house with three bedrooms,' Jonathan told Buzzfeed, adding that the Camp brood are 'still using their kits and caboodles, which is great.' I mean, who would turn down his curated selection of grooming products?
Joe: Season One, Episode Seven
Well, this is a little awkward. It seems that aspiring comedian Joe decided to delete the website which Karamo built for him. 'He was like, "I'm not sure if I'm ready for that point in my career,"' Karamo told Buzzfeed. 'I was like, "I'm building you this because in a matter of months, millions of people are gonna see you and flock to your website!" And he took it down.' Just think of all the Google authority you could have gained, Joe… That aside, his Instagram account suggests that he's still getting his hair cut at the salon Jonathan recommended. That's something at least.
Jeremy: Season One, Episode Eight
Firefighter Jeremy doesn't have social media, but we know from his station's official Facebook account that he recently achieved his goal and qualified to become one of 1,279 Chief Fire Officers around the world. Congratulations!
Tammye: Season Two, Episode One
The show's first female makeover was one of the most emotional episodes to date, with viewers immediately taking Mamma Tammye and her son Myles into their hearts. Speaking to Vanity Fair, Jonathan revealed: 'I talk to Tammye a lot on Instagram. I'm always on the DM with my queen.' (Indeed, he recently shared her new haircut to his social media followers). Happily, he continues, 'she is doing really good […] still just nurturing other people and giving so much of herself all the time.' Myles, meanwhile, has returned to his church choir again.
William: Season Two, Episode Two
William, populariser of the phrase 'I Shannan You' (if you know, you know), found the courage to propose to his long-term girlfriend with the help of the Fab Five. William and Shannan tied the knot on June 16th of last year, and you can see the photos on his Twitter account.
Jason: Season Two, Episode Four
The end credits of Burning Man aficionado Jason's Queer Eye makeover gave us the conclusion we'd been rooting for: he'd ditched his plans to move to Reno and had finally got together with his best friend Beth. We're pleased to report that the couple are still together, according to Beth's Twitter account.
Skyler: Season Two, Episode Five
When the Fab Five first met Skyler, the first trans man to feature in the newly rebooted Queer Eye, he had only recently undergone top surgery. Now, he is seeking justice: he sued his employer after discovering that his insurance excluded trans-related healthcare.
Arian: Season Two, Episode Six
Of course, the question on everyone's lips is: did Ari finally graduate college? Luckily, Karamo has the answers. He told Vanity Fair: 'I've been in contact with him and he finally graduated and has a job. I'm so proud of him.' Hooray! He now works as an analyst in Atlanta.
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