Buckle up Queer Eye fans, because a new person is joining the cast! As the Fab Five is preparing to return to Netflix for Season 9, everyone will still be present as the original hosts of the show except for one person: Bobby Berk. With the designer’s departure, the question on every fan’s mind is, “Who will be Bobby Berk’s replacement?” Well, wonder no more, because the new member of the Fab Five has been revealed!
On Feb. 27, Netflix announced that Berk will be replaced by newcomer Jeremiah Brent in Season 9. This comes as a surprise for many, as the show was thought to have a final season, only to be given a ninth season by Netflix. Like most of us, the revelation of Berk being replaced by Brent was a shock, but there are reasons behind Berk’s exit from the show.
If you don’t know what Queer Eye is, it’s a reality show based around the Fab Five experts — Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, Tan France, and formerly Bobby Berk — as they help different individuals with their style, decor, and confidence. The show is well-known for its genuine representation of the LGBT+ community as well as people of color. It is also known to challenge social norms and discuss societal issues, like homophobia and racism. Each of the experts has a different focus in the show, ranging from design to food and wine. Also, like other reality shows, each season takes place in a different state, thus presenting the viewer with the different cultures of the cities. Honestly, this show has a lot to unpack and showcase.
Why did Bobby Berk leave Queer Eye?
Before joining the show, Berk was a design expert focusing on interior design and home organization. He is married to his husband Dewey Do and has been heavily vocal about LGBT+ rights and equality. So, the real question is, why did Bobby leave?
Many believe that Berk left the show due to an ongoing feud with ex-co-star Tan France, which Berk himself has since addressed. Berk did note that, although he and France had an altercation, they have since made up and have moved past it. Others believed that the show was going to be canceled as the eighth season was believed to be their last season, until Netflix decided to renew the series and offer them a ninth season. When Netflix offered the cast the contract to extend the show, everyone but Bobby decided to sign. At this point, Berk has already informed his decision to exit the show. Berk’s exit does leave us wondering if he just wanted to spend time away from the spotlight or he just simply didn’t want to be a part of the show anymore.
So, who is Jeremiah Brent?
After Berk left the show, the cast decided to find a replacement. Luckily enough, an interior designer named Jeremiah Brent has been named as the new cast member for the show’s ninth season. With this new addition, Brent already knows the ins and outs of being on TV. He, alongside his husband Nate Berkus, had their own show on TLC called Nate & Jeremiah By Design, which ran from 2017 to 2019. Brent also appeared on shows like Say I Do and The Rachel Zoe Project, and was formerly the host of OWN’s Home Made Simple.
It’s fair to say that I am excited to see what Brent brings to the table for Queer Eye, but I’ll definitely miss Berk in Season 9!