Queer Eye's Karamo Brown shares secret alcohol and drug relapse after 12 years of sobriety

Karamo Brown has worked as Queer Eye's resident culture and wellbeing expert for 10 seasons now.

Away from the cameras, however, the 45-year-old at one point endured a private battle with both drug and alcohol addiction.

By the Netflix star's own admission, he battled depression while filming the show in 2018, despite the premise of the feel-good makeover reality series being to help weekly 'heroes' rebuild their confidence, revamp their living space and completely transform their life.

Each expert has their own role on the show.

Antoni Porowski works as the series' nutrition and hosting go-to, Bobby Berke (later replaced by Jeremiah Brent) was its original interior design and home organisation pro, and Jonathan Van Ness is the group's stylist, make-up artist and personal hygiene lead.

Brown admitted to relapsing after 12 years of sobriety (Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)

Tan France is also the show's resident fashionista, while Brown focuses his culture and lifestyle expertise on improving the relationships and social interactions between each 'hero'.

According to Brown, however, at one time during filming, he found himself living a lie.

"It felt shameful because I was teaching people that they could be better, but in my own life I was trapped," he told PEOPLE this week. "I was depressed."

The TV star also admitted to relapsing in 2018 after bullying and bad behaviour by executives of the show (which they 'strongly disagree with' as per a statement by ITV America and Scout Productions) exacerbated tensions between him and his relationships with his co-stars.

"I struggled with not facing my demons and the things I was going through on Queer Eye," he went on to confess. "It was, 'I’m stressed from work, meet me at a bar for a drink.'

Brown continued: "A drink would lead to weed, cocaine, pills. I wasn't coping right, but I pretended like I was. I was so broken."

Brown was previously accused of sexual harassment (Frazer Harrison/WireImage)

Things worsened between the group when Brown was accused of sexual harassment in a complaint filed against him by one of the 'Fab Five', whom he opted not to name. Brown, who was cleared of any wrongdoing, insists he had a 'fun and flirty' relationship with said co-star.

He recalled the allegation: "It broke us. We all knew the divide between us.

"There were times I was hurt and would lash back out. I recognise my part and how the things I did impacted people. I was not an angel."

Recalling his means of coping with these allegations, as well as alleged mistreatment from senior producers, Brown admitted: "After a couple of beers, I could smoke weed with you all night and not be able to function.

"I might take a pill with you and be rolling and thinking that was euphoria when it was not."

He added: "I might do cocaine to keep the party going and make me feel connected when it did not. I try to teach people now that it's not the substance you're struggling with, it's the feelings underneath that you haven't focused on."

Brown got sober in 2024 (John Nacion/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust)

Brown vowed to get sober in 2024 after a guest had a bad reaction to a drug they'd taken.

"Since that day, I’ve not had a single drink, cocktail - nothing," he claimed, adding that he now follows a 12-step program and regularly attends meetings.

"I want to encourage people that there's a side to not having to drink that is so fun."

ITV America and Scout Productions' full response reads: "We strongly disagree with any characterisation that concerns raised during the production of Queer Eye were ignored, dismissed or allowed to continue unchecked. Throughout the series' run, any issues brought to production leadership were taken seriously and addressed appropriately.

"Production consistently fostered a respectful and professional environment for the cast and crew — which included ongoing training, coaching and other support for the cast — maintaining clear workplace policies and practices throughout filming."

They added: "We remain incredibly proud of Queer Eye's lasting impact and the community the series helped build over more than 20 years.”

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