How the Fab 5 Met and Became Friends Before Being Cast on ‘Queer Eye’
Queer Eye has been on Netflix since 2018; it’s a spinoff of the former Bravo show from years earlier. And the five cast members, who dub themselves the “Fab Five,” are best friends both on and off the screen. Fashion expert Tan France discussed in his book, Naturally Tan, how the squad met and even formed a group chat before being cast on the original series. Today, with seven seasons under their Gucci belts, the Fab Five is still going strong as incredibly close friends — starting with the group chat they formed before even knowing whether they’d be cast in the show.
The experts on Netflix’s ‘Queer Eye’ attended somewhat of a speed-dating audition event
It’s hard to imagine a time when the Fab Five from Queer Eye weren’t best friends. Before being cast in the reality series, each of the Fab Five members auditioned and met dozens of different experts, each wanting a role on Netflix’s show. During an interview with Glamour, the Fab Five elaborated on the casting and audition process.
“We were in a hotel in Glendale, and it was kind of like speed dating,” interior design expert Bobby Berk said. “There were three tables with executives and producers, and you just went from table to table. I think I sat around for about 12 hours to do 15 minutes of auditions.”
Tan France said the friends created a group chat before they were even cast
In his book, Naturally Tan: A Memoir, fashion expert Tan France discussed his first impression of each of the Fab Five members. Additionally, the author discussed how they quickly became friends after meeting each other through the audition process.
“At this point, however, I had gotten what I’d set out for, which was gay friends,” France wrote. “Bobby, Karamo, Jonathan, and I had created a group text called ‘Fab 5.’ Mind you, we hadn’t been chosen at this point, but we really liked each other and wanted to stay in touch. I knew that even if I didn’t get it, I wanted to stay in touch with these boys and hang out again. They were wicked.”
Ultimately, all five made the cut and shaped Queer Eye into what it is today. And five years later, the cast is closer than ever. France even revealed in the Glamour interview that Van Ness “enriches” his life. “He does call me around five or six times a day,” France said. “That’s no joke. He just calls to say he misses me and I love that.”
The cast frequently posts photos together on social media, confirming they’re just as close off-screen as when the cameras are rolling. Bobby Berk posted a sweet Instagram birthday tribute to France in April 2023, writing, “Happy birthday to this talented, kind, and special person. Love you babe.”
‘Queer Eye’ season 7 just premiered on Netflix
Since its premiere, Queer Eye has won multiple Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Structured Reality Program and Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program. The show has developed seven seasons in just five years, with its most recent season premiering on May 12, 2023. Members of the squad have since commented on the success of the series as well as the impact the show has had on their friendship.
“The show sort of transcends all of the sociopolitical stuff going on right now. I don’t want to use the word escape, but it’s an opportunity to look at pure, genuine kindness,” Antoni Porowski told Glamour. “I think we forgot the feeling of what it’s like to watch people be kind to each other. How could helping somebody to become a better version of themselves possibly get old?”
As for season 7, the show is set in New Orleans, and the cast joked about what it was like being in the area during Mardi Gras. “I was nearly naked … I never showed so much skin,” Van Ness joked in an interview with Etalk. France clarified the comment, saying the cast tried to wear “the least amount of clothing possible because we were sweating so badly” throughout filming. Of course, to see how season 7 plays out, fans will have to tune into Netflix.
