Interior designer Bobby Berk is taking a step back for some personal reflection, and it’s not just about adding a few accent mirrors. Fans of Queer Eye have been buzzing with speculations about behind-the-scenes tensions since the announcement last fall that Berk would be leaving the Fab Five—comprised of Tan France, Karamo Brown, Jonathan Van Ness, and Antoni Porowski—after the upcoming eighth season.
The rumors gained traction when Berk unfollowed co-star Tan France on Instagram, sparking talks of a potential feud. Berk recently confirmed in an interview with Vanity Fair that he and Tan had a personal situation, clarifying that it wasn’t romantic. “Tan and I had a moment. There was a situation, and that’s between Tan and me, and it has nothing to do with the show. It was something personal that had been brewing—and nothing romantic, just to clarify that,” said Berk.
Reflecting on the Instagram unfollow, Berk admitted he probably shouldn’t have taken that step and suggested he might have simply muted France’s account. He explained, “But that day, I was angry, and that’s the end of it. We became like siblings—and siblings are always going to fight.” Berk shared that they hugged and congratulated each other at the Emmy Awards, describing it as “the first bandage on that wound.” He envisions being on good terms with France in six months to a year.
As for departing from Queer Eye, Berk revealed that all members of the Fab Five had mentally prepared to leave after their contract expired in September 2022. However, Netflix offered them a new deal for four additional cycles due to low content caused by Hollywood strikes. Berk declined, having already started planning other projects. He believed his co-stars would follow suit, but they all decided to sign right before the deadline. Berk expressed some initial frustration but vaguely mentioned that each had their reasons for the decisions made.
