Strange eye Star Karamo Brown opens up about why he missed press appearances for the final season of the hit Netflix show and shares more about his tough experiences filming the reality TV series, including relapsing during the show’s third season and his mother overhearing others cursing at him on set.
In January, Brown withdrew from the appearance CBS Morning and today Along with the rest of the Fab Five (Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness, Tan France, and Jeremiah Brent), they do so at the last minute and only issue the following statement: “I hope everyone remembers the main theme I’ve tried to teach them over the past decade, which is to focus on their mental health and protecting them from people or the world who would seek to destroy it; that’s why I can’t be there today.”
Additionally, Assistant Brown said CBS Morning and todayrespectively, that he was “worried about being harassed” and “felt mentally and emotionally abused for years.”
Now, Brown says the people In the cover story he and his co-stars were “always together because of the fans, but because of the work I’ve done on myself, I asked, ‘If I stay quiet right now and pretend I’m sick or something, whose peace will I protect?’
He goes on to say that he dealt with toxicity with his colleagues, which was exacerbated by the bullying and unchecked bad behavior he allegedly endured from executives and production members.
“Everyone would say, ‘Well, that’s just that person,’ instead of saying, ‘This behavior is out of keeping with the professional environment,’” he says. “It affected me negatively and on an ongoing basis.”
Strange eye In a statement, production company ITV America and Scout Productions disagreed with Brown’s suggestion that the concerns be dismissed or overlooked, and emphasized that the production aims to create a “respectful and professional environment.”
“We strongly disagree with any description that raises concerns during the production of the film Strange eye “They were ignored, dismissed or allowed to continue unchecked,” the statement read. “Throughout the series’ run, any issues brought to production leadership were taken seriously and dealt with appropriately. The production continually fostered a respectful and professional environment for cast and crew – which included ongoing training, mentoring and other support for the actors – while maintaining clear workplace policies and practices throughout filming. We remain incredibly proud Strange eye“The lasting impact and community the series has helped build over more than 20 years.”
Brown argues that he and his co-stars, including original star Bobby Berk who Brent replaced in 2024, first split after a sexual harassment complaint was filed against Brown in the first few weeks of filming. He claims to be an unnamed member of the Fab Five and had a “fun and flirtatious” relationship during casting. He initially accused his co-star of filing the complaint. It was later learned that the letter came from an anonymous third party and he explained that he had been cleared of any wrongdoing. A source within the production disputed the people How Brown described what happened But he said an investigation had been conducted and “all parties wanted to move forward with the show.”
However, Brown recalls a senior commander telling him in the early days of the show: “You’re not a star. I’m going to get rid of you tomorrow.”
Multiple sources said the people Brown’s relations were particularly tense with France and Van Ness, who previously said that A.J Rolling Stone The revelation that he was emotionally abusive “was not based in reality.”
Brown and Van Ness did not speak, but Brown paid tribute to his former star.
“The work I’ve seen Jonathan put into himself is commendable and inspiring,” he says. “Growth isn’t always about facing the public, but I respect him for the way he currently moves through life.”
Brown also admits that sometimes, “I was hurt and I would hit back hard. I realize my role and how the things I did affected people.”
And also speaks to the people About how he relapsed in 2018, during the show’s third season, after 12 years of sobriety.
“The drink could lead to weed, cocaine and pills,” he says. “I wasn’t coping properly, but I pretended to. I was so devastated.”
He says he is now sober again the people“I didn’t have a single drink or cocktail — nothing.”
Brown also confirms what I reported TMZ Shortly after he withdrew from Strange eye In press appearances, his mother overheard his co-stars cursing at him when she visited the set in 2025.
“The thing I know is the tears I saw in my mother’s eyes,” he says. “[She kept repeating]”I thought they were your friends.” It made me realize that I could no longer stay silent about how many times I felt like an outsider.
His former stars did not respond to him the peopleRequests for comment, but Brown hopes they can resolve any issues.
“I think we all deserve a little grace for the way we’ve treated ourselves and each other,” he says. “We were doing our best. Maybe I didn’t feel that way right now, but it’s very clear to me now.”
