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Tan France, co-host and fashion expert on the Netflix series “Queer Eye,” addressed recent allegations that he pushed for his friend Jeremiah Brent to be hired to replace former cast member and interior design expert Bobby Berk.
In a recent Rolling Stone article, sources claimed that France (with the alleged support of co-host Antoni Porowski) “Campaigned” for Berk to be replaced by a new employee Jeremiah Brent. Brent will join the cast for season 9.
“Yes, I’ve heard what’s going on and I just want to address a point very quickly,” France said in a video post on Instagram on Friday. “My former colleague’s firing had nothing to do with me trying to hire my friend.”
France continued: “Netflix and the production companies did a complete casting. I didn’t support my friend for work. They ended up getting it because they were the best person for the job. Am I so happy they have the job? UH Huh! I really am, I think they’re going to be amazing on the show. But I didn’t get them hired by getting rid of someone else.”
France then expressed concern about where the recent conversation about previous seasons of “Queer Eye” initially began. “This all started with a comment on a gossip blog. That was republished and republished and then almost became gospel. So, from the horse’s mouth, I’m telling you that’s not at all how it all happened. You need to dig deeper, if you still don’t believe me, so be it, but that’s all.” (It is not clear which comment or which blog France was referring to.)
Berk announced that he would be leaving the series in 2023. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce that season 8 will be my last season on ‘Queer Eye,’” he said in November 2023. “It has not been an easy decision to make peace with him, but it is necessary. Although my journey with ‘Queer Eye’ is over, my journey with you is not.” Berk’s initial statement made no mention of his firing, which is how France today characterized his departure from office.
Shortly after France posted the video, Berk posted the meme of former President Michelle Obama’s quote: “When they go low, we go high!” to his X feed.
Variety He contacted representatives from both France and Berk. Berk declined to comment and France’s publicist did not immediately respond to a request for comment.