The Netflix reboot of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy kicked off in 2018 and has had quite some traction with several seasons available on the popular streaming platform. Still, one of the cast members that has been there since the reboot kicked off, Bobby Berk announced his departure from the show.
Today, we are going to break down for you the details behind the decision of the now former 42-year-old cast member. We’ll also cover the reactions from some of his colleagues in the show like Jonathan Van Ness and Antoni Porowski as Berk’s decision shocked the entertainment world and followers of this series.
This piece of news —received with shock, awe, and surprise by the fanbase— became a trending topic on social media and managed to position itself among the top trending hashtags amongst the most popular social networks as fans made memes, edits, and clips of Bobby Berk’s moments during his tenure in the acclaimed Netflix series.
Why Did Bobby Leave Queer Eye?
Bobby Berk made an announcement on his Instagram account expressing that “with a heavy heart” the upcoming eighth season of Queer Eye on Netflix will be his last. The beloved member of the Fab Five reboot didn’t explicitly clarify his reasons for leaving the popular series. Still, this piece of news comes three months after his father’s untimely passing.
The 42-year-old designer has been quite vocal about how hard it was for him to come out of the closet, the challenges he faced during his childhood as he was exploring his sexuality, and his decision to leave his house at age fifteen because his family with its strong religious values wouldn’t accept his coming out.
There’s also the conflicting schedules between cast members, each of which have their own gig and hustle going on, and getting them to work together twice a year in that two seasons per year format could be tricky, particularly when several of them are so dedicated to different things like personal projects, branding, activism and the likes.
Still, Bobby Berk did manage to move forward, and became so successful that both his casting in the Netflix reboot of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy as well as his work is widely recognized.
Berk is also very vocal in his IG posts thanking his fan base for all their good wishes, support and messages, and he also hints that his work with the rest of the cast isn’t over, so other projects, endeavors and similar gigs might be on the way for Berk.
How Did The Rest Of The Fab Five React To Bobby Leaving Queer Eye?
The rest of the cast members of Netflix’s Queer Eye expressed their solidarity, particularly Caro Brown, Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness who consider that Bobby Berk will be forever a member of the Fab Five and praised his work, achievements, talent, dedication, and drive when working with him. While they are sad to see him go, they are also sending him public messages of support.
What Lies Ahead For Bobby Berk After Queer Eye?
Bobby Berk is a very talented man, and his departure from Netflix’s Queer Eye won’t hinder his drive to succeed, that’s for sure. Berk is a designer and is likely to engage in several personal and private projects that will buttress, impulse, and boost his personal brand.
Bobby Berk is likely to continue his work as a designer and set up shop apart from Queer Eye with a talented group of collaborators who will be on the market for private contracting regarding interior design gigs. His talent is evident way before his six seasons in Queer Eye, a series that managed to win ten Emmy Awards for Outstanding Reality Program, so he’s likely to embark on his own firm and renew homes.
Who Will Replace Bobby In Queer Eye?
Netflix is yet to announce who will be Bobby Berk’s replacement in Queer Eye. Still, Queer Eye has been green-lit by the streaming giant for a ninth season that will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bobby’s final season will premiere on January 24, 2024, following its format of Fall and Spring runs and will take place in New Orleans.
