In a world of superficial relationships and fleeting fame, Karamo Brown stands out as a symbol of authenticity. From his career in reality TV to Queer Eye And his talk show KaramoBrown has captivated audiences with his authentic connection and unwavering commitment to mental health advocacy.
But unlike some experts in the field, Brown isn’t shying away from sharing his own experiences with mental health. Instead, he speaks of the power of vulnerability. His memoir, Karamo: My Story of Purpose, Healing, and Hope The site has become his most candid platform for speaking about his experiences with depression, addiction and much more. “I share it because I recovered from it, and I want other people to know that they can recover too.”
From reality TV to real connections
Brown traces her TV beginnings back to a little show you may have heard of: “My career started 20 years ago. real world, So I decided that my young, 23-year-old self would take the opportunity to go on a reality TV show and get drunk,” he says.
“Somehow, during that time, I learned a lot about myself and about other people. But I felt very alone and felt like no one understood me. What we know now about gay culture and the experiences of people of color, my co-stars didn’t have that knowledge. I don’t think the world had that knowledge either. So I felt really alone and was gaslighted a lot of times. I decided I didn’t want anyone to feel that way and asked myself how could I make this my career, and I’ve been on that trajectory ever since.”
Brown’s journey ultimately led him to Queer Eye, There, he emerged as the show’s cultural expert. But his path to joining the iconic series wasn’t without its setbacks. It’s no wonder Brown’s passion for mental health advocacy shone through during his audition — he begged his agent to put him in front of producers after casting was over.
“I started talking about mental health, which in 2016, 2017, people weren’t really talking about. You can change someone’s appearance, but if you don’t focus on what got them stuck in the first place, the emotional issues they were going through, they’ll just go back to the way they were,” he explained. Ultimately, he got the role.
Off camera, Brown talks about his relationships with other hosts. Queer Eye It’s evolved to be as authentic as it is on screen. “Honestly, we’re the best of friends,” he says. “It’s really amazing to be able to work on a show with people that you love.”
Daytime debut
In 2022, Brown will appear on the show ” KaramoHe describes the experience as a “whirlwind,” saying: “It was like a marathon… On my talk show, we shoot about 200 episodes a season, which means about six episodes per day. Queer Eye, We will shoot 10-16 episodes within two seasons.”
Despite the demanding workload, Brown approaches each episode and guest with deep empathy and careful listening: “It’s hard to have a brand new person sit in front of you and immediately understand what they’re saying. I don’t just respond. I don’t just listen. I listen to what you have to say, take copious notes, and make sure everyone leaves with at least a first step and, hopefully, a solution.”
As he navigated the world of daytime television, Brown encountered comparisons to legendary hosts like Jerry Springer and Maury Povich, which initially frustrated him. “In season one, I hated it. I know what people are saying by comparing me to them,” Brown acknowledges, noting that each of these men “are legends in their own right and helped popularize the format so that I could create the show that I do today.” But Brown says his show sets itself apart by cultivating authentic emotion without slipping into sensationalism. “I make people feel real emotions,” he declares. “As long as they keep watching, I’m happy.”
Finding balance and boundaries
For Brown, maintaining her mental health means prioritizing boundaries and balance. “I work hard, so I have very clear, balanced boundaries. If I work five days, I need five days off to do my work.”
But it wasn’t always this way. “For a long time in my life, it was all about never standing still, whether it was with my partner, my kids, or my job.” Since then, Brown has made great strides in creating what she calls boundary balance. “It was a daily practice that built the confidence to say to those around me, ‘I’ve been giving my time to you all this time, and now I need some time.'”
“I remember the first time I did it with my kids, and I said, ‘Daddy’s going to be away for a while, so I’m going to ask your auntie to come and look after him, and then you’re not allowed to contact me for five hours.’ They were confused, but I said, ‘This is just me teaching them that I’m balancing and setting boundaries so they can understand how to do it.'”
The role of self-care
So what does this “off” time look like for Brown? “I’m a spa buff,” he says. “I go to Burke Williams in LA almost every week. I get a 90-minute massage and a spa day every day, and that’s all I need,” he says. But resetting and recharging also means spending time with the people he loves. “I love catching up with friends, so I love house parties, pool parties, game nights, movie nights,” he says.
Another self-care staple is skincare.
Brown founded his own skincare brand, MANTL, in 2020 after noticing a gap in the market. “I realized that there weren’t any products that would allow me, as a balding man, to find a way to take care of my head and my face at the same time,” Brown said. After partnering with a cosmetic chemist, MANTL started with a blemish-removing face wash that “helps fade blemishes when you shave,” and then launched a sunscreen, “because most men, especially those who are balding, don’t realize that they need to wear sunscreen every day.”
Brown explains that the brand has expanded to include men who aren’t bald. Queer EyeBobby Berk calls SPF popular alongside the ladies: “I’m really proud of SPF and the progress it’s made,” he says.
While Brown may seem like he’s unlocked the secret to living a balanced, fulfilling life, he’s willing to admit that he still has a long way to go. “Life hasn’t always been this way. There have been times when I felt very dark,” he admits. But Brown hopes that by sharing his experience, he can inspire others to seek help and healing.
“I speak openly about this because, for all reasons, all odds, I should not be where I am today. The system was not made for me. I am a black gay man with immigrant parents who grew up in the South. But my healing, the work I’ve done, the help I’ve received, the fact that I wasn’t afraid to share my truth, all of these things have helped me get to where I should be in life, and I try to show others that they can be successful as well.”
