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Where Are All the 'Queer Eye' Heroes Now?

Catching up with the people who the Fab 5 has made over.

By Charlotte Walsh Jan 25, 2022

In six seasons and two spin-offs of Queer Eye, the Fab 5 has changed the lives of some 60 people. That's 60 insanely quick renovations, 60 Karamo Brown therapy sessions and at least 60 times we've reached for a tissue. But what's up with the show's heroes now? See who kept up with their grooming routine and who would happily get styled by Tan France again in the future.

Tom Jackson (Season 1, Episode 1)

Unfortunately, though the two reunited on the show, Jackson revealed in 2019 that he and Abby divorced once again, saying "the roller coaster ride is over." In summer 2021, he got in hot water for some political tweets, but in September said that he's "not talking politics anymore. [He is] still just a lovable Dumb Old Country Boy."

Neal Reddy (Season 1, Episode 2)

Reddy is thriving as an actor and comedian, recently presenting at the 2021 Golden Trailer Awards. He is now sober and still talks to the Queer Eye guys, who say he's a "completely different person" than when they met him. In an anniversary post about the show, Reddy wrote that his life has gotten "exponentially" better since then. "Having to take accountability and really work on my life has been rougher than living in quiet complacency," he wrote. "But it's been worth it. I have hope now."

Cory Waldrop (Season 1, Episode 3)

Culture expert Karamo Brown said in 2018 that Waldrop's transformation was "one of the most dynamic changes I have ever seen." Brown said Waldrop texts him photos of the hair routine that Jonathan Van Ness taught him, and said he's now becoming more active and socially aware as a police officer. He's continued to be involved with Queer Eye, recently gifting items from the show's furniture line to a deserving person in his community.

AJ Brown (Season 1, Episode 4)

Unfortunately after two and a half years of marriage, Brown and his husband, Drey, have divorced, though hasn't quit believing in love. He recently bought a new condo in Atlanta's "gayborhood," and hired a decorator to give it the "Bobby treatment." Brown also recently overcame a cancer scare — the same kind that took his father's life — and has renewed appreciation for his health.

Bobby Camp (Season 1, Episode 5)

Camp has maintained the haircut that Van Ness gave him, and the kids have continued to use their grooming kits. In early 2018, the family moved out of the home that design expert Bobby Berk renovated, upgrading to a place with three bedrooms.

Remington Porter (Season 1, Episode 6)

Porter has been prioritizing self-care, hitting the gym and reading self-help books. He traveled extensively before the pandemic, to places such as Brazil, Thailand and the Dominican Republic, and continues to work in real estate and home improvement.

Joe Gallois (Season 1, Episode 7)

Gallois has since taken down the website Brown built for his comedy. But he still loves to make jokes on his Instagram and Twitter, and has kept up the haircut Van Ness gave him.

Jeremy Holmes (Season 1, Episode 8)

Though Holmes is not very active online, he and the Covington Fire Department seem to be doing well: In December 2017, Holmes became a Chief Fire Officer via the Commission on Professional Credentialing and is one of 1,300 CFOs worldwide. During quarantine, the station uploaded weekly videos on fire safety to connect with the community.

Tammye Hicks, aka Mama Tammye (Season 2, Episode 1)

One of the series' most famous stars, Mama Tammye continues to post words of affirmation to her nearly 100,000 followers. She interacts with the Fab 5 a lot: Recently, she received JVN's hair care line in the mail to help with her dryness.

William Mahnken (Season 2, Episode 2)

Mahnken, who got engaged to girlfriend Shannan with the Fab 5's help, got married in June 2018, according to Vanity Fair . Now the two are going into business together, starting a "Selfie Museum" called MugShotz. However, Mahnken hasn't lost his passion for filmmaking — as an actor, he had a minor role in Stranger Things Season 3, playing a writer at the Hawkins Post. Shannan even got in on the action.

Leonardo "Leo" Loria Rico (Season 2, Episode 3)

Loria Rico and his wife, Beth, just welcomed a new baby. To focus on his growing family, he retired from bartending; now, he's started a new career in carpentry and construction and is own boss. Plus, he finally learned how to make pasta from scratch.

Jason Vogelsang (Season 2, Episode 4)

Vogelsang and Beth Penland, who broke the "Friend Zone curse" and got together at the end of his episode, are still together and living in Atlanta. True to his spirit, he's still obsessed with Burning Man.

Skyler Jay (Season 2, Episode 5)

After the show, Jay sued his employer, the University System of Georgia, after he was denied health insurance coverage three times. According to Out.com, he won, and the state's public college system changed its policies to provide trans-inclusive coverage and reimbursed Jay for expenses paid out of pocket. Now Jay is an activist, educating the public on trans care and helping run trans bodybuilding competitions.

Arian Samiei (Season 2, Episode 6)

Samiei graduated from Georgia State University in 2017 and worked for over three years as an analyst at Deloitte in Atlanta. According to his Facebook, he's now a delivery manager at T-Mobile. He also recently became a homeowner, and while his home is a clean canvas, he says his time with Bobby will inspire his decor. In the coming year, Samiei will be working on his MBA.

Sean VanMeter (Season 2, Episode 7)

Now a senior at Piedmont University, VanMeter continues to play music, and released a series of singles in 2019. And it seems the Fab 5's efforts to help him socialize have paid off — VanMeter now has a girlfriend whom he's been dating for over three years.

Ted Terry (Season 2, Episode 8)

Though he's no longer the mayor of Clarkston, Terry's been pretty busy since his Queer Eye episode. He ran for United States Senate, dropping out in January 2020 due to fundraising struggles. (Sen. Jon Ossoff would eventually win the seat in a highly competitive runoff.) Instead, he ran for and won an open DeKalb County commission seat.

George Hempenstall ( Queer Eye: Yass, Australia! )

After meeting Hempenstall, a cowboy from the town of Yaas, Australia, the Fab 5 traded in his five-gallon hat for a new tooth and confidence. Hempenstall is still single according to his Facebook.

Jody Castellucci (Season 3, Episode 1)

Since the show, Castellucci has kept in touch with the Fab 5 and her fellow heroes. She's kept up a more feminine wardrobe (for special events) and has maintained her more cool-toned hair color. Oh, and her youngest daughter got married!

Joey Greene (Season 3, Episode 2)

In an interview with The Pitch , Greene said since the show, he's been using the wardrobe France gave him, which features "enough shoes for the rest of [his] life." On a more serious note, he also said the show "removed a lot of things that kept me in darkness."

Deborah and Mary Jones (Season 3, Episode 3)

Hitchcock has continued being a devoted husband and father. He's also been maintaining his Queer Eye shave and meeting up with previous contestants for meals.

Jess Guilbeaux (Season 3, Episode 5)

Since her episode aired, Guilbeaux hasn't taken a breath. She's now a model and activist with over 100,000 followers on Instagram. She has a girlfriend of over two years, Emma, and even received the funds she needs to pay back her student loans from Queer Eye fans around the world. She's now re-enrolled in school and has a year left to complete her degree in computer science. "This was a dream that seemed impossible before Queer Eye," she says.

Since the show, Jess has also maintained regular contact with her sister and niece — they speak almost daily and even do regular sister trips. Now, she and Emma live in Philadelphia with a dog, a cat and many plants.

Rob Elrod (Season 3, Episode 6)

When we met Elrod, he had lost his wife to breast cancer and was struggling to raise his two children on his own. Now he seems to be doing better — posting pictures of his sons, attending concerts and playing the guitar (saying the family band is "still a work in progress"). He even appears to have a new girlfriend.

Thomas Diggs (Season 3, Episode 7)

Though Diggs hasn't posted much since his episode, he told Rockhurst University that he's made a point to implement some of the changes he learned on Queer Eye. He now gets out of the house at least once a week for something other than work or school and has been working on body language while meeting new people.

Tony Blanco (Season 3, Episode 8)

There's another Blanco baby! Tony's daughter Finley was born in early 2021. Since the show, he's also heard Van Ness speak and cleared up why he decided to shave at the end of his episode.

Kathleen Dooley (Season 4, Episode 1)

Good news: Dooley has not grown out her mullet again. Instead, she's been continuing her work at Quincy Senior High and starring in the Queer Eye Lego collab (she's given two mini figures — a before and after). Van Ness has also flown back out to Quincy multiple times to cut her hair.

Wesley Hamilton (Season 4, Episode 2)

Hamilton and his organization, Disabled But Not Really, have continued to thrive post-Queer Eye. In March 2021, Hamilton was recognized as a CNN Hero, and the organization recently won $1 million on Good Morning America . He also recently modeled in NYFW (NBD).

John Stoner (Season 4, Episode 3)

According to Screen Rant, since the show Stoner has been seeing a therapist to help with his depression, which he says has led to him being a better father to his daughter Lucy. He's been maintaining his more refined image and has a new girlfriend named Amber, a plus-size model.

Wanda Winters (Season 4, Episode 4)

Winters has maintained the beautiful home that Bobby designed and has remained committed to her health. When she's not running the Pythons Drill Team with Joe (one of her nominators), she's getting ready to welcome her new granddaughter.

Kenny Yarnevich (Season 4, Episode 5)

Munoz had a lot on her plate when the Fab 5 found her, and she's still going strong — in addition to the Latino Arts Foundation, she creates earrings under the name Midwest Chicana Brand and has started a podcast.

Brandonn Mixon (Season 4, Episode 7)

Mixon has continued to be a dedicated husband and father, in addition to continuing his work on the Veterans Community Project. Recently, the nonprofit has broken ground on villages of tiny homes for veterans in St. Louis and Longmont, Colorado.

Matt Moreland (Season 4, Episode 8)

Though Moreland isn't very active on social media, it seems as though he's doing well, maintaining both his Van Ness haircut and his farm, the Red Barn Ranch.

Yoko Sakuma ( Queer Eye: We're in Japan! Episode 1)

According to Refinery29, Queer Eye inspired hospice owner Sakuma to hire extra staff at the center so she could have more time for herself. She's spent some time back on the dating scene "looking for someone who can hold [her] hand." Plus, she's been keeping up with the Queer Eye community — she even met Mama Tammye in 2020.

Kan, aka Kanyoncé ( Queer Eye: We're in Japan! Episode 2)

When we met Kan, he was struggling with his identity while living as a gay man in Japan and dating long-distance. Now he's moved to the United Kingdom to be with Tom, and the two recently got married. In his wedding post, he thanked Tinder for bringing the two together and the Queer Eye gang for giving him his confidence.

Kae Tanaka ( Queer Eye: We're in Japan! Episode 3)

Since the show, illustrator Tanaka has continued to make art, which she posts on her Instagram. She cut her hair even shorter and opened her first solo exhibition in the Kansai region in early 2021.

Makoto Chiba ( Queer Eye: We're in Japan! Episode 4)

While the recent events of the world have not allowed Chiba to take wife Yasuko on dates, they are still happily married!  He credits Karamo for helping them reconcile their fears of opening up to each other and for bringing them closer. Chiba permanently traded in his glasses and bland clothing for contact lenses and a colorful wardrobe. As far as his culinary skills go, he's become an expert in cracking an egg on instant ramen!

Noah Hepler (Season 5, Episode 1)

Hepler, the gay pastor struggling with his identity at the beginning of Season 5, has implemented much of the Fab 5's teachings: He's maintained Van Ness' haircut and, according to Refinery29, has committed himself to learning queer theology. He's found a deeper community in his church, preaching online and working on renovations to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Atonement.

Rahanna Gray (Season 5, Episode 2)

Stylish Pooch, Gray's dog grooming and coloring business, has been so popular since appearing on Queer Eye that she's added a pup hotel and salon in addition to her mobile grooming service. Despite hiring a team of groomers to help out with appointments, Stylish Pooch has recently been fully booked.

Kevin Abernethy (Season 5, Episode 3)

Due to complications from diabetes, Abernethy unfortunately had to have his right leg amputated from the knee down shortly after his episode aired. But Queer Eye fans around the world chipped in to help with his hospital bills, raising nearly $16,000 by June 2020.

Tyreek Wanamaker (Season 5, Episode 4)

Though Wanamaker no longer works at Mighty Writers, the youth-literacy organization where we first met him, he's still involved with helping others in his community. He remains the Director of Development of the Block Gives Back, a nonprofit that organizes free meals, provides school supplies to kids and organizes anti-violence campaigns, and he may even run for local office one day.

Abby Leedy (Season 5, Episode 5)

Leedy is still hard at work with the Sunrise Movement, and even got arrested in October 2021 for demanding that Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) take action on climate change. Since the show, she's moved out of the organization's housing and is now living in an apartment with fellow activists. According to an interview with Grid after her episode, she's also implemented a lot of the Fab 5's advice, like putting a hard day off on her calendar and using Van Ness' skincare regimen.

Ryan Dyer (Season 5, Episode 6)

Dyer is still DJing down the shore. Sadly, he recently moved out of his Queer Eye house, but promised he'll take the lessons Berk taught him to his next place.

Jennifer Sweeney (Season 5, Episode 7)

Unfortunately, hard working wife and momSweeney was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Sweeney, her husband John, and their "cheerleaders," daughters Dana, Rachel and Ashley, have vowed to fight it together. Sweeney credits the Fab 5 with teaching her that it's okay to ask for help when you need it, and she has relied on the support of her friends and community during her recovery. She says the Fab 5 taught her the most about self-care — and gave her routines she been able to maintain. Sweeney has stayed in touch with many of her fellow Philly heroes, such as Dr. Lilly and the Tlacopilco Family.

Marcos Tlacopilco (Season 5, Episode 8)

Tlacopilco's restaurant Alma del Mar, which Berk renovated, has opened. It's currently serving up Mexican American–inspired breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the restaurant has recently partnered with Independence Blue Cross to share the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr. Lilly Yi (Season 5, Episode 9)

Since Season 5 filming wrapped in 2019, Yi has had another child, a daughter named Scarlett. She's also still been rocking Queer Eye fashion tricks and got to spend some well-deserved downtime with her family during quarantine. Unfortunately, her father passed away in June after a two-year battle with cancer.

Nate McIntyre (Season 5, Episode 10)

McIntyre and ex-girlfriend Kristin (with whom he appeared to rekindle things at the end of his episode) are not together — in fact, he says she's engaged to someone else. But Bodyrock Bootcamp has been thriving, teaching virtual and outdoor exercise classes during the pandemic and setting up in-person community workouts. McIntyre also recently got a dog named Dutchie.

Terri White (Season 6, Episode 1)

White is still tearing it up nightly on the Broken Spoke dance floor. The family is determined to carry on her father's legacy, and the Spoke just celebrated their 57th anniversary. White credits Karamo with saving her relationship with her adult daughters — their communication has improved ten-fold and they are closer than ever before. She's also maintained her new natural hairdo.

Angel Flores (Season 6, Episode 2)

After an emotional reunion with her father on the show, Flores is doing well — she just spent her first Thanksgiving with him since her transition began. Her dad is continuing to educate himself and be accepting of Angel. She's still with girlfriend Katia Pineda, competing in powerlifting competitions and diligently taking France's fashion advice (and that includes wearing something besides gym clothes).

Josh Eilers (Season 6, Episode 3)

Eiler's cattle ranching business is on the up and up. He's currently working on a top-secret expansion plan, and 2022 is set to be his biggest year ever. In other news, his love life has taken a tremendous turn. Josh is head-over-heels in love and newly engaged to a woman who also works in the cattle industry. The Fab 5 taught him that people's needs are more important than cows, and he wakes up each day with that at the top of his mind. He credits the guys with opening his heart and mind to the struggles of those who may live a different lifestyle than he does.

Navarro Early College High School (Season 6, Episode 4)

The Navarro Early College High School kids are going places:

• Bryan took a semester off to start a moving and delivery company with his father. He also coaches soccer for FC Westlake, and, during his free time, he makes short films for social media.

• Emi is studying animation at Sam Houston State University, while also working as part of the Spanish music station on-campus.

• Arely took a semester off to work, focus on herself, and write. In March, she will be one of 50 student authors who worked with the Freedom Writers Foundation and Penguin Random House in an upcoming book, "Dear Freedom Writer— Stories of Hardship and Hope from the Next Generation" coming out on March 29, 2022.

• Diego is studying African and African Diaspora Studies and investigating undergrad research at UT Austin. In his free time, he's still making music and working to expand his reach.

• Mari is focusing on her self-growth. She just bought a camera and is investing in her dream to be a photographer and music video director.

• Emilio is pursuing his studies in nursing at St. Edward's — though he hasn't let that stop him from exploring new food spots around campus.

• Ali changed her major from Journalism to pre-veterinary medicine at LSU. Now, she splits her time between her studies and coming home to spend time with family and friends.

And Miss Tara? She's still teaching at Navarro Early College High School, and recently she even guessed Bobby's identity on The Masked Singer.

Todd Maddox (Season 6, Episode 5)

All is well at Plooky's Cajun Boiling Pot — customers love the renovation and Jodie's new gumbo is so popular, they often sell out! Maddox also hired a young kid to help build the restaurant's social media, so give them a follow, won't you?

Dr. Jereka Thomas-Hockaday (Season 6, Episode 6)

Wallace-Griner's Safe in Austin nonprofit has been continuing its work rescuing animals with its new barn. According to the ranch, the barn is home to events like Pancakes and Piggies and meet-and-greets with local schools. It doesn't look as if she's slowing down, but did we really expect her to?

Chris Baker (Season 6, Episode 8)

When we met Baker, he wasn't taking care of himself and was instead focusing all his energy on his nonprofit. Now he's wearing some of the bold shirts France picked out for him, maintaining Van Ness' haircut and still helping build up the Esperanza Community.

Sarah Lim (Season 6, Episode 9)

Lim has taken the Fab 5's advice to make OMG Squee, her Asian American bakery, the best it can be. She's cut down the bakery's hours "to make life a little easier on ourselves" and has put up flyers looking for more staff. The bakery isn't shipping nationwide yet, but we can't wait to get our hands on those donuts very, very soon.

Reginald DeVore Jr., aka BlackLight (Season 6, Episode 10)

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Source: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/where-are-all-the-queer-eye-heroes-now

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