“Queer Eye” Season 2 lands on Netflix next week (Friday 15th June) but this week you can listen to my chat with one of the Fab 5, the show’s culture guy, Karamo Brown (full interview at the end of this post).

Some people say there is no need for “Queer Eye” in today’s society, that it is an outdated show. I couldn’t disagree more. This show is not just about physical transformations, it is also about transforming the way people think and starting cultural conversations that really need to be out there.

Karamo feels that this couldn’t be a better time for this show to be back because, “as a world we’re so divided, we’re just not speaking to each other anymore. So to have a show that’s positive and uplifting, and that’s saying, let’s figure out our similarities and not just our differences, is very important.”

Even though it’s hard to imagine anyway else in the role of the cultural guy, it almost was that way as Karamo was refused an initial audition. His agent begged the casting agents to see him. When he eventually got through that door, he impressed them right away with his attitude to the casting process. He didn’t see it as a competition, he was actually passing on advice to his fellow auiditionees, “I was helping the other guys to succeed”, he said. His kindness is what actually got him the part! He practices what he preaches – no better a person for the “Cultural Guy” role.

The chemistry the five have on screen is one of the reasons this show works so well. They didn’t know each other before the show but when they saw each other at the casting, they gravitated to each other. “Bobby even started up a text group called the Fab 5, before we even got the parts!”, Karamo said.

As much as they love each other, the audience has fallen in love with them even more so. They all saw their social media accounts explode as soon as the show started on Netflix. “When people say they’re liking the show, they’re saying they’re liking us – and that’s a nice feeling.”

Someone who really likes Karamo is his fiancé, Ian Jordan. They’ve been together for 8 years and Karamo knew that this was going to be forever and that Ian was totally committed, but he also knew that Ian was too shy to propose. “Sometimes in life we want the romantic comedy and we wait for someone else to give it to us but I said, ‘No, I’m going to make my own romantic comedy. I am going to star in it'”. With the help of fellow Fab 5er, Bobby Berk, he created the most spectacular proposal, and Ian said yes.

The wedding planning has begun and Karamo hopes to have all 4 “Queer Eye” guys as his Best Men.

So back to the show that has changed his life. What has Karamo learnt from it? “The biggest thing is not to define someone by the lables we put on them. Sometimes we assumes one vote, or your position makes you who you are, and we start to forget that we are all holistic people. We have so many different parts to of ourselves. And, it’s remembering in those moments – especially someone you disagree with one part of them – to not forget there’s other parts that you may agree with them. That they’re human being; that they’re family members; that they’re children; that they’re parents; and remembering that at the end of the day we all just want love and support – and I think that’s the biggest thing for me.”

And this is why Karamo is the “Culture Guy”. It’s not just about going to the theatre or art galleries, it’s opening your mind up to so many things. He imparts more of his great advice on season 2, which sees the game change again. There a a range of participants getting the “Queer Eye” makeover – inside and out.

I know Season 2 hasn’t even landed yet, but will we see a season 3? “We’re hoping people like season 2 enough to get season 3.” We’re all hoping the same. In the meantime, you can get your “Queer Eye” fix on Netflix by re-watching season 1, while you count down the days to season 2 dropping on Friday 15th June.

Listen to the full interview below.