Queer Eye’s culture expert Karamo Brown has pulled out of several media interviews promoting the show’s tenth and final season, citing being “mentally and emotionally abused for years” as the reason for his no show.

During an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings on 20 January, Brown’s fellow Queer Eye experts Jonathan Van Ness, Tan France, Antoni Porowski and Jeremiah Brent were asked to address their co-star’s absence live on air.

King said that her team had been informed “less than an hour” before the interview commenced that Brown would not be taking part.

The news anchor proceeded to read out a statement from Brown, which said: “I hope everyone remembers the main theme I have tried to teach them over the past decade, which is to focus on and to protect their mental health/peace from people or a world who seek to destroy it, which is why I can’t be there today.”

King added that she had been informed by Brown’s assistant that he was “worried about being bullied” if he appeared on the show. In a separate interview on Today with Jenna Hager and Sheinelle Jones, Jones expanded on Brown’s assistant’s comments. “Karamo has felt mentally and emotionally abused for years and he has been advised by his therapist to protect himself and his peace by not attending,” the assistant’s statement read.

Brown did share a brief video message, which Hager and Jones played on Today, in which he suggested he was not doing interviews with his Queer Eye castmates in order to “protect” himself. “Just like the themes of this season, I’m modelling what I believe is most important, which I want to remind you all. Love yourselves and protect yourselves; that’s why I’m here at home, and not there,” he said.

During their chat with King, the four of the Fab Five were asked to respond to Brown’s comments, with culinary expert Porowski saying that to say he was surprised “is a fair understatement”.

“Our Queer Eye family, we’ve been doing this for almost a decade, which is pretty wild to believe, and families are complicated and we’re definitely not excluded from that,” he continued.

“But I think two things can exist at the same time, and while that is definitely true, we’re also here to showcase these incredible heroes that we have and really honor the legacy of this past decade of our lives and all these wonderful heroes that we’ve had the blessing of getting to meet and to have conversations with.”

An emotional Jeremiah Brent, who replaced Bobby Berk as the show’s interiors and design expert from season nine onwards, was keen to stress that his experience at Queer Eye has been positive.

“My experience in this group has been transformative. To see the way that they move through the world; the way that they have taught me so much about life and friendship and love. I have felt safe and supported by the people up here,” he said.

“I’ve loved every second of this thing, and I am so excited that we get to do this and share this next season, because the show really is just about highlighting the best of humanity. That’s really what it is, and nobody needs that more than this country.”

King gently pushed for a direct response to Brown, stating that she didn’t wish to “negate how Karamo feels”.

Van Ness, the show’s grooming expert, said that they had been “honoured to learn from Karamo” that it’s important “to meet people where they’re at”.

“He has taught people to centre what they need, and I’m actually really proud of him. Center what you need. Do the things you need to do to take care of you,” Ness continued. “I’d be lying if I [said I] didn’t feel like that sometimes, so I think it’s really beautiful. I think we do need to center what’s best for us sometimes. My hat off to him for doing that today.”

Queer Eye‘s tenth and final season is streaming now on Netflix.

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The post Queer Eye cast forced to address ‘bullying’ accusations from Fab Five’s Karamo Brown on live TV appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

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Pillion‘s Alexander Skarsgård has clarified previous comments he made around the film that led many to believe he’d come out as bisexual.

The 49-year-old actor stars as Ray, a dom biker who takes the doe-eyed Colin (Harry Melling) as his sub partner in Harry Lighton’s debut feature film.

At the Zurich Film Festival last October, Skarsgård discussed getting into character. He said: “I found that in this case, it’s not really relevant what my background is.

“I mean, I do have a kid, but what I’ve done in the past, who I’ve been with, men, women… To me, what was important was that this felt like an opportunity to tell a story about a subculture I hadn’t seen portrayed this way – with so much authenticity.”

This set the internet ablaze with people thinking the actor had subtly referenced his sexuality during the conversation around the film.

However, speaking to Variety while appearing on the cover, Skarsgård was asked about the comments. Appearing taken aback he told the entertainment publication: “Oh. That it resonated with my past? It was definitely not an intended statement. I don’t know what I was talking about.”

He then explained that he was trying to remove himself and his own personal experiences from the movie.

“Maybe it has to do with – there’s a lot of focus sometimes on me as an actor. Maybe it was trying to shift the focus more to the story and these characters. And the importance of telling the story like this.”

Pillion, which is out in the US on 6 February, follows the complicated relationship between Ray and Colin. The film first premiered last year at the Cannes Film Festival where it earned a seven-minute standing ovation.

In an interview at the time, the True Blood actor teased a “raunchier” version of the film. Skarsgård later shared how he and Melling shot “way more graphic” sex scenes than those that ended up in the final cut.

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The post Pillion’s Alexander Skarsgård clarifies sexuality comments after confusion on press tour appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Musicians including Kesha, Grimes and Shygirl have spoken out on the reality of major label contracts after trans pop star Kim Petras accused her label of “refusing” to release her new music.

In a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter on Tuesday (20 January), 33-year-old “Broken” singer Kim Petras stated that she had officially asked to be dropped by her record label Republic Records, a brand owned by Universal Music.

“I’m tired of having no control over my own life or career. I want to continue to self fund and self curate my own music. This is why I have formally requested to be dropped by @RepublicRecords,” Petras wrote.

The singer, who became the first trans artist to win a Grammy award in a major category with her Sam Smith collaboration “Unholy”, claimed that her new album has been completed for six months but Republic Records is “refusing” to offer a release date for it.

“My album has been done for 6 months but my record label has refused to give me a release date or pay my collaborator’s [sic] for the work they’ve done,” she alleged. 

Petras added that she also filmed a “self-funded music video” at the end of 2025 for her next single, but her record label “wouldn’t give [her] a release date” for it.

PinkNews has reached out to Universal Music for comment.

The “Future Starts Now” singer added that despite her historic success at the 2023 Grammy Awards, Republic Records provides “no support” for her music career.

“If it’s not a tiktok trend or 80s revival queerbaiting s**t these labels have no interest in supporting,” she added.

I’m tired of having no control over my own life or career. I want to continue to self fund and self curate my own music. This is why I have formally requested to be dropped by @RepublicRecords

— kim petras (@kimpetras) January 20, 2026

I won a grammy 2 years ago…….. the music is TEA. Still no support . If it’s not a tiktok trend or 80s revival queerbaiting shit these labels have no interest in supporting.

— kim petras (@kimpetras) January 20, 2026

She went on to promise that she would soon be releasing her new album, titled Detour, “regardless” of whether her record label supports the release or not.

Petras’s public request to be dropped by her major label has reinvigorated an omnipresent conversation about the difficulties musicians face when they are signed to major labels.

“Praying” singer Kesha replied directly to Petras’s post about asking to be let go by her label, stating that “freedom” should be “a birthright”.

“I spent many years fighting for the rights to myself,” she wrote. “Watching another woman realize that the ‘golden cage’ is still a cage isn’t a victory – it’s a tragedy we have to stop repeating. Freedom isn’t a privilege; it’s a birthright. I hear you, I’m sorry Kim.”

I spent many years fighting for the rights to myself. Watching another woman realize that the 'golden cage' is still a cage isn’t a victory—it’s a tragedy we have to stop repeating. Freedom isn’t a privilege; it’s a birthright. I hear you, I’m sorry Kim.

— kesha (@KeshaRose) January 21, 2026

In 2023, Kesha reached a settlement in her decade-long legal battle with music producer Dr Luke, after she filed a lawsuit in 2014 accusing him of “sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally” abusing her. Dr Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, countersued Kesha for defamation, claiming that she had fabricated the accusations to be freed from her record contract. Dr Luke continued to deny Kesha’s claims in a statement outlining their settlement, and both parties said they had “agreed to a resolution”. Kesha founded her own label, Kesha Records, in 2024.

Petras, who has collaborated with Dr Luke on some of her biggest hits, had previously said she had “a positive experience” with the producer, but did not want to “dismiss” other people’s alleged experiences.

In a series of lengthy posts on X, musician and Elon Musk’s former partner Grimes said that “every artist [she’d] ever met was in some point in a terrible label situation”.

“Very little effort is put into taking care of artists,” she continued. “We are expendable and sometimes I suspect they purposefully try to break the best ones so no one else can have them and they can steal their ideas and thrust them on to someone else whose dreams are so big they’ll accept the abuse.”

On Instagram, queer DJ and producer Shygirl heaped praise on independent labels for their treatment of artists.

“I particularly love being with an independent label because when the new music takes time it’s just because I’m living life and making music in the time I want,” she wrote.

“People love to complain about the cons of being with a major [label], you can’t have the pros and pretend the cons are a surprise. You know what your [sic] getting into by now…”

After fans called out Shygirl for “criticising” Petras, the musician responded, writing that she didn’t intend to “shade” the “Unholy” singer, and was instead pointing out that Petras is just “the latest in a long line of artists getting done dirty by majors”.

“Fans need to direct the energy at asking why people sign in the first place when there are loads of independent labels that support artists better,” she wrote.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Kesha, Grimes and more rally around Kim Petras as she demands to be dropped by label appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame has announced 10 new inductees for 2026, with Billie Jean King and Jason Collins honoured for their contributions to sports and advocacy.

Established in 2013, the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame celebrates the contributions LGBTQ+ people have made across the world of sport.

Alongside the new inductees, lesbian tennis legend Billie Jean King and gay former basketball player Jason Collins will be honoured with the Glenn Burke Award, which is awarded to those whose “courage and authenticity have transformed the sports landscape”.

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“These individuals embody the very spirit of our mission of the Hall of Fame,” chair of the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame, Scott Bova, said in a statement.

“Their contributions to sports and advocacy have paved the way for greater inclusion and have inspired countless athletes and fans worldwide. We are honored to recognise their legacy.”

The class of 2026 includes:

Maybelle Blair

Blair played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) in the 1940s amid World War II and only came out publicly many decades later, when she was 95.

The AAGPBL also served as the inspiration for the 1992 comedy-drama film A League of Their Own which starred Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty and Rosie O’Donnell. 

During a panel for the Amazon Prime series adaption of A League of Their Own, Blair said she “hid for 75, 85 years” and described believing something was “wrong” with her because she had a “crush” on a girl in high school.

Nikki Hiltz

Trans and non-binary Olympic distance runner Hiltz has won a raft of medals during their career, including a World Championships silver medal and several national titles, while also sharing their journey as a non-binary person and calling for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in track and field.

Bill Kennedy

Referee Bill Kennedy has officiated NBA games for more than 30 seasons and in 2015 became the league’s second out gay official.

Kennedy came out publicly after Rajon Rondo used a slur against him during a game. Rondo subsequently apologised, saying his comments were “were unacceptable and did not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community”.

Phaidra Knight

Women’s rugby player Knight has represented the US at international level for almost two decades and was named USA Rugby Player of the Decade in 2010 and inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2017.

Anthony Nicodemo

High school basketball coach and athletic director Nicodemo came out publicly back in 2013, and at the time said he was “blown away” by his team’s response.

In the years since, Nicodemo has been outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in school sports and education.

Ryan O’Callaghan

American football player O’Callaghan played six seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, and came out as gay in 2017.

He later said there are “plenty of closeted NFL players”, adding: “I think it’s safe to say there’s at least one on every team who is either gay or bisexual. A lot of guys still see it as potentially having a negative impact on their career.”

Robin Roberts

Newscaster Roberts joined ESPN in 1990, where she stayed until 2005, and publicly acknowledged her sexuality in 2013.

She helped expand the profile of women’s sports and in 2012 was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame for her services to the sport.

Rick Welts

A sports executive, Welts is currently the CEO of the Dallas Mavericks and has worked in the NBA for more than 50 years.

He came out publicly in 2011 and was the first prominent American sports executive to do so.  

Sue Wicks

WNBA player Wicks was one of the first to come out publicly when she did so back in 2002 and said at the time she could not say “how many players are gay… but it would be easier to count the straight ones”.

Dan Woog

Woog was one of the first high school coaches to publicly come out and has long campaigned for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport. He has gone on to write many books, several of which focus on LGBTQ+ athletes and his experiences in soccer.

The post LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame announces ‘class of 2026’ honourees appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Chloë Grace Moretz’s previous comments about the Beckhams have resurfaced due to the ongoing Beckham family drama that’s taken over the internet.

Moretz, who came out as gay in 2024 and is now married to Kate Harrison, is known for films such as Carrie and Let Me In. Previously, she dated Brooklyn Beckham on and off between 2014 and 2018.

And it’s this relationship which has come under some scrutiny in light of Brooklyn’s feud with his parents, David and Victoria, over his wife, Nicola Peltz.

In a lengthy post on Instagram on Monday (19 January) the eldest Beckham child made a series of claims about his parents. This included the former Spice Girl allegedly hijacking his first dance at his wedding, as well as the designer scrapping Peltz’s wedding dress and the pair snubbing Brooklyn and his wife.

As a result, people having been looking back to find anything to support anyone’s position in the feud. Among the search results have been a few comments made by Moretz about dating Brooklyn, and on the Beckham family in general.

Speaking to Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live! in 2014 Moretz was reluctant to confirm her relationship with Brooklyn. Asked what Victoria Beckham was like Moretz glowed. “She’s an amazing person, I really admire her work ethic. I love her, I love her line. As a family, they’re awesome!” the actress said.

Moretz added that the Beckhams “understand the travel, the sex scenes with random people, the crazy schedules”. In a later appearance on the show she said David and Victoria “genuinely are very good parents. That’s what matters most,” as per Stylecaster.

Reflecting on her relationship with Brooklyn in 2016 with InStyle, Moretz said dating someone as famous as Beckham was “horrible and weird”.

She added: “It creates a mass frenzy and they follow you in separate cars so you can’t just run around and share little silly and cute moments.”

In 2017, Victoria Beckham shared an image on Instagram of Brooklyn’s then hair style alongside an image of Dennis the Menace. In the caption she wrote: “That hair!!! @chloegmoretz what have u done!! kisses x,” hinting at no bad blood whatsoever.

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The post Here’s what Brooklyn Beckham’s ex Chloë Grace Moretz said about Victoria appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

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The co-owner of a York shop celebrating all things gay has shared a defiant response to vandals who threw eggs at the premises.

Run by siblings Xander and Claire “This Shop Is So Gay”, which is described as “a fabulously gay shop in York. Welcoming to everyone…except homophobes,” sells everything that is proudly gay.

It has more than 27,000 followers on Instagram, proving its popularity, but on Tuesday (20 January), Claire took to the platform to call out vandals who had egged the shop’s front.

“When homophobia runs out of ideas,” text over the video showing the front windows covered in the contents of eggs read. 

“Our gay shop’s been egged,” Claire says in a sarcastic tone.

“Eggs are expensive! Throwing one at a shop window is a choice, and if your enemy is a shop window you’re already losing,” she adds in a patronising manner. 

“Anyway, we’re still extremely gay – come on in,” she concludes, opening the door unfazed. 

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The post has been flooded with supportive comments, with one person joking: “Ma’am you missed the chance to say EGGSTREMELY GAY.” The shop responded: “Oh that would have been eggcellent!” 

A comment with more than 1,000 likes read: “How f****** fragile do you have to be to vandalise a shop just because it isn’t tailored to you? I’m a man, Anne Summers and Boux Avenue exist, you don’t see me egging them or smashing windows up because they don’t sell things marketed to men.” 

“Cost of living!! How can people afford to waste eggs,” a comment with more than 500 likes joked. 

Many other comments united in praising the co-owner for her attitude towards the vandalism, while customers raved about the fanatic items they had brought at the shop, and others said they would definitely be paying the retailer a visit. 

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

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