10 years ago today, Bravo launched a phenomenon known as Queer Eye For The Straight Guy. The show tasked the Fab Five with the goal of transforming a frumpy straight guy into a cleaned-up, socially acceptable (read: girlfriend-approved) metrosexual. For five seasons Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez provided straight men and audiences with advice on everything from food and wine to grooming and fashion. The show was a huge success for the network, help launching a new era of Bravo that eventually led to Housewives and Shahs. Sadly, the fab five is no longer together (on TV at least), they are all still best friends. Whew. But what are they up to now?
Ted Allen: Then, “Food and Wine Connoisseur”
Now, Food Network star. After leaving Bravo, Allen became the host of Chopped, a reality cooking competition series. He has also appeared on Top Chef, Next Food Network Star and Iron Chef America.
Kyan Douglas: Then, “Grooming Guru”
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Now, age-defying sensei. Douglas hasn’t done too much following Queer Eye. He is currently one of the hosts of TLC’s Ten Years Younger, which transforms individuals to look more glam.
Thom Filicia: Then, “Design Doctor”
Now, design dominator. Following the success of Queer Eye, Filicia became a regular guest expert, appearing on everything from The Oprah Winfrey Show to Good Morning America. He hosted a few shows on the Style Network and is part of the HGTV family.
Carson Kressley: Then, “Fashion Savant”
Now, motivational host. Kressly landed his own show on Lifetime called How To Look Good Naked during which he helped boost women’s self esteem. He later became a fan favorite on season 13 of Dancing With The Stars and even shared the big screen with Heather Locklear.
Jai Rodriguez: “Culture Vulture”
Now, budding actor. Rodriguez said goodbye to reality TV following his stint on Queer Eye. He has since had minor roles several shows, such as How I Met Your Mother, Bones and Malibu Country.
CodeBlaze
Jai Rodriguez was on Days of Our Lives as sonny friend.
oilburner
That show was so stupid I. Hated it.
Kangol
Jai is really looking great these days, and so does Kyan. I also saw Tom recently got married. I always felt this was one of the shows the helped change straight people’s thoughts about gay people for the good, even if it did traffic in minstrelsy and stereotypes at times, and I’m glad to see all these guys are doing well. They did us a great service, and the show was a lot of fun, especially in its first year or two.
ToxicLittleQueen
Love me some Thom Filicia… his deadpan wit cracked me up. ‘IT’S HARRIBLE!!’ I wish him well with the new hubs.
Geoff B
Met Carson once. He came into a bar I worked for. Nice guy, good tipper, graciously took pictures with some of the other guests and was a lot more toned down and quieter than his TV persona.
Eric Auerbach
Love Ted. Too bad I was just jailbait when the show came out. Otherwise I’d have tracked him down and made him mine 🙂
Mr. E. Jones
Is Carson out now, or is he still dancing around his blindingly obvious homosexuality?
Merv
Queer Eye became so popular that it was also shown on the main NBC network during prime time, which was somewhat groundbreaking for the time. I can’t quite remember all the shows, but there was one night where you could watch nothing but gay-themed shows on network TV from the beginning to end of prime time (Queer Eye, Will and Grace, and one other). Lawrence v Texas was decided around the same time, and Goodridge (SSM in MA) less than a year later, so it was a rather optimistic time, before the main part of the anti-gay backlash during the 2004 general election, and following few election cycles.
Cam
@Mr. E. Jones:
Um….they were all out, that was the point of the show wasn’t it??
Spike
Nice to see that for the most part, Reality D-listers, stay in Realty TV.
DickGreenleaf
Jai had a small part in the film of The Producers. He was in the “Keep it Gay” number. Kyan briefly was involved with Queer As Folk’s Robert Gant. There was a little crossover on Queer As Folk when Peter Paige’s character Emmett was hired as a TV news segment “Gay Guy”.
zzQQzz
Jai was a nice guy but was not as culturally aware as the guy he replaced. I don’t recall his name but he was older (probably why he was ousted) and “black,” hmmm. I enjoyed the show.
rcs831
Carson Kresly makes me want to throw up. He is a complete embarrassment to the entire gay community. I know I’m not the only one that feels this way. I pretty sure he has a vagina.