KARAMO BROWN PERFECTLY DESIGNED BY PAUL ZAHN step to take. Growing up there was TIES WHOSE STAR WATTAGE AND this constant fear that one of ADVOCACY WORK HAS EARNED my identities would get me THEM THE HONOR OF BEING hurt or killed. Not just being KNOWN GLOBALLY BY A SINgay, but would I be harassed GULAR NAME. Visionaries like because I was Black or be Oprah and Iyanla have shed hurt by the police? Would I be their surnames as they have harassed by someone who did helped people successfully navinot like that my parents were gate the ups and downs of livnot from this country? ing a fulfilling life. Now, there is However, he also used this a new addition to this esteemed The cast of Queer Eye Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, Tan France fear to begin his enlightenment and Antoni Porowski. Photo by By Kathy Hutchins journey with a very valuable list of trailblazers – Karamo Brown. The Emmy nominated lesson by honoring his identities television host became a household name as a part of the Fab and leaning on a tight knit group of friends to help him progress Five when the hit series Queer Eye debuted on Netflix in 2018. on his journey. As the culture expert, Karamo uses his big heart and background It taught me early on to not be ashamed of any part of my in social services to help reshape people’s outlook on life while identity and to also honor them - they deserved to be honored winning the hearts of viewers around the globe. Following the and protected. My best friends Ray and Trey - these people success of Queer Eye, Karamo added author to his resume - writwere warriors in protecting my identities. They were doing ing his motivational memoir Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purit unconsciously because they were young and going through pose, and co-authoring a best-selling children’s book with his son their own things. They knew if there were moments that I Jason ‘Rachel’ Brown titled I Am Perfectly Designed. Additionally, was unprotected - they would help. Karamo has also made a splash in Hollywood as an actor - reWith the internet readily available nowadays, Karamo encourcurring on the final season of Netflix’s Dear White People, guest ages people looking for “warriors” of their own, to turn to groups starring on TBS’ Miracle Workers and even appeared in Freeform’s like The Trevor Project or the LGBTQIA Center in their closest city. first gay rom-com, The Thing About Harry. Most recently, he sucAfter navigating a challenging upbringing, Karamo knew he cessfully launched his own line of grooming products called was destined to live his dreams but the path to this goal was not MANTL. However, Karamo’s journey to Hollywood stardom was always clear. His first foray into the world of show business proved not without a few bumps in the road. to be a pivotal moment in defining where his journey was headed. Born in Houston, Texas to first generation immigrant parents, In 2004, he joined the cast of The Real World: Philadelphia as the Karamo knew what fear looked like from an early age. Karamo first openly gay Black man on a reality television show. However, made the brave decision to come out of the closet at the age of 15 the lesson he learned from this experience stays with him to this and during the pre-internet years in the South - this was a risky day - intention versus impact. HOLLYWOOD
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