Why did 'Queer Eye' Season 8 stop filming? Fans worry 'carjacking' and 'cheap' security may 'threaten' cast to leave show
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: A series of horrifying occurrences on-site in the Crescent City shook 'Queer Eye's cast and crew, prompting a security change, a curtailed eighth season, and a threat of walkouts from the Fab 5. As rumors of carjacking and other crimes circulate online, fans worry this could be the end of the road for Fab 5.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the stars of Netflix's 'Queer Eye' nearly abandoned the season shot in New Orleans due to violence worries. The popular series shines a positive light on New Orleans people, but new research presents a more troubling image of the show's presence in the city.
The Hollywood Reporter discusses carjacking and attempted carjacking using 'Queer Eye' filming cars. According to the complaint, on July 2, 2022, five males wearing ski masks attempted to carjack a production car while personnel were unloading it.
Then, five days later, two people attempted to carjack another production vehicle, but were prevented when the passengers locked the doors. The perpetrators then took a 'Queer Eye' staffer from another production vehicle and fled.
Netflix increased security following both events, and the production team attended a discussion in their aftermath. In that discussion, 'Queer Eye' star Tan France allegedly threatened to leave the project if more security measures were not implemented, a threat backed up by his co-stars.
The Hollywood Reporter bases most of the article on unnamed sources, although it corroborated the carjacking and attempted carjacking claims with the NOPD. As reports of carjacking and production cost crunch hit the internet, fans worry that this may force the Fab 5 to pull out, especially after Bobby Berk announced that Season 8 of the show will be his very last.
On Reddit, fans wrote, "We get put in danger because of subpar security, then you cut our pay on top of that? I'd be fuming."
While another user wrote, "Oh geez, that sounds more accurate. No wonder Bobby wants out. As high profile queer folk I'm surprised heightened security wasn't the base line for all their productions no matter the location."
One fan observed, "Wow that's scary. This article really makes it seem like all security concerns were taken seriously but to me it seems like that was true only after every terrible event occurred. Reading between the lines I bet the cast and crew didn't feel as supported when it took many issues for them to install the level of security they should've started with."
A fourth user further commented, "It sounds like most of the issues stem from Netflix being cheap, as per usual."
Someone from the crew tried to corraborate the story under the Reddit thread writing, "We had a crew member get car jacked during mid day, and the Fab 5 truck was almost car jacked at gun point, hence the increase in security."
One Redditor also wrote, "Yeah, this isn't surprising at all. I feel bad for them, but this has been a HUGE issue as of late in New Orleans. Production should have been wary of this, it's not a secret that carjacking in New Orleans has been getting out of control."
Why did Bobby Berk leave 'Queer Eye'?
Bobby addressed his departure from the show as a "necessary one" in an X post.
"It is with a heavy heart that I announce that season eight will be my final season on Queer Eye," Bobby stated in a tweet.
"It’s not been an easy decision to be at peace with but a necessary one. Although my journey with Queer Eye is over, my journey with you is not. You will be seeing more of me very soon."
I’m so very proud of all of you! Being able to help guide you to find the best version of yourselves is something I never took for granted and never will.
— Bobby (@bobbyberk) November 13, 2023
Following the revelation, US Weekly said that Bobby was "asked to leave" the Netflix series "because he wasn't vibing with the cast".
"There were many challenges with scheduling [and] there was a loss of interest from Bobby filming the show," one insider told the publication.
"The network and the cast thought it was time to bring in fresh blood. His heart was not in it, and the rest of the cast started to resent him because of that."
Another source, however, disputes that Bobby was asked to quit the program, claiming the "decision was amicable". Bobby hasn't commented on the rumors.
What happened between Bobby Berk and 'Queer Eye' co-star Tan France?
The Fab Five attended the Emmys this weekend, where 'Queer Eye' received the prize for Outstanding Structured Reality Program, but there had to be more drama between Tan and Bobby. Both of them shared photos of the cast holding their Emmys, but neither tagged the other, and Tan neatly avoided posting any photos with Bobby in them.
Bobby unfollowed Tan and Antoni Porowski on Instagram, despite both continuing to follow him. Tan was also the only member of the Fab Five who had not responded to Bobby's departure post.
Tan then unfollowed Bobby on Instagram, indicating that neither of them followed the other. However, Bobby resumed following Antoni on Instagram.
Tan is reported to have unfollowed Bobby after he uploaded a season eight 'Queer Eye' announcement without tagging Tan. Bobby tagged everyone else in the 'Queer Eye' cast, only tagging Tan after the post had been live for a few hours.
Bobby ultimately tagged him, but not on his main account, but on his backup account, @shaded, where Tan hasn't posted in almost three years.
Booby and Tan did not tag each other in their Instagram postings celebrating their Emmy wins, despite tagging the rest of the 'Queer Eye' ensemble. Tan took the drama a step further by excluding any images of Bobby at the event, instead focusing on the rest of the 'Queer Eye' group.
When will 'Queer Eye' Season 8 premiere?
All six episodes of 'Queer Eye' Season 8 premiere on January 24.