Strugz to func without Queer Eye in your life? Well, start stockpiling tissues, because the wait is over now that Season 7 is here. This year, the Fab Five are bringing some sparkle to New Orleans, where they’ll transform the lives of eight heroes — including a high school principal, a group of fraternity brothers and a Saints superfan — from the inside out. 

But the heroes aren’t the only ones who’ve undergone a transformation. Since we’ve seen them last, Jonathan Van Ness, Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Antoni Porowski and Tan France have all been busier than ever. From fatherhood and fashion shows to proposals and pomade, the design, food, grooming, fashion and self-help gurus have slowed down neither personally nor professionally. And, while everyone needs time apart, there’s nothing like reuniting as one big Queer Eye family. 

Check back in with the Fab Five below to learn about what they’ve been up to and how they geared up for the new season.

Karamo Brown

Catch Karamo if you can. The lifestyle specialist and bomber jacket enthusiast has continued to help people embrace their purpose, while manifesting his own dreams along the way. Since last season, Karamo has authored a children’s book, become a mainstay at awards shows as a regular red carpet host and launched his very own talk show, Karamo. 

But no matter where he goes, Karamo keeps the Queer Eye crew close to his heart. “During my talk show, I can tell you the first week I missed the four of them so much, because as much as we’re exceptional when we’re doing our own projects, there’s something very familiar that comes around,” he says. “I always know if I’m tired, one of these four will pick up the slack. You’re like, ‘Hold on, where’s Antoni with that little cute comment? Where’s Jonathan with this joke?’”

Getting back to Fab Five business gave Karamo the chance to be very focused on the mission at hand and “just keep getting better” even seven seasons in. “Every time the five of us get together, the intention is always, ‘How can this [hero] have the best time, best life?’” he says. “We have our ups, we have our downs, but no matter what we’re going through, we’re a family.”

Jonathan Van Ness

“I’m married now. I have five times the amount of animals that I had six years ago. Tan’s got babies. All of our lives have changed so much,” Jonathan tells Tudum. “But whether you see each other one week apart, one day apart, six months apart, we all know each other so well and it’s very exciting when we get back together.”

So what has this grooming guru been up to in the meantime? In addition to tying the knot with husband Mark Peacock, Jonathan has continued to conquer the beauty industry and beyond. But no matter what he touches — be it his own series, Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness; a new essay collection; a global comedy tour; or his sustainable hair-care line, JVN — authenticity and positivity are always at the forefront. 

Each season brings its own challenges for Jonathan, but the right preparation and mindset is “part of why it truly doesn’t ever get stale” all these years later. “There’s a very large research period for any season,” he says. “Truly, it’s a big load for me to switch that gear to actually physically get myself there.” Luckily, this season’s heroes were just as willing to put in the work. “People were ready to change the way they eat, change the way they dress. They wanted a big old haircut,” he says. “It used to be more of just a little tiny polish, but this time I felt like we were really leaning into big makeovers, and that was really part of a reflection of what we’ve all been through together in these last few years.”

Bobby Berk

There’s no place like home, especially when Bobby’s involved. As the Fab Five’s resident design expert, Bobby is responsible for turning each hero’s living space into their dream home — all within a matter of days. 

“There’s a lot of preparation because I have to know what spaces we’re getting into even before I see them in person,” he says. “All the details that make the renovation special for the hero come that week, but measurements, ordering, knowing if we need new flooring and those type of things are weeks out.” While each of this season’s heroes provided plenty of inspiration, the surrounding city is what made the season stand out for Bobby. “New Orleans was kind of a separate hero and became a character of the show,” he adds. “The other cities we’ve been to have all been amazing, but maybe a little bit interchangeable. New Orleans is not, New Orleans is so unique and so special.”

Since Season 6, Bobby has continued to focus on empowering others to realize the potential in their own homes. He’s set to release his first book, Right at Home: How Good Design Is Good for the Mind, next year — it’s filled with tips, tricks and expert guidance. He’s also designed a space-friendly collection with QVC, as well as become an AirBnB host for a sprawling Palm Desert, California, estate. Bobby lives in Los Angeles with his husband of over 10 years, Dewey Do, and their mini labradoodle, Bimini.

Antoni Porowski 

Hide your avocados, because Antoni is back in the kitchen. The self-taught food and wine expert has predictably been cooking up a storm since we last left him. 

In addition to hosting the baking competition series Easy-Bake Battle, Antoni co-founded his own pet food brand, Yummers, with Jonathan and released his second cookbook, Antoni: Let’s Do Dinner, the follow-up to his New York Times bestseller, Antoni in the Kitchen. But there’s one menu that’s taking up most of his focus these days: his wedding. In November, Antoni announced his engagement to fiancé Kevin Harrington after three years of dating. 

As for this season of Queer Eye, he couldn’t have asked for a better destination than New Orleans. “When you enter familiar, an environment where people are so deeply passionate and opinionated about everything, then I feel like you have a responsibility to honor whatever that is, if that makes sense,” he says. “That kind of lit the fire for me when I first got there.” The only downside of reuniting the Fab Five crew? “Mourning the loss of my quiet morning,” he says. Jonathan, for one, describes Antoni as Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada at the start of the day, joking, “He doesn’t want anyone to ask too many questions and just please be quiet.”

Tan France

“Every one of us pushed ourselves harder and harder to make sure that the audience understood why they should come back and watch after all these seasons,” Tan says. “It’s not very often I give us props, but I’m really proud of us.”

In fact, the style expert and fashion tastemaker has plenty to be proud of since we last saw him. In April, Tan and his husband, Rob, announced that they were expecting their second baby together. The couple are already parents to a 1-year-old son, Ismail. Tan also returned as a co-host and judge in the new season of Next in Fashion alongside Gigi Hadid, where he got to showcase his fashion bonafides and discover the next great designer. And, if that wasn’t enough, he also oversaw the chaos of the first-ever Selling Sunset reunion.

But nothing keeps him on his toes quite like Queer Eye. “It’s so easy after all these years to become complacent,” he says. “We are such a well-oiled machine that it would be so easy for us to say the things we need to say and get out of there. We do the complete opposite.” Tan’s work, of course, extends far beyond a simple outfit change, with every hero requiring careful consideration. “With a place like New Orleans, I know that I can’t really put them in clothes that I would put Kansas City people,” he says. “Understanding the environment we’re about to enter and understanding what’s appropriate for them is a really important component of my job.”