Tom passed in March 2023 after a battle with metastatic adenocarcinoma at the age of 63. In his episode, the Fab Five help him reconcile with his ex-wife, Abby. They married for a second time months after filming, but got divorced in 2019. “We will never forget our beloved Tom,” reads his obituary. “He brought joy, humor, persistence, and love to our family. He is special to us, and we look forward to seeing him again one day.” The obit also added that instead of flowers, “Please watch season 1, episode 1 of ‘Queer Eye’ on Netflix and tell others about it in honor of Tom.”

Reddy is thriving as an actor and comedian, recently presenting at the 2021 Golden Trailer Awards. He is now sober and still talks to the Queer Eye guys, who say he’s a “completely different person” than when they met him. In an anniversary post about the show, Reddy wrote that his life has gotten “exponentially” better since then. “Having to take accountability and really work on my life has been rougher than living in quiet complacency,” he wrote. “But it’s been worth it. I have hope now.”

Culture expert Karamo Brown said in 2018 that Waldrop’s transformation was “one of the most dynamic changes I have ever seen.” Brown said Waldrop texts him photos of the hair routine that Jonathan Van Ness taught him, and said he’s now becoming more active and socially aware as a police officer. He’s continued to be involved with Queer Eye, recently gifting items from the show’s furniture line to a deserving person in his community.

Unfortunately after two and a half years of marriage, Brown and his husband, Drey, have divorced, though hasn’t quit believing in love. He recently bought a new condo in Atlanta’s “gayborhood,” and hired a decorator to give it the "Bobby treatment." Brown also recently overcame a cancer scare — the same kind that took his father's life — and has renewed appreciation for his health.

Camp has maintained the haircut that Van Ness gave him, and the kids have continued to use their grooming kits. In early 2018, the family moved out of the home that design expert Bobby Berk renovated, upgrading to a place with three bedrooms.

Porter has been prioritizing self-care, hitting the gym and reading self-help books. He traveled extensively before the pandemic, to places such as Brazil, Thailand and the Dominican Republic, and continues to work in real estate and home improvement.

Gallois has since taken down the website Brown built for his comedy. But he still loves to make jokes on his Instagram and Twitter, and has kept up the haircut Van Ness gave him. 

Though Holmes is not very active online, he and the Covington Fire Department seem to be doing well: In December 2017, Holmes became a Chief Fire Officer via the Commission on Professional Credentialing and is one of 1,300 CFOs worldwide. During quarantine, the station uploaded weekly videos on fire safety to connect with the community.

One of the series’ most famous stars, Mama Tammye continues to post words of affirmation to her nearly 100,000 followers. She interacts with the Fab 5 a lot: Recently, she received JVN’s hair care line in the mail to help with her dryness. 

Mahnken, who got engaged to girlfriend Shannan with the Fab 5’s help, got married in June 2018, according to Vanity Fair. Now the two are going into business together, starting a “Selfie Museum” called MugShotz. However, Mahnken hasn’t lost his passion for filmmaking — as an actor, he had a minor role in Stranger Things Season 3, playing a writer at the Hawkins Post. Shannan even got in on the action.

Loria Rico and his wife, Beth, just welcomed a new baby. To focus on his growing family, he retired from bartending; now, he’s started a new career in carpentry and construction and is own boss. Plus, he finally learned how to make pasta from scratch.

Vogelsang and Beth Penland, who broke the “Friend Zone curse” and got together at the end of his episode, are still together and living in Atlanta. True to his spirit, he’s still obsessed with Burning Man.

After the show, Jay sued his employer, the University System of Georgia, after he was denied health insurance coverage three times. According to Out.com, he won, and the state’s public college system changed its policies to provide trans-inclusive coverage and reimbursed Jay for expenses paid out of pocket. Now Jay is an activist, educating the public on trans care and helping run trans bodybuilding competitions.

Samiei graduated from Georgia State University in 2017 and worked for over three years as an analyst at Deloitte in Atlanta. According to his Facebook, he’s now a delivery manager at T-Mobile. He also recently became a homeowner, and while his home is a clean canvas, he says his time with Bobby will inspire his decor. In the coming year, Samiei will be working on his MBA.

Now a senior at Piedmont University, VanMeter continues to play music, and released a series of singles in 2019. And it seems the Fab 5’s efforts to help him socialize have paid off — VanMeter now has a girlfriend whom he’s been dating for over three years.

Though he’s no longer the mayor of Clarkston, Terry’s been pretty busy since his Queer Eye episode. He ran for United States Senate, dropping out in January 2020 due to fundraising struggles. (Sen. Jon Ossoff would eventually win the seat in a highly competitive runoff.) Instead, he ran for and won an open DeKalb County commission seat.

After meeting Hempenstall, a cowboy from the town of Yaas, Australia, the Fab 5 traded in his five-gallon hat for a new tooth and confidence. Hempenstall is still single according to his Facebook.

Since the show, Castellucci has kept in touch with the Fab 5 and her fellow heroes. She’s kept up a more feminine wardrobe (for special events) and has maintained her more cool-toned hair color. Oh, and her youngest daughter got married!

In an interview with The Pitch, Greene said since the show, he’s been using the wardrobe France gave him, which features “enough shoes for the rest of [his] life.” On a more serious note, he also said the show “removed a lot of things that kept me in darkness.”

Jones Bar-B-Q has been thriving since its Queer Eye renovation. You can get sauces, rubs and T-shirts shipped nationwide, and the restaurant boasts nearly 100,000 Instagram followers. Even Mama Tammye’s a fan!

Hitchcock has continued being a devoted husband and father. He’s also been maintaining his Queer Eye shave and meeting up with previous contestants for meals.

Since her episode aired, Guilbeaux hasn’t taken a breath. She’s now a model and activist with over 100,000 followers on Instagram. She has a girlfriend of over two years, Emma, and even received the funds she needs to pay back her student loans from Queer Eye fans around the world. She’s now re-enrolled in school and has a year left to complete her degree in computer science. “This was a dream that seemed impossible before Queer Eye,” she says.

Since the show, Jess has also maintained regular contact with her sister and niece — they speak almost daily and even do regular sister trips. Now, she and Emma live in Philadelphia with a dog, a cat and many plants.

When we met Elrod, he had lost his wife to breast cancer and was struggling to raise his two children on his own. Now he seems to be doing better — posting pictures of his sons, attending concerts and playing the guitar (saying the family band is “still a work in progress”). He even appears to have a new girlfriend.

Though Diggs hasn’t posted much since his episode, he told Rockhurst University that he’s made a point to implement some of the changes he learned on Queer Eye. He now gets out of the house at least once a week for something other than work or school and has been working on body language while meeting new people.

There’s another Blanco baby! Tony’s daughter Finley was born in early 2021. Since the show, he’s also heard Van Ness speak and cleared up why he decided to shave at the end of his episode.

Good news: Dooley has not grown out her mullet again. Instead, she’s been continuing her work at Quincy Senior High and starring in the Queer Eye Lego collab (she’s given two mini figures — a before and after). Van Ness has also flown back out to Quincy multiple times to cut her hair.

Hamilton and his organization, Disabled But Not Really, have continued to thrive post-Queer Eye. In March 2021, Hamilton was recognized as a CNN Hero, and the organization recently won $1 million on Good Morning America. He also recently modeled in NYFW (NBD). 

According to Screen Rant, since the show Stoner has been seeing a therapist to help with his depression, which he says has led to him being a better father to his daughter Lucy. He’s been maintaining his more refined image and has a new girlfriend named Amber, a plus-size model.

Winters has maintained the beautiful home that Bobby designed and has remained committed to her health. When she’s not running the Pythons Drill Team with Joe (one of her nominators), she’s getting ready to welcome her new granddaughter.

Yarnevich has been living his best life with his new dog Fab — clearly he’s still very excited about him. Since the show, he’s caught up with Van Ness while on a book tour. 

Munoz had a lot on her plate when the Fab 5 found her, and she’s still going strong — in addition to the Latino Arts Foundation, she creates earrings under the name Midwest Chicana Brand and has started a podcast.

Mixon has continued to be a dedicated husband and father, in addition to continuing his work on the Veterans Community Project. Recently, the nonprofit has broken ground on villages of tiny homes for veterans in St. Louis and Longmont, Colorado.

Though Moreland isn’t very active on social media, it seems as though he’s doing well, maintaining both his Van Ness haircut and his farm, the Red Barn Ranch.

According to Refinery29, Queer Eye inspired hospice owner Sakuma to hire extra staff at the center so she could have more time for herself. She’s spent some time back on the dating scene “looking for someone who can hold [her] hand.” Plus, she’s been keeping up with the Queer Eye community — she even met Mama Tammye in 2020.

When we met Kan, he was struggling with his identity while living as a gay man in Japan and dating long-distance. Now he’s moved to the United Kingdom to be with Tom, and the two recently got married. In his wedding post, he thanked Tinder for bringing the two together and the Queer Eye gang for giving him his confidence.

Since the show, illustrator Tanaka has continued to make art, which she posts on her Instagram. She cut her hair even shorter and opened her first solo exhibition in the Kansai region in early 2021.

While the recent events of the world have not allowed Chiba to take wife Yasuko on dates, they are still happily married!  He credits Karamo for helping them reconcile their fears of opening up to each other and for bringing them closer. Chiba permanently traded in his glasses and bland clothing for contact lenses and a colorful wardrobe. As far as his culinary skills go, he’s become an expert in cracking an egg on instant ramen!

Hepler, the gay pastor struggling with his identity at the beginning of Season 5, has implemented much of the Fab 5’s teachings: He’s maintained Van Ness’ haircut and, according to Refinery29, has committed himself to learning queer theology. He’s found a deeper community in his church, preaching online and working on renovations to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Atonement.

Stylish Pooch, Gray’s dog grooming and coloring business, has been so popular since appearing on Queer Eye that she’s added a pup hotel and salon in addition to her mobile grooming service. Despite hiring a team of groomers to help out with appointments, Stylish Pooch has recently been fully booked.

Due to complications from diabetes, Abernethy unfortunately had to have his right leg amputated from the knee down shortly after his episode aired. But Queer Eye fans around the world chipped in to help with his hospital bills, raising nearly $16,000 by June 2020.

Though Wanamaker no longer works at Mighty Writers, the youth-literacy organization where we first met him, he’s still involved with helping others in his community. He remains the Director of Development of the Block Gives Back, a nonprofit that organizes free meals, provides school supplies to kids and organizes anti-violence campaigns, and he may even run for local office one day.

Leedy is still hard at work with the Sunrise Movement, and even got arrested in October 2021 for demanding that Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) take action on climate change. Since the show, she’s moved out of the organization’s housing and is now living in an apartment with fellow activists. According to an interview with Grid after her episode, she’s also implemented a lot of the Fab 5’s advice, like putting a hard day off on her calendar and using Van Ness’ skincare regimen.

Dyer is still DJing down the shore. Sadly, he recently moved out of his Queer Eye house, but promised he’ll take the lessons Berk taught him to his next place.

Unfortunately, hard working wife and mom Sweeney was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Sweeney, her husband John, and their “cheerleaders,” daughters Dana, Rachel and Ashley, have vowed to fight it together. Sweeney credits the Fab 5 with teaching her that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it, and she has relied on the support of her friends and community during her recovery. She says the Fab 5 taught her the most about self-care — and gave her routines she been able to maintain. Sweeney has stayed in touch with many of her fellow Philly heroes, such as Dr. Lilly and the Tlacopilco Family. 

Tlacopilco’s restaurant Alma del Mar, which Berk renovated, has opened. It’s currently serving up Mexican American–inspired breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the restaurant has recently partnered with Independence Blue Cross to share the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Since Season 5 filming wrapped in 2019, Yi has had another child, a daughter named Scarlett. She’s also still been rocking Queer Eye fashion tricks and got to spend some well-deserved downtime with her family during quarantine. Unfortunately, her father passed away in June after a two-year battle with cancer.

McIntyre and ex-girlfriend Kristin (with whom he appeared to rekindle things at the end of his episode) are not together — in fact, he says she’s engaged to someone else. But Bodyrock Bootcamp has been thriving, teaching virtual and outdoor exercise classes during the pandemic and setting up in-person community workouts. McIntyre also recently got a dog named Dutchie.

White is still tearing it up nightly on the Broken Spoke dance floor. The family is determined to carry on her father’s legacy, and the Spoke just celebrated their 57th anniversary. White credits Karamo with saving her relationship with her adult daughters — their communication has improved ten-fold and they are closer than ever before. She’s also maintained her new natural hairdo.

After an emotional reunion with her father on the show, Flores is doing well — she just spent her first Thanksgiving with him since her transition began. Her dad is continuing to educate himself and be accepting of Angel. She’s still with girlfriend Katia Pineda, competing in powerlifting competitions and diligently taking France’s fashion advice (and that includes wearing something besides gym clothes).

Eiler’s cattle ranching business is on the up and up. He’s currently working on a top-secret expansion plan, and 2022 is set to be his biggest year ever. In other news, his love life has taken a tremendous turn. Josh is head-over-heels in love and newly engaged to a woman who also works in the cattle industry. The Fab 5 taught him that people’s needs are more important than cows, and he wakes up each day with that at the top of his mind. He credits the guys with opening his heart and mind to the struggles of those who may live a different lifestyle than he does.

The Navarro Early College High School kids are going places:

Bryan took a semester off to start a moving and delivery company with his father. He also coaches soccer for FC Westlake, and, during his free time, he makes short films for social media.

Emi is studying animation at Sam Houston State University, while also working as part of the Spanish music station on-campus.

Arely took a semester off to work, focus on herself, and write. In March, she will be one of 50 student authors who worked with the Freedom Writers Foundation and Penguin Random House in an upcoming book, “Dear Freedom Writer— Stories of Hardship and Hope from the Next Generation” coming out on March 29, 2022.

Diego is studying African and African Diaspora Studies and investigating undergrad research at UT Austin. In his free time, he’s still making music and working to expand his reach.

Mari is focusing on her self-growth. She just bought a camera and is investing in her dream to be a photographer and music video director.

Emilio is pursuing his studies in nursing at St. Edward’s — though he hasn’t let that stop him from exploring new food spots around campus.

Ali changed her major from Journalism to pre-veterinary medicine at LSU. Now, she splits her time between her studies and coming home to spend time with family and friends.

And Miss Tara? She’s still teaching at Navarro Early College High School, and recently she even guessed Bobby’s identity on The Masked Singer.

All is well at Plooky’s Cajun Boiling Pot — customers love the renovation and Jodie’s new gumbo is so popular, they often sell out! Maddox also hired a young kid to help build the restaurant’s social media, so give them a follow, won’t you?

Dr. Thomas-Hockaday has still been working hard at the Central Texas Allied Health Institute, which has been putting on vaccination drives and resource fairs. She’s also gotten into local public speaking events, showing her support for healthcare policy.

Wallace-Griner’s Safe in Austin nonprofit has been continuing its work rescuing animals with its new barn. According to the ranch, the barn is home to events like Pancakes and Piggies and meet-and-greets with local schools. It doesn’t look as if she’s slowing down, but did we really expect her to?

When we met Baker, he wasn’t taking care of himself and was instead focusing all his energy on his nonprofit. Now he’s wearing some of the bold shirts France picked out for him, maintaining Van Ness’ haircut and still helping build up the Esperanza Community.

Lim has taken the Fab 5’s advice to make OMG Squee, her Asian American bakery, the best it can be. She’s cut down the bakery’s hours “to make life a little easier on ourselves” and has put up flyers looking for more staff. The bakery isn’t shipping nationwide yet, but we can’t wait to get our hands on those donuts very, very soon.

Thanks to the Fab 5’s help, BlackLight has gotten back into rapping again, performing at least twice since their visit. Other than that, he’s been focused on being a dad, teaching his son how to change brake pads and taking care of newborn Stokely. 

Stephanie’s life has changed in ways both big (planning a wedding with fiancée Rachael) and small (every morning begins with JVN-inspired affirmations) since her week with the Fab Five. But perhaps most importantly, she’s learned to “embrace and not fear” her sexuality. “I’m now more comfortable being my authentic self in public spaces with Rachael and sharing our relationship and pride in everyday life,” she tells Tudum. The couple now have one of the few homes in their area that hangs equality and inclusion flags. 

While the New Orleans Saints will always have a special place in her heart (and her overstuffed memorabilia shelves), Stephanie says “fandom no longer defines” her, as she’s traded her jerseys for a new wardrobe that’s sent her confidence “through the roof.” She’s also been having more fun as a blonde. “I’m still embracing the hair and taking more pride in how I present myself through my appearance so that I’m always bringing my best self to others,” she says. Stephanie hopes to pay it forward and impart these lessons from the Fab Five to her community, adding, “This experience has changed my life and I’ll use the empowerment it’s given me to continue to grow myself, my relationship and the world around me.”

Life hasn’t slowed down for Ray “Speedy” Walker since the Fab Five came marching into town. The 21-year-old has been keeping busy thanks to social media (”My following blew up on TikTok,” he says) and IRL coaching jobs. Mostly, Speedy has been focused on how he can continue to tap into a higher purpose and use his story to motivate others. “Now that the show is out, I’m not nervous anymore and all the butterflies [are] gone,” he tells Tudum. “I felt like I really impacted a lot of people and that was just my goal. People have been saying, ‘You inspired me to keep going.’”

His conversation with Karamo about embracing vulnerability was a major turning point for Speedy, who says that the experience “taught me that by being myself I don’t have to live up to anyone else’s expectations.” Now, he’s able to show up authentically as himself (and in a certain floral-printed sweater), which has helped his struggle with social anxiety. As for the apartment viewers saw him move into, Speedy still calls the place home and plans on staying for another year. “It took a lot of pressure and depression up off me,” he says about moving out on his own. “I finally have the independence that I was seeking.”

Ultimately, Speedy plans on leaving New Orleans and settling in Atlanta or somewhere in Texas. But for now, Speedy is staying focused on bettering himself inside and out. “I just want to stay healthy and keep my head on my shoulders,” he says. “I want to move at my own pace and not anybody else’s.”

To learn more about what Speedy’s life looks like now, check out our interview with him here.

A week with the Fab Five taught Jenni the power of saying yes to life — and life has more than returned the favor. Putting an end to her years-long dating drought, Jenni met a guy that she “really connected with,” and they’ve been together ever since. “We’ve gotten fairly serious, he’s met my family and we are planning a trip to Paris for the fall,” she tells Tudum. She’s also decided to return to her work as a principal after realizing that being in school with kids is “truly where [her] heart lies.” Heading into this next chapter, Jenni is “super confident and committed to being a strong leader for kids and teachers and to not lose [herself] and [her] joy in the process.” And “the new boyfriend will help with that quite a bit,” she notes.

The experience has also curbed her habit of constant self-criticism and comparison by helping her see her beauty the way everyone around her does. Jenni credits Jonathan for setting the perfect example, adding, “I always felt like I had to be humble (or insecure), but he showed me how beautiful truly loving yourself, unapologetically, can be.”

It’s safe to say that Michael has turned over a new leaf since the Fab Five came to town. The urban farmer has learned to “give [himself] grace and to be kind to [himself]” by prioritizing self-love and acceptance. “I continue to present myself the way I want to be seen without worrying about conforming to other people’s standards,” he tells Tudum. “Doing this allows me to be my authentic self confidently.” He’s also made major career moves by pursuing his master’s degree in environmental law and is currently in his second semester at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.

As for his home life, Michael has developed a signature style thanks to Tan and continues to enjoy the new wardrobe — sans any soil stains. He’s also been flexing in the kitchen, where he regularly tackles recipes from Antoni’s cookbook. Oh, and now that Jonathan’s hair-care line is a regular step in his routine, his hair — along with fiancée Kaila’s — has never looked better. “Self-care and self-love have become more of a priority in our lives,” he says. 

As a caretaker to his brother Tommy “Doody” for more than 30 years, Tim’s world was forever changed when his beloved sibling passed away six months after filming. “I’ve had to learn to live life without him. I didn’t realize how much I would miss him,” he tells Tudum. “Life has been really hard, but I feel like I have the tools to make it through and am lucky to have the love of my friends and family (and the Fab 5) around me.” In the thick of his grief, Tim managed to celebrate two years of sobriety —  a major personal milestone. “My life changed a lot when I got sober, and having the Fab 5 come into my life after I made that decision gave me a chance to start fresh,” he says. Changing his environment helped Tim process painful memories and embrace a “new look on life to turn things in a new direction.” The same holds true for his diet, as the KISS superfan says he’s eating more intentionally after working with Antoni and valuing what he puts into his body.

As for other lessons Tim’s taken away from his experience, he’s making the most of his new wardrobe — if he can remember not to put his new dress shirts in the dryer. “People are so friendly when you’re dressed up fancy,” he says. That alone has pushed Tim to better maintain his friendships and seek out social situations he might have otherwise turned down. “I realize more now the importance of getting out and maintaining relationships,” he says. When he does wants to stay in, however, Tim is able to invite others over to his newly refurbished pad, now that he’s doing a better job at keeping his house cleaner and more organized. He’s even managed to contain all of his KISS memorabilia in just one room, leaving him plenty of space to entertain friends and family.

Working on his confidence both inside and out has paid off for Denton tenfold. He’s since been named the Teacher of the Year (on his birthday, no less!), in addition to scoring a workplace promotion as the dean of students. “It has been quite a whirlwind of a year,” Denton tells Tudum. While his new responsibilities keep him busy, Denton is still working as an athletic director at the Louisiana School for the Deaf and Visually Impaired. “I made many several changes and improvements in the athletic department and I’m still undertaking more projects.” 

Thanks to Tan’s sage sartorial wisdom, Denton now also dresses for the job(s) he has. “The biggest takeaway from the show was really to maintain confidence in myself and trust myself that I do make a difference,” he says, while also noting that he’s still very much a “work in progress.” But Denton has made major strides when it comes to self-care, including playing racquetball with his wife twice a week, which he says is now “of the utmost importance” to him. 

“Filming Queer Eye was one of the most vulnerable things I’ve ever done,” Alison tells Tudum. Now that she’s spent a week with the Fab 5, the former nun turned social justice advocate has learned to “see vulnerability as a strength” and “receive love, help, and support” from others. “When I’m a healthier version of myself in all of the ways, I’m able to be more present and to support others more meaningfully,” she adds. Alison has embodied that with her continuing work as a nonprofit consultant and social movement strategist regarding issues related to criminal justice reform, environmental justice, and  ending the death penalty, among others. Alison has also since founded a nonprofit called Mission Mycelium, in addition to writing a memoir touching on her experiences as a Southerner working in social justice and spirituality.

Nurturing her creative, religious, and professional passions has helped Alison step into her confidence  — especially after some counseling from Tan and Jonathan. “It’s still a challenge for me to invest time, money, or effort into physical appearance, and I have learned that it helps me feel better about myself when I do, even if just occasionally or in little ways,” she says. The confidence boost has also positively impacted her dating life, as she’s now more focused on enjoying her experience rather than overanalyzing everything. “I’m still single and on the journey of dating to possibly find a life partner, and [so I’m] thinking a lot about relationships, our intimacy needs as humans, and the importance of community and many ways of relating to each other that we have,” she says. And thanks to Antoni, she now feels much more comfortable in social settings like bars should she choose to enjoy a drink on a date. “I remain truly grateful for this experience,” Alison says. “I hope to inspire others to live a life of service and social justice that is spiritually grounded, while caring well for themselves and cultivating meaningful relationships to support them along life’s journey.”

Turns out the Fab 5 disrupting her life for a week was just the shake-up Anh needed. The professional chef has since left her job at the Bywater Brew Pub after being “motivated to really do something different” with her life.” Now Anh’s stepping out on her own as the owner of her freelance chef company Busy Be, while also operating pop-ups, serving up private dinners, teaching cooking lessons, and working as a consultant for other restaurants. “I have a lot more time for myself, and I am a bit more financially free,” she says. “I love the fact that I can pick and choose the projects I want to work on and just be sick when I’m sick and not have to worry about anyone else.” She’s currently hard at work re-inventing a classic New Orleans dish, crawfish bread — with a Vietnamese twist — in order to start selling it at the city’s famed annual jazz festival. 

Anh’s relationships have also never been stronger, as she’s now in communication with her previously estranged father. “When we do talk, there’s more connection now than before the convo with Karamo,” she says. Anh is still together with her longtime boyfriend Sam, and the two have found a new place to live since filming wrapped. “I took everything with me, including appliances and light fixtures,” she says. “That house needed a lot more than a fresh coat of paint, and it became too hard to live in it without central air and heat — and having to do laundry in a rat-infested shed outside was getting very rough.” Reflecting on her entire Queer Eye experience, Anh says she doesn’t feel “quite as responsible for everything” in her life, especially since leaving the restaurant. “I do still struggle with depression but I have a therapist now, and I’ve put a lot of work into prioritizing grieving my mom and healing,” she says. “I’m not ‘fixed’ by any means, but I’m a world away from where I was when the Fab 5 came!”

Since getting made over by the Fab 5, Sean has noticed that people interact with him differently. “There’s a gas station that I’ve been stopping at for years and no one has ever paid me any mind,” Sean tells Tudum. “After the makeover, one of them asked me if I was on TV and I replied, ‘No, why do you ask?’ And he said, ‘Because you always look so stylish, like you are about to go be on TV. I thought maybe you were a host or something.”

Sean, who played a wizard in the Tournament of Kings dinner show in Las Vegas for 13 years, struggled to find his identity off-stage after a knee injury forced him to retire. He often found ways to distract himself by prioritizing everything else — his wife and stepson, his students, home-improvement projects — before his own needs or health issues. Karamo helped Sean realize it’s okay to ask for support. “I’ve gone on to seek out a therapist to continue to work on the things that Karamo helped me identify. As a result, I’m starting to unlearn my ‘busy all the time’ and ‘I have to fix everything’ behaviors. I’m still a work-in-progress, but aren’t we all?” he says.

To this day, Sean also keeps up with almost all the lessons he’s learned from the Queer Eye experts — “Seriously, like, 95% of them,” he says. He says he maintains his hair and beard once a month, and that he even gets waxed regularly. “I never thought that the 20 minutes it takes to get ready and the few minutes it takes to pick out a cool outfit would make such a difference in my everyday confidence, self-esteem, and mental health but it really has,” he says.

“Since the Fab 5 came into town, my life has been sincerely enhanced!” Paula tells Tudum. “I have never felt so important to so many people at one time, ever! It felt like a week-long surprise party for me!” Turns out, a visit from the Fab 5 is exactly what Paula, a 63-year-old retired showgirl, needed to get out of her rut. She told Karamo during the episode that she wanted to “start dreaming again.”

And Paula’s dreams of a more enriching life came true in a week’s time — she just needed some encouragement. Paula not only received a makeover and a thoughtfully designated home workspace (where she can complete all of her sewing projects), but she also found her confidence again while performing onstage at Dita Von Teese’s burlesque show, Dita Las Vegas. “I found me in this whole experience after so many years,” Paula says, as she feels she had faded into the roles of mom, wife, and grandma over the years. “The showgirl experience back on stage was a ridiculously exciting, powerful, and exhilarating hour of my life!”

Paula has also kept up with the lessons that the Fab 5 have taught her, including maintaining her hair (which she gets done every eight weeks now) and keeping her home tidy and organized. “My living room has remained without clutter, and I'm always proud when a neighbor comes to the door and my home doesn’t look like a wreck,” she says. “And Antoni taught me how to use a Vitamixer which has opened up a whole new world of smoothies, sauces, and dips!!”

Nicole Owens, a 53-year-old notary public and part-time pizza delivery driver living in Las Vegas, was at a low point in her life before she met the Fab 5. By then, she had raised three children on her own after her emotionally abusive husband left the family after 30 years of marriage. Now, as her adult children were getting ready to move out, Nicole knew she too needed to take a big swing. “It’s time to let them go and let them be free, and it’s also time for me to figure out how to be free myself,” she says at the beginning of Episode 3.

After being on the show, Nicole says, “I don’t allow myself to become bogged down anymore. I have more confidence in myself and my abilities. I am prioritizing my healing from trauma,” she tells Tudum. One way Nicole moved forward was having Jeremiah get rid of the old furniture that she and her ex-husband had shared. Jeremiah took what was previously a house full of painful memories and reworked the interiors with plush furniture, beautiful accent pieces, and warm tones to help make Owens’ space feel like a sanctuary.

Nicole, who told Tan that her style icon is the Olivia Pope character in Scandal, also got a major boost of confidence by the sharp and elegant suiting pieces that he pulled for her new wardrobe. “I have tried to build upon and use the lessons I learned every day,” she says of her improved self. “My life has changed for the better since my experience with the Fab 5.”

By the time Billy Allen met the Fab 5, the 38-year-old former party boy had already lived through a lot — he had dropped out of school (and gone back at 25) and been kicked out of the military. He then discovered his calling as a librarian, and by giving back to those in need. The Fab 5 arrived in time to help Billy receive the Compassionate Cities Award for the City of Las Vegas for his community-driven work. Billy’s professional life may have been in order, but his home life was a mess. He wanted to revamp his style, his attitude, and his apartment leading up to the awards ceremony. “[I want to] take my life to the next level,” Billy said before the week started.

Since spending a week with the Fab 5, Billy has learned to give himself more credit than he thought he deserved. Part of why his home was in such disarray was because he had a difficult time seeing himself as a grown man who had evolved and matured from his troubled youth — it was time Allen took ownership of his life and his accomplishments. “The biggest takeaway from my experience is showing love to myself. I shouldn’t be ashamed of my past because it helped me get to this point. Showing self-care for myself is something that I take pride in,” Billy tells Tudum. He has continued to maintain his renovated apartment and taught himself to cook (which he didn’t do before). He also has more agency in how he dresses and presents himself.

“The Fab 5 are incredible people who have impacted my life in a great way,” Billy says. “My confidence is through the roof!”

The Fab 5 was given a unique task when it came to hero Alexis. Instead of the usual makeover of a subject, the experts helped organize a wedding for Alexis and her partner, Kevin. After being engaged for two years, the couple decided it was time to get married — and quickly — because Alexis wanted her father, who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, to walk her down the aisle. 

The Fab 5 worked their magic to pull off a wedding in a week’s time: Jeremiah secured the venue and decorations, Jonathan handled the beauty and grooming, Antoni masterminded the catering, Tan styled the couple in glamorously unconventional outfits, and Karamo (who also officiated) assured the couple that they’re on the right path. “We [learned that we] want to be the best versions of ourselves so that our daughter, Olive, knows the possibilities are endless,” Alexis tells Tudum.

The intimate wedding was attended by the couple’s loved ones, including baby Olive, and Alexis says the nuptials brought everyone closer together. “We are enjoying every second of our little family and I would 10/10 recommend married life,” she says. “After experiencing such a beautiful event with everyone and my father by my side, I would relive it a hundred thousand times if I could.”

For Mother’s Day, Jen’ya Reynolds’ grade-school daughter Kemora nominated her hardworking, 33-year-old single mom for Queer Eye as a gesture of gratitude. Kemora, who always feels loved and supported, wanted her mom to feel the same way — even when life-altering curveballs knocked them off a stable path. (Since filming, Jen’ya has landed a new job and now has a steady income.) “I finally feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Jen’ya tells Tudum of her experience. “For so long I felt like I was drowning in deep sorrow and grief, but since my week with the Fab 5, I received so much encouragement, love, and hugs. Overall, I feel empowered.”

Jen’ya, who had admitted to Tan and JVN that she had stopped looking in the mirror, overcame some of her self-doubt and fears. A stylish, professional-leaning wardrobe and a makeover surely helped, but Jen’ya also worked with Karamo to find inner love and acceptance for a much-needed boost of confidence. “My biggest takeaway is that no matter what I go through, [I should] never forget that I am important, I am worthy, I am beautiful, and I am somebody! Bye-bye, low self-esteem!” she says. 

The Fab 5’s visit left a lasting impression on Jen’ya, who says she’s kept up with all the lessons she’s learned from the experts. She not only treats herself to monthly facials, but she also recently started eating healthier and now works with a personal trainer and sees a therapist. “My daughter Kemora likes to refer to our apartment as a ‘mini mansion’ — it’s so peaceful, so serene, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the life-changing experience,” Jen’ya writes to Tudum. “I love the Fab 5 so much and I’m crying happy tears writing this lol.”

“I’m still in awe over the house,” Nick tells Tudum. The father of five has been “militant” about keeping his home clutter-free since Jeremiah transformed it. Nick even uses Antoni’s breathing exercises to communicate when it’s time for chores. “Yelling doesn’t do nothing but raise blood pressure,” he laughs. It helps that his kids aren’t teasing him as much for his fashion sense after he bought a few baggy jeans thanks to Tan. 

The biggest change to his lifestyle has been going sober after an impactful conversation with Karamo. “I feel great, think better, and have been having a more intimate relationship with Vivian,” he says. “I appreciate each and every one of the Fab Five.” The new year also brings new changes to Nick’s business. The legendary Washington, D.C. tour guide says it’s looking “really promising” that he can launch the “adults-only” version of his tour. “I don’t think it’s a better time to launch than 2026, the 250th anniversary of America.” Expect more humor and fun facts from the “tour god” in the year to come.

Greg (aka Red Beard) still cusses like a sailor, but his grooming habits are far from those of a pirate. Since the Fab Five visited his marina, the 40-year-old has maintained regular beard trims and JVN’s skin-care routine. “It was a good reminder that taking care of yourself actually matters,” he tells Tudum. 

Part of that care is separating work from family time with his wife, Aubrey, and daughter, Rue (who continues to be the princess of the docks). “I’ve been much better about setting boundaries and being more intentional with how I spend my time,” Greg says. That includes saying no to his nautical neighbors when he needs a break, though he’s “grateful for the people who’ve helped me get to where I am.” 

Still, he has every intention to start Red Beard Marina Maintenance and has filed for an LLC. “It’s in progress and moving forward.” His next step is renovating the family sailboat. “We did add a new dodger, which has been a solid improvement.”

Don’t expect Mike to show up to school in anything but his “work clothes,” but the pastor turned US history teacher has kept a couple of style tips in his back pocket … or his button-up. “Tan taught me a trick to wear a tighter-fitting undershirt with an unbuttoned button-down shirt that hides the belly,” Mike tells Tudum. As far as grooming goes, “I take slightly more care of my beard thanks to JVN.” The 50-year-old also started cooking more for his family. “Antoni taught me how to make the most amazing swordfish plate, which I’ve made several times since,” he says.

Still, his biggest takeaway was “the wonder of relationships” — and that includes his relationship with himself. With some help from Karamo, Mike had a major breakthrough on self-love. “I said the phrase, ‘I’m good enough. I’m great!’ I know that seems so simple, but at that moment it was exactly what I needed to hear.” Karamo wrote it on a napkin, which Mike still references today. 

Mike has already played a crucial role in his students’ lives, and with the Fab Five’s influence, he knows his fellow teachers will have a home base for years to come. “I feel like I joined a family,” Mike says about his relationship with the Queer Eye cast and crew. “I hope to know them for as long as they’re willing.”

The Diggs sisters are “feeling wonderful and blessed by the best.” When Dorriene lost her partner of 40 years, she said her “life stopped.” Jo didn’t hesitate to invite Dorriene to live with her — despite the two sisters being “oil and water.” Since the Fab Five came to town, Jo’s granddaughter, Helen, says the experience has kept “hope alive” in their home. Communication amongst the sisters has improved, but Helen is persistent in urging Dorriene to open up, hoping she’ll connect with her younger queer relatives someday. In the meantime, the women are keeping up with the beauty and style tips they learned from Tan and JVN.