A Celebrated Win at the Emmys
Antoni Porowski is looking back on his journey with Queer Eye after the Netflix series scored another major victory at the Creative Arts Emmys. The hit makeover show took home its 7th award for Outstanding Structured Reality Program, marking another milestone in its run.
While Queer Eye has consistently dominated the category since its 2018 reboot, this year’s win was especially meaningful for Porowski. As of Season 7 in 2023, he and his fellow cast members—Jonathan Van Ness, Tan France, Karamo Brown, and Jeremiah Brent—were officially credited as executive producers. For Antoni, this second win as both cast member and producer felt like a personal full-circle moment.
“Congratulations to the whole Queer Eye fam,” he shared, holding up the trophy in a celebratory Instagram post. “Thank you @televisionacad for completing my bookends.”
Reflecting on a Life-Changing Call
In a follow-up post, Antoni went deeper, sharing a throwback moment that changed his life forever: the call he received in 2017 telling him he had been cast in the Queer Eye reboot.
“The morning I got this very call in 2017 would change the course of my life, how I navigate through and see the world & its people,” Antoni reflected. “All thanks to a group of executives and creatives who saw something in me I had yet to acknowledge.”
Before joining the Fab Five, Antoni had been waiting tables, taking acting classes, and working as a personal chef for Ted Allen from the original Queer Eye. Landing the role wasn’t just a career milestone; it was the start of a global platform.
His advice to fans? “Trust your mentors, your personal board of directors, and don’t be crippled by following a path you didn’t necessarily plan for.”
A Journey Filled With Challenges
Porowski admitted that his time on Queer Eye has not always been smooth. The sudden rise to global fame, the pressures of reality TV, and his own self-doubts made the road challenging at times.
“My journey to Queer Eye was challenging and one I’ll share about one day,” Antoni explained. “But I’d be remiss not to mention the advice given from someone very special in my life at the time: If someone is gonna get the part, why the hell not you? Go show them who you are. I am eternally grateful I did.”
That vulnerability struck a chord with fans, with thousands flooding his posts with messages of pride, support, and congratulations.
Love and Support From His Partner
Adding to the emotion of the moment, Antoni’s new boyfriend, NYC-based fitness trainer Zacharias Niedzwiecki, chimed in with a heartfelt comment: “Sooo f*cking proud of you.” Antoni replied with a heart emoji, sparking swoons across his fanbase.
The couple recently went Instagram official after traveling together all summer, and their connection has only added to Antoni’s glow as he celebrates this career high.
Looking Ahead: The Final Season of Queer Eye
Despite the celebrations, fans were reminded of bittersweet news: Queer Eye will officially end after its 10th season, which wrapped filming in Washington D.C. earlier this year. Netflix has yet to announce a premiere date, but there’s still one more season for Antoni and the Fab Five to inspire viewers—and perhaps snag another Emmy.
For now, Antoni is reflecting with gratitude on the role that changed his life, and on the fans who have been with him every step of the way.
“All things just keep getting better,” he concluded.