As Queer Eye prepares to take its final bow with the upcoming premiere of its 10th and final season, fans are understandably feeling nostalgic.
Since launching on Netflix in 2018, the reboot starring Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, Tan France, and originally Bobby Berk (later replaced by Jeremiah Brent) has become one of the most beloved queer shows of the modern era. Heartfelt, affirming, and culturally impactful, it redefined what queer representation on mainstream television could look like.
But long before Netflix revived the franchise, Bravo once tried to bottle the lightning twice… and it didn’t exactly work.
A Quick Refresher: The Original Fab Five
The Queer Eye phenomenon began in 2003 with Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, starring the OG Fab Five: Carson Kressley, Jai Rodriguez, Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, and Thom Filicia.
The show was a breakout hit irreverent, hilarious, and unapologetically queer at a time when that was still rare on American television. It ran for five seasons, ended in 2007, and spawned countless international adaptations.
Naturally, Bravo wanted more.
Enter: Queer Eye for the Straight Girl
Exactly 21 years ago, Bravo premiered its lesser-known spinoff:
Queer Eye for the Straight Girl
The concept flipped the original formula on its head:
- 📍 New city: Los Angeles instead of NYC
- 👩 New makeover subjects: Straight women
- 🏳️🌈 New cast: Four queer hosts including a lesbian
After a massive casting call that practically emptied West Hollywood, Bravo assembled a brand-new team dubbed the “Gal Pals.”
Each host had a specialty:
- The Look – Fashion & beauty
- The Life – Lifestyle coaching
- The Locale – Interior design
- The Lady – “Character building” (whatever that meant)
On paper, it sounded like a fresh evolution. In reality… not so much.
Too Many Queer Eyes, Too Soon
Bravo went all-in on the launch.
The premiere aired immediately after a new episode of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, and the original Fab Five were heavily involved in the marketing push. The network clearly hoped lightning would strike twice.
Instead, audiences just didn’t connect.
While the original series thrived on humor, camp, and playful shade, the spinoff struggled to find its tone. Critics including The New York Times described the show as overly earnest and oddly superficial, trying to fix deeper issues with clothes and vague self-help platitudes.
The result?
After just 13 episodes, Queer Eye for the Straight Girl was abruptly canceled.
And to this day, the show has virtually vanished with almost no official clips available online.
Where Are the Gal Pals Now?
Despite the show’s short lifespan, its hosts went on to impressive careers:
- One host became a correspondent for E! News and launched a successful radio career
- Another built a thriving floral and event-styling business
- One former model transitioned into film production
And perhaps the most surprising post-Queer Eye success story?
One of the hosts later revealed he was the original Mr. Six the dancing old man from the iconic Six Flags commercials.
Yes. That guy.
His identity remained secret for years due to a strict NDA, making the reveal all the more delicious when it finally happened.
A Fashion Faux Pas But Not the End
In hindsight, Queer Eye for the Straight Girl was less a disaster and more a lesson: representation works best when it’s authentic, joyful, and rooted in genuine connection.
Thankfully, Netflix’s reboot got it right and then some.
As the franchise prepares to wrap its run (for now), it’s worth remembering that even iconic queer shows have their missteps.
Because sometimes… things don’t keep getting better.