Want to know how to sign up for “Queer Eye?” Look no further — let’s get into it.
In 2003, creators David Collins, Michael Williams, and David Metzler debuted their Bravo hit Queer Eye. The reality phenomenon, which aired until 2007, chronicled a five-person team of gay experts who set out to “revamp” different participants’ lifestyles through food, fashion, and everything in between. “Queer Eye” originally featured Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley, and Jai Rodriguez as the show’s famous “Fab Five.”
Initially marketed as “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” the episodic production became an instant success, bringing in its first Emmy Award for ‘Outstanding Reality Program’ in 2004. Over a decade after its conclusion, “Queer Eye” saw a reboot in 2018 on Netflix.
“It’s no longer ‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’; it’s ‘Queer Eye,'” Collins told Deadline in a 2018 interview about the comeback. “And ‘Queer Eye’ can apply to men, women, families, couples—the works.”
He added, “This wasn’t just a reboot of a series, but an opportunity to bring back the brand and the storytelling in a new way—and what an amazing opportunity presented itself, to be able to stream this unscripted show globally to the Netflix audience.”
The revival of the makeover series starred a fan-favorite cast: Antoni Porowski (food/wine), Bobby Berk (interior design), Jonathan Van Ness (grooming/self-care), Karamo Brown (culture/relationships), and Tan France (personal styling). An eighth season of the new-and-improved “Queer Eye” — filmed in New Orleans — premiered this past January.
Out of a whopping total of 30+ nominations, 2023 earned “Queer Eye” its 11th Emmy win (overall) for “Outstanding Structured Reality Program.” Amid the success, it was announced that Berk would not be returning for the forthcoming ninth season. Instead, home organizer Jeremiah Brent would serve as his replacement. Reportedly, the crew headed to Las Vegas for this run.
Surely, many candidate hopefuls may desire expertise from the “Fab Five.” So, if you’re interested in being considered by “Queer Eye,” here’s what we know.
How to Sign Up for Queer Eye — The Casting Process
Currently, details about the show’s submission protocols are limited. Back in December 2023, a flyer promoting the open call for Season 9 had been floating around social media, but according to Backstage.com, the portal closed in March.
The ad, by casting director Jessica Jorgensen, listed: “We are on the lookout for individuals, couples, families, friends, and coworkers who could genuinely benefit from a transformative experience with our renowned Fab 5 – experts in fashion, interior design, grooming, food, and culture. If you know of anyone deserving of a life-changing ‘make-better,’ I would love to hear from you.”
But… of course, the posting posed questions for potential Heroes, as the series refers to the applicants.
What Are the Qualifications for Queer Eye?
- Individuals 18 years or older
- Someone authentic and transparent
- A resident of the US, Canada, UK, or Ireland
- Stories that resonate with their designated theme/audience
In a 2023 article on Business Insider, “Queer Eye” casting scout Ally Capriotti Grant shared exclusives on what sign-ups should keep in mind.
“Once we land on the location, we research the city to answer questions like, ‘What food is it known for? What are its sports teams? What is the city known for in general?'” she expressed to the outlet. “We think about the stories we want to tell about the city, and we look for heroes with stories that will resonate, are timely, and inspire.”
Capriotti furthered: “We look for people who are real and aren’t playing a part. Our number one priority is to find people who are willing to be vulnerable, are open to a transformation, and are ready for a change in their lives. We always say that instead of giving a ‘makeover,’ we’re giving a ‘make better.'”
So… How to Sign Up for Queer Eye Again?
As noted by ITV America, the company behind “Queer Eye”/Netflix, fans must send in their nominations to a specific virtual location and provide some information about themselves. This is what you’ll need:
- Write a short essay about your story
- Attach a few photos of yourself
- Email it to qecasting@itv.com
The above photo was for the approaching season, but it can be assumed that the same rules will apply moving forward.
Additionally, there’s a site called Netflix Reality that allows page viewers to submit video entries. Check it out here.
Did this help you learn how to sign up for Queer Eye? If so, drop a comment below!
