Tan France of the hit television series Queer Eye has been busy with his new autobiography, “Naturally Tan”, and also with the show that shot him to fame. But even so, he found the time to join the rest of the Fab Five in Texas to film season 6 of the show.
For his work on Queer Eye, France has received several Golden Derby nominations, as well as opportunities in a range of successful side projects.
Tan France: Fashion retailer to fashion superstar
Before entering the public eye, France worked as a fashion retailer and designer. He worked extensively with the Mormon community in the US, creating “modest clothes that didn’t look modest,” he tells the Guardian.
“I learned every facet of retail,” he recalls. “I got contacts for factories, learned how to buy, ship and distribute.” His husband, who he met in Utah and has been with since 2013, encouraged France to take the audition opportunity that he was presented with after his work with the Skalla family (or the “Mormon Kardashians”) put him on the celebrity map.
Queer Eye skyrocketed France’s career in the fashion and reality television sphere. Now, he has had five seasons of the show under his belt, along with other projects in the public sphere. For example, he hosts a highly popular YouTube channel which includes fashion tips, cooking vlogs, and Q&A’s for fans.
- Cookie-ing #withme and Nadiya Hussain, from France’s YouTube channel
- Want to learn how to make your own face mask? Tan France has the video for you
- France is also often featured on other channels, such as this collaboration with Hasan Minhaj of the Patriot Act series
Tan France says “Queer Eye” has given him a chance to be the representation he never saw as a kid
“The show has given me more than I’ll ever know, and not just financially or in terms of fame,” France says. “It put me in a position to represent my community in a way that I had never seen. And, I’m not just talking about the gay community, I’m talking about the Asian community.”
Although France prefers to keep his private life private, the racism and homophobia that he has experienced throughout his life, as well as lack of representation in media, are some of the things that pushed him to accept a place in the Fab Five.
“I could have an opportunity to change the narrative for my people,” France tells NPR. “And so that’s why I decided to take the actual audition… I’ve got to continue to show that Pakistanis are wonderful people, that we are caring people.”
France’s parents were lucky enough to have what he describes as a “love marriage”, and he says that his coming out went a lot smoother than it could have. “Our home wasn’t super religious,” he told NPR. “But we had a profound connection to our Muslim heritage.”
Queer Eye focuses on makeovers, but goes beyond just fashion
Queer Eye premiered on Netflix in 2018. It features the “Fab Five”: Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, and Jonathan Van Ness. The premise is simple; the Fab Five give people makeovers, but not just a new haircut or wardrobe. They also makeover their home and at times, their perspectives.
“I just expected to get some free furniture, new clothes and be on my way,” says one of the past participants. “I never thought I would become more emotionally and mentally healthier as a person because of a reality TV show.”
Many participants have echoed this sentiment. The feel-good, wholesome nature of the show is a big part of its success, and in the midst of the pandemic the show is still filming, when we need this type of content most.
If you would like to be in the coming season of Queer Eye, you can send an email QECASTING@ITV.COM with the details outlined in this post.
