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'Queer Eye' Star Karamo Brown Opens Up About The Backlash He Got For Defending Sean Spicer
Queer Eye culture expert Karamo Brown found himself being criticized by fans for complimenting former White House Press Secretary and fellow Dancing With The Stars competitor, Sean Spicer.
The backlash from liberal Americans was so severe, Karamo's son started receiving death threats.
Last week, the reality TV star was eliminated from the popular dancing competition show and told Andy Cohen on Tuesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live:
"I was robbed, I should still be there."
But the 39 year-old also expressed having no ill will towards the resigned political aide—who despite a complete lack of talent still remains in the competition—and opened up about their relationship during the show.
Brown said in an interview on BuzzFeed News' AM to DM
"There was no friendship [at that point]. I was just saying that, if we're going to be on the same show, I'm gonna have a respectful conversation with someone who's different than me."
Brown said he briefly met Spicer just after being cast as competitors for the 28th season of DWTS and believed he connected with him through "real conversations."
They talked about:
"how he affected the world and the lies that he told. How it hurt people. How it hurt me. It helped him to grow and see my point of view."
While unsure if the conversation would change Spicer, Brown said he hoped that a seed was planted:
"that can start to flourish. That's all you can ask in this day and age."
You can watch the full interview of AM to DM here.
Karamo Says His Friendship Helped Sean Spicer Grow youtu.be
After the roster of competitors for DWTS was announced, the LGBTQ community lashed out after Brown told Access Hollywood he was "excited" to meet Spicer.
"I'm a big believer that if you talk to someone and can meet in the middle, you can learn about each other and help each other grow. We have been chatting all day today. He's a good guy. Really sweet guy."
Who gave you permission, haters? #QueerEye's @Karamo is defending his fellow #DWTS contestant Sean Spicer: "He's a… https://t.co/Q6bA52qmnX— Access (@Access)1566428400.0
But fans were quick to admonish him for speaking highly of someone who was an active voice and professional liar for Donald Trump's administration.
@accessonline @Karamo Karamo - ❤️ you. But no. @seanspicer is not a good guy. He mocked every American through lies… https://t.co/dVWy6ytqlI— Suzanne Lindbergh (@Suzanne Lindbergh)1566445937.0
@accessonline @Karamo He’s NOT a good guy. He’s a liar and a Trump enabler.— Peter F. Jackson (@Peter F. Jackson)1566436397.0
@rgay @Principia @accessonline @Karamo I just don't understand how you can have love for someone who wants to destr… https://t.co/NUSyS8j28L— Small Screen Girl (@Small Screen Girl)1566482844.0
The voices of reason joined the conversation.
@thehill For the record, im a liberal and i have no problem with Karamo's opinion of Sean Spicer. The vast majority… https://t.co/VTt07VGSqK— Kelly Bot 5000 (@Kelly Bot 5000)1573072896.0
@thehill Isn't it supposed to be fun. Sean looks so happy doing the show and everyone has fun. Not everything is po… https://t.co/Cmbk6Q6q23— Angel McCoy (@Angel McCoy)1573091526.0
@thehill People need to relax and enjoy life. We are entitled to different political views, liking different contes… https://t.co/baCi5owZiy— Moodle Soup (@Moodle Soup)1573070740.0
@thehill Proud of you, Karamo!— Glenda Ballard (@Glenda Ballard)1573136959.0
On being ousted from the competition by voting viewers, Brown said that Trump has been endorsing the resigned Press Secretary through Twitter.
"Middle America watches the show and they vote for him. Our president, who should be doing other stuff, has been tweeting [to] vote for the man."
Vote for good guy @seanspicer tonight on Dancing With The Stars. He has always been there for us!— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1571056419.0
Brown also drew comparisons with Ellen DeGeneres, who was slammed on Twitter for enjoying George W. Bush's company at a Dallas Cowboys game.
In response to being seen with the former conservative leader, DeGeneres said during her opening monologue on The Ellen DeGeneres Show:
"Just because I don't agree with someone on everything doesn't mean that I'm not going to be friends with them."
Yes, that was me at the Cowboys game with George W. Bush over the weekend. Here’s the whole story. https://t.co/AYiwY5gTIS— Ellen DeGeneres (@Ellen DeGeneres)1570501531.0
The Queer Eye team got together to write the book Queer Eye: Love Yourself. Love Your Life available here.
Karamo reacted similarly to Ellen and in keeping with the book by stressing he will always take the high road when it comes to relating with someone on a human level.
"People were like, 'How dare you? Oh my gosh!' And I was like, 'Hey, if you've never seen me on television, I'm always gonna be the person to build a bridge.'"