Karamo Brown focuses on mental health and family

Television and podcast host, reality TV personality, author, actor, entrepreneur, and activist.

There are currently two series being aired; queer eye Original reboot on Netflix Queer Eye for Single Menand the recently renewed daytime talk show Karamo, Karamo Brown is living a dream. His resume to date includes guest appearances on TV; dance with the starshas been a reality TV judge, public speaker, written a children’s book and memoir, appeared in a video with Taylor Swift, and worked with President Barack Obama with the Obama Presidential Foundation. my brother’s keeper Alliance and co-founded MANTL, a skincare brand for bald (or balding) men. But what seemed like a seamless career progression took an unexpected turn at first.

“I wanted to be on TV,” recalled Karamo Brown, who was born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Coral Springs, Florida. “I grew up in the era of MTV, and I would go home and watch it.” TRL (total requests live) I dream of programs such as But that wasn’t the reality. My parents were not from this country. we had no money. So the idea of ​​building a career in television was unthinkable at that point, especially since I had been taught to follow a more traditional path. ”

“Anyway, I was obsessed with daytime television, especially Phil Donahue, Sally Jesse Raphael, and Montel Williams,” he added. “And I wanted to be the one to talk to people. But it was a journey I wasn’t initially prepared for.”

Real World: Philadelphia

At a time when the documentary format was establishing itself in the reality genre in its infancy, 2004’s Karamo Real World: Philadelphiait was 15^th Mainstream edition of MTV.

“Before I was cast Real WorldI was actually protesting an MTV show. pimp my ride Because someone I was working with was stealing cars to imitate the show,” Karamo said. “Instead of what I know now, which is to talk to my parents to find out what was going on, I went to MTV to protest. I ended up getting an audition, but… Real World”

“It was a very quick switch from protest to audition, and it was a lesson for me to stay true to who I am and who I am,” he said. Told. “But both during and after filming. Real World I felt depressed and alone. No one is prepared for the initial shock of notoriety. There I was confident about who I was, but there were people who would tear me down because of my sexuality, my background, my appearance, among other things. You have to be in a mental space where you can deal with it. I wasn’t. ”

Historically, Karamo was the first openly gay African American man. real world.

“Most people think that reality TV is their ticket to fame and money. Sometimes it is. But for most people, especially when the cameras stop rolling and they are only remembered a certain way, it is It’s very difficult,” he said. “I think we should talk more about how we support people on reality TV. And we need to do more aftercare, which is very important to me on my talk show right now.” That’s the thing.”

“You can’t just flip a switch and the problem goes away,” he says. “It’s often time-consuming.”

Immediately after Real WorldKaramo participated in the Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Inferno II,Ten^th Season of the MTV reality game show. However, instead of pursuing other on-camera opportunities, he avoided appearing on television again until he was nearly in his 30s, instead working in social services. During this time, he learns that he is the father of a 10-year-old son, and is unexpectedly faced with his fatherhood.

“When I was 16, I came out as a proud gay man. And before that, a girl I slept with when I was 15 got pregnant with my child,” he says. They didn’t tell me,” he recalled. ”

“We always look at the show side, but there’s never enough conversation about the business side,” he said. “I had to step away for a number of years to understand that there’s a business to this. It’s not just partying in front of the camera and the things that come with it. I came back with plans for the business side.”

For Karamo Brown, step one of that plan was to return to college to hone her skills as a television host. There he learned about the Winfrey Network audition.

“Actually, they were looking for a white man and two women of color to host the show, and I passed the audition and sat in a room for three days until they realized I was I was told no until I met him,” Kalomo said. “I went to a consultation wanting to talk about mental health and family, and they talked me into it. It was my first job back on camera, and I added education to every project I do. We decided that aspects of it would be included. It’s interesting, but it also helps people understand how they grow and become better.”

Karamo then patrolled the following locations: access hollywood live You can also gain experience at broadcast stations like HLN and CNN. Eventually he found an agent and learned: Queer Eye for straight people It was rebooted on Netflix. Although casting was complete, Karamo’s persistence and candor about mental health resulted in what he calls his “first big break.”Then his syndicated talk show began Karamo From NBCUniversal, the veteran conflict-themed speaker served as guest host following his various appearances. morley.

“Maurey Povich left at the same time I was coming on, so people automatically assumed I was replacing him because we were under the same syndication house at NBC.” said Karamo. “And I’m glad there was that comparison, because it challenged me to prove myself.”

“As a talk show host, I’m not afraid to bring my personal life. I’ve been through it all,” he said. “So when people sit in front of me and have relationship issues, I tell them about myself. A good talk show host listens and also actively uses their personal life experiences. I look at my guests, I don’t judge them, and I have the tools to say this is how we can make them better.”

“Karamo’s direct and no-nonsense approach makes him one of the most authentic and innovative hosts in daytime television,” said Tracy Wilson, executive vice president of NBCUniversal Syndication Studios & E! I have established myself as an individual.” News in a statement. “In each episode, Karamo tackles a wide range of topics, often intensely dramatic subject matter, boldly presenting all sides of the story with the goal of getting to the emotional heart of the conflict.” We look forward to next season of his captivating show with his extremely talented team.”

Looking to the future

“My talk show will also feature a pop culture-themed segment. I have also received inquiries from various celebrities asking if I can invite their acquaintances, which is something we are facing. It shows that we are all similar people in the issues we face,” Karamo said. “As for myself, I continue on this production journey to sell both scripted and non-scripted shows. I create content that makes people feel good or entertains them, We want to help people grow.”

“Oprah has done this in her own way, which is great. But I’m dirtier than Oprah. Just because your life is a mess doesn’t mean you can’t grow. No,” he pointed out. “I’m ready for what’s next. And I’m dedicated to helping people through my work.”