Queer Eye is one of the most beloved reality shows on television right now. Celebrated for its authenticity, the show takes viewers on a unique heart-warming journey with each episode, as the show’s hosts help to change the lives of those that need it most.
Undoubtedly, the show wouldn’t be the success that it is without these awe-inspiring hosts – known as the Fab Five. Karamo, Bobby, Antoni, Jonathan and Tan each improve a different area of the nominee’s life. The show’s fashion expert, Tan France, revamps participants’ wardrobes, in a bid to help them look and feel their best. But his transformations go far beyond just changing clothes. The style guru imparts incredible words of wisdom and some killer one-liners too. Here, we take a look at some of the most impactful lines from the show so far, with 10 of Tan’s best quotes.
"You being your true self isn't going to offend anybody.”
This quote comes from the Season 1 episode, “To Gay Or Not Too Gay,” in which the Fab Five help this episode’s participant, AJ, come out to his family and close friends.
Tan’s quote inspires AJ to live his truth, continuing, “It's very unlikely that people are going to cause you an issue just because you are being yourself. And if they're concerned, that's on them. You're happy."
"Style is not fashion. Fashion is not trendy after a season. I couldn't give a sh*t about fashion."
He continues, “Style is dressing the way that you feel confident and what is appropriate for you, your age, body type."
Tan’s job is to make participants feel the best they possibly can, discovering and appreciating everything they have to offer. Conforming to stereotypes and giving in to societal pressures to look a certain way is not a part of his transformative process, he just wants each person to embrace their individual style.
In the Season 1 episode, “Camp Rules,” Tan takes this episode’s participant Bobby to Target to buy some better fitting clothes. Relating to Bobby and his wife’s marriage, Tan says, “I’ve been with my partner for nine and a half years, he’s my husband. And every day I make sure my hair’s done, I make sure I’m showered, I make sure I’ve shaved.”
Tan touches on the fact that while improving your look and hygiene is not only vital for yourself, it’s also an equally effective way to show your partner that you respect them enough to make the effort.
"Leo has logo tees, logo tees, logo tees, and well… logo tees. He needs help more than most."
In Season 2 Episode 3, “Unleash The Sexy Beast,” the gang meets Leo, who has an overwhelming collection of t-shirts that he’s built over the past 40 years of his life. His attitude towards his style, in his own words, is, “It’s just clothes, who cares?”
Tan has a shocked reaction to the discovery of this collection, as captured by this quote. In true Tan style though, he takes the challenge in his stride and works his magic on Leo, compromising with an array of smart buttoned-down nicely-fitted short-sleeved shirts.
"There's no right or wrong way to be gay. No right or wrong way to come out. It's your journey, do it the way you wanna do it."
Back to the Season 1 episode, “To Gay Or Not To Gay,” Tan points out how important it is to live your truth. There is no right or wrong way to be you, regardless of sexual preference or identity.
All of the Fab Five guys have had their own personal hardships, and they want participants from the show and viewers at home to learn from their experiences and to achieve self-acceptance.
"I'm sending this memo to every guy in the world. Making an effort with your wardrobe doesn't mean you're a wuss. Making an effort means you're serious about the life you want."
Tan consistently drives the message home that men shouldn’t be afraid to want to look good.
While there can often be a stigma in society about men caring too much about their looks, Tan’s quote essentially supports the truth that it’s OK for anyone and everyone to embrace who they are and to love themselves, and if that means putting energy into your fashion choices and taking time to perfect your look, then go for it.
"I'm never massively concerned about what somebody is wearing, as long as it makes them feel really good about themselves."
Viewers are used to seeing Tan enter people’s closets in shock and dismay, but it’s not the clothes themselves that bother him, it’s the lack of self-care that's concerning.
As he gestures in this quote, he wants every person to wear what makes them feel good, and as with most participants on the show, the clothes they choose to put on their bodies are chosen either out of pure convenience, or used as a means to cover up their bodies, which is not what style should be about.
“It’s hard to make up for the mistakes, but you can make up for it.”
This inspiring quote came from the Season 4 episode titled, “Disabled But Not Really,” which centered around Wes Hamilton’s incredible story. A former “bad boy,” Wes’s life was transformed after he was left paralyzed from the waist down after a shooting. Since the incident, he’s managed to turn his life around for the better.
Tan’s quote stems from the realization that we often hold on to mistakes from our past, and by doing so, hold on to the person we used to be. That person simply doesn’t exist anymore, so the only thing we can do is to make sure that we learn and grow from our mistakes, and as Tan says, use our present and future to try and make up for them.
“Girl. Still. Got. It.”
In one of the show’s most popular episodes, Season 3 Episode 3, “Jones Bar-B-Q,” saw the Fab Five assist the Jones Sisters in taking their beloved barbecue joint to the next level by helping them mass-produce their legendary sauce, while also encouraging them to regain some self-appreciation.
With style at the bottom of their priority list, Tan assists the duo with their wardrobe in an attempt to make them feel better about themselves. Seeing them in their new look, Tan responds with this simple and supportive quote.
“I am beautiful. I am powerful. I am a boss.”
In the same episode, Tan provides this uplifting mantra, which we could all apply to our daily lives.