With an overwhelming news cycle and the many stresses of everyday life, sometimes what you need is a TV show that makes everything feel a bit brighter.
Netflix hit Queer Eye is one of those things. It’s a show about changing men’s lives that involves dramatic makeovers. But while the men may come out of it with neater beards and a better dress sense, it’s the changes on the inside that make it so special.
Dishing out the show’s invaluable life advice is Jonathan Van Ness, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Karamo Brown and Bobby Berk. And while we’d love these five fabulous gentlemen to move to the UK and become our best friends immediately, it’s pretty unlikely, so instead we’ll have to make do with their pearls of wisdom. Here are five of the best.
Style first, fashion second
Looking good doesn’t always mean keeping up with the trends. As clothing expert Tan teaches each one of the Queer Eye guys, true style is about finding a formula that works for who you really are. He says: “Honestly, I don’t care about fashion. Style is dressing the way that [makes] you feel confident, and what's appropriate for you, your age, your body type."
Being vulnerable is important, as is skincare
One of the most flamboyant characters on the show, grooming expert Jonathan, is a walking advert for the benefits of skincare and self-love. While he’s got confidence to spare, he also knows the importance of letting your vulnerability show. He says: “You can’t selectively numb feelings. So if you try to numb the vulnerability, you also numb joy, happiness, connection.”
Don’t internalise prejudice
While Bobby is usually too busy revamping an entire property in a week to get much screen time, when he does, his contributions are reliably life-affirming. He shared his thoughts about internalising prejudice and what it’s like to break free. He says: “I experienced the hate and the ignorance and it’s scary. I started getting older and refusing to accept that. And refusing to accept the kind of chains that I’ve been having my whole life.”
Cooking for yourself is a simple act of self care
Antoni’s simple recipes show the Queer Eye guys that a healthy diet is within reach. Whether it’s fresh salads or a low-fat take on their favourite guacamole, he shows them that cooking good food is taking good care of yourself. He says: “You thought it’s depressing to cook for one. My goal is to change your mind on that. You can take care in making something easy as this. It’s just a matter of maintenance.”
Confidence is key
The show’s aim is to change the lives of the hero at its heart, and one of the most crucial parts of this is a confidence boost. Culture expert Karamo has the task of instilling self-love into the subjects. His tip? Start simple with some small body language tweaks. He says: "Stand straight, shoulders back, and don't forget, eye contact."
Catch the new season of Queer Eye on Netflix from Friday
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