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Netflix’s show, Queer Eye, is a welcome reboot of the original 2003-2007 show with a different Fab Five but a similar premise. Since Netflix’s Queer Eye launched in 2018, critics have been raving about the positivity these five openly gay men bring to the screen.
Each of the Fab Five brings experience and a unique skill-set to the show, and Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk is no exception.
Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk
Bobby is the show’s interior design expert, revamping homes and workplaces to give show participants a fresh new environment to grow in.
But what was Bobby Berk doing before his role on Queer Eye? And, what else is there to Bobby that we don’t see on the screen?
Read on to learn 9 little-known facts about Bobby Berk that will fascinate you.
1. Bobby Grew up in Amish Country With Adoptive Parents
If you watch Queer Eye, you probably know that Bobby has a tough relationship with the Christian church. Bobby was born in Texas but moved to the tiny town of Mount Vernon, Missouri, situated in the middle of Amish country.
Bobby’s parents were very religious and he was raised in the church. As a result, Bobby grew up feeling very oppressed and had a hard time navigating his sexual identity as a teen.
Rather than letting others shame him into hiding, Bobby left Mount Vernon at 15 to live his full life.
2. Interior Design Was His Childhood Dream
Yes, you can pursue your childhood dreams! When Bobby was still in elementary school, he fell in love with one of Target’s home decor brands.
When his parents were away, he would practice rearranging and redecorating their home and began to develop his eye for interior design.
3. He Never Received His High School Diploma
We often hear that you have to have (several) degrees in order to make it in this economy.
Bobby Berk proves that with hard work and determination, the world is yours to claim. Bobby never received his high school diploma and found massive success in his field.
4. Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk Worked Hard for His Money
After leaving home at age 15, Bobby moved to Branson, Missouri, and spent several years living in his car while working at places like Applebee’s. By the time he moved to New York City in the early 2000s, Bobby only had $100 to his name.
Less than two decades later, Bobby’s net worth is now $6 million. While starring on Queer Eye certainly brought him success, Bobby was building his fortune independently before the show premiered. With a little personal finance know-how, you could have the same luck!
5. At 25, Bobby Launched His Own Business
After dipping his toe in the retail pool at stores like Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Bobby worked his way up in the high-end interior design retail world. He received a position with Portico in NYC and became the creative director. When Portico folded in 2006, Bobby wouldn’t let that stop him.
At the young age of 25, Bobby launched an online store called Bobby Berk Home. Within a year, he began opening brick and mortar locations in major cities around the country.
You can now find his full interior design service, Bobby Berk Interiors + Design, in Los Angeles, California.
6. He’s Happily Married
Bobby has been married for several years to a man he has been with for nearly 20 years. Bobby Berk’s husband, Dewey Do, is a maxillofacial surgeon.
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The couple lived in New York City when same-sex marriage was legalized back in 2011, four years before the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was legal in all of the United States. Bobby couldn’t wait to marry his husband, wanting to commemorate their love and openly share their relationship.
7. He Wants to Be a Dad
Are there any Bobby Berk kids in the picture? Not yet, but there may be soon.
Bobby and Dewey have noted in the past that adopting children is part of their 5-year plan. For now, Bobby is busy juggling the show and his businesses, which are thriving.
8. He’s Politically Active
You’ve probably noticed that the Fab Five bring up voting – a lot. That’s because, in the US, we’ve had a long history of voter suppression that targets minorities including the LGBTQ+ community.
In the most recent campaign season, Bobby endorsed Elizabeth Warren. Though she eventually dropped out of the race, he was proud of her passion and commitment to gender and sexual equality.
Recently, when the Supreme Court included the LGBTQ+ community in the Civil Rights Act, Bobby expressed joy and approval. However, he wants all of us to keep pushing for more progress by asking our politicians to pass the Equality Act.
9. Bobby Berk Almost Didn’t Do Queer Eye
That’s right, our beloved interior decorator almost turned down his role on Queer Eye! Why? Because Bobby Berk is a very busy man!
In fact, that’s why you don’t see him on the show as much as the others. When Bobby isn’t redoing homes and work spaces for the show, he’s off running his design business.
Bobby Berk of Netflix’s Queer Eye
We all love Queer Eye Bobby Berk on the show. He’s kind, resourceful, and has an incredible eye for design. However, the more you know about Bobby’s upbringing and path to fame, the more you’ll understand what an inspiration he is.
Looking for more LGBTQ+ stories, news, and inspiration? Check out the rest of these LGBTQ+ posts.
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