Tan France on His Legacy, ‘Queer Eye’s Final Season, and Changing the Narrative Around Shame [EXCLUSIVE]
For nearly a decade, Tan France has helped people find their confidence one outfit at a time. As the style expert on Netflix’s Queer Eye, France became known not only for his immaculate taste but for his compassionate approach to transformation. As the show prepares to air its final season, France is entering a new era — one that stretches beyond style and taps into something deeper: dignity, representation, and the emotional weight clothing can hold.
From family to fashion: Tan France’s approach to identity
France’s philosophy on fashion began long before Queer Eye. “It started from infancy,” the British-American fashion designer tells Showbiz Cheat Sheet. “I have family members who live with obesity. I watch the way they navigate the world and how people view them. And I’ve always known that clothing is a tool. Everyone deserves to show up completely as themselves without shame or need for an apology.”
That personal understanding of how appearance impacts identity is what shaped France’s role on Queer Eye. For him, clothing was never about trends; it was about seeing people fully. “When I got onto Queer Eye, I just did what I’ve done my whole life, which is see the person first and foremost, and say, ‘How can I help you? In what way can I help you? What do you want to present to the world?'”
As France looks ahead to the show’s last chapter, filmed in Washington, D.C., he feels a sense of closure and purpose. “It felt important to be in D.C. for this final season,” the father of two explains. “We started out, gosh, almost 10 years ago, and there was so much happening in the world that was impacting the queer community. So it felt really important to end the show in D.C.”
Still, the show’s true power, he says, lies with the everyday people they spotlight: “Our heroes are formidable as always. I’m hoping that people will feel inspired by those heroes as much as they will be inspired by this campaign with Lilly, to treat people with kindness. That’s the main thing we do on Queer Eye: treat people with humanity and be kind.”
France believes clothing should never require an apology
That message directly connects to his work with Lilly’s Zepbound campaign, Changing the Thread. The medicine company’s initiative encourages people to share the personal stories behind the clothing they once hid behind. The exhibit, shown in NYC and featured online, features donated garments marked with messages from their former owners, reflecting memories of shame, identity, and ultimately, hope.
For France, these stories are powerful reminders: “Reading their stories… it takes me right back to how I felt when I was hiding.” The Next in Fashion host still has clothes from before he came out; “‘straighter’ clothes that didn’t really help me express who I was; they were actually hiding who I was,” France shares. “I keep [those clothes] to remind myself of what I felt and how I don’t want to feel like that.”
Zepbound, containing tirzepatide, is the first and only dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist obesity medication. It’s specifically used for adults with obesity, or those who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition. This injectable prescription medicine works by targeting underlying causes of excess weight, reducing appetite, and supporting long-term weight loss.
For France, the campaign resonated deeply because it aligned with what he has seen both personally and professionally. “I’ve helped people who really struggled with obesity and people who take Zepbound,” he shares. “It’s become part of the conversation, and it’s a conversation that’s getting broader. I love that people know there are options out there for them.”
France expands on this impact on the Zepbound website. “I’ve always believed that clothes tell a story,” he states. “But for many people on a weight loss journey, their clothes tell a more complicated story… one shaped by the challenges of living in a world where size can lead to bias and judgment.”
What’s next for Tan France?
While Queer Eye showcased the joy of transformation, France believes his work is shifting into something more intentional. “I’ve been thinking about what I want my legacy to be and what I will do after Queer Eye.… I think I have a much more pointed direction as I go forward in my career. I want people to really understand that I’m a champion of their success. I’m a cheerleader and an advocate for everybody.”
That next chapter is already beginning. France runs a production company and will soon start filming two new TV shows. He’ll work more behind the scenes, but stay close to stories that matter. “This campaign has encouraged me to do more in this space and make this a priority,” he says. “What I’ve learned is even greater compassion and understanding.”
With Queer Eye coming to a close and Changing the Thread addressing the stigma behind obesity, France’s mission remains clear: Clothing isn’t about appearances; it’s about identity. And it should never require an apology. France puts it simply: “I’ve always known that clothing is a tool… And everyone deserves to show up completely as themselves.”
To learn more about Changing the Thread and the stories behind it, check out Zepbound’s Changing the Thread campaign.
