Ever since the revival of Queer Eye in 2018, Tan France has captured the hearts of fans with his stunning gray hair, impeccable fashion sense, and warm personality. As the show’s style expert, he’s responsible for helping people discover their sense of style, always bringing out the best in them with patience and care. However, since Tan’s role on the show is focused on helping others, viewers may not know much about him. So, let’s dive into 10 fascinating facts about Tan France.
1. He Almost Walked Away from Queer Eye
Queer Eye has been a massive opportunity for Tan, but he almost decided to quit before it even began. He told Insider, “I was going to quit before I started shooting because I was too scared of the pressure. Then, episode three, I tried to quit again because I was too scared of the cameras and, again, the pressure of being part of this community so publicly and having to speak for a community.”
2. Childhood Bullying Shaped Him
Growing up Pakistani in England, Tan was often the target of bullying during his school years. He faced racial slurs and accusations of being a terrorist. At one point, he even bleached his skin in an attempt to lighten it.
3. Fashion Runs in the Family
Tan’s love for clothes and fashion began at a very young age, thanks to his grandfather who owned a denim factory that produced Disney-inspired clothing. Tan recalls, “I was able to experience Western clothing like most South Asian kids will never have the luxury of doing. I was able to see how a piece of fabric turns into a garment that you will actually wear, and so I was privy to the ins and outs of the process.”
4. He Lost His Father at a Young Age
Tan faced a tragic loss as a teenager when his father passed away just before he turned 14. At the time, Tan had not yet come out, so his father never knew about his sexual orientation.
5. A Happily Married Man
Despite being a private person, we know that Tan is happily married to Rob France since 2007. The couple currently resides in Utah, where Rob works as a pediatric nurse.
6. He’s a Published Author
Since joining Queer Eye, Tan has added ‘author’ to his list of accomplishments. In 2019, he released a memoir titled Naturally Tan: A Memoir, in which he shares his story of growing up in a conservative immigrant family.
7. He’s Frugal with His Fashion
Although Tan has an incredible sense of style, he doesn’t like to spend money on expensive clothes. He told Refinery 29, “I don’t spend on fancy clothes. For events, I’ve borrowed fancy clothes, which is a normal industry practice. But I don’t feel the need to spend a fortune on clothes that I wear in my everyday life.”
8. He Retired at 33
Despite being busy with Queer Eye for the past few years, Tan is technically retired. After years of owning his own business, making smart decisions, and being frugal, Tan was able to retire at just 33 years old.
9. Instagram Launched His Queer Eye Career
Social media played a crucial role in Tan’s opportunity to join Queer Eye. Before the show, one of his business partners frequently featured him on her Instagram. The casting team from the show stumbled upon Tan and his work and decided to reach out for a video chat.
10. He’s a Skilled Cook
Although cooking isn’t his role on the show, Tan enjoys whipping up dishes in the kitchen. He learned how to cook traditional Pakistani food at around 10 years old, and by 13, he could prepare full meals for his family. He now enjoys cooking for his friends at least once a week.
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