The Internet is in Absolute Shambles Over Karamo Brown and Jussie Smollett’s New Romance

In news that can only be described as “I didn’t see that coming, “Queer Eye” star Karamo Brown and “Empire” star Jussie Smollett appear to be Hollywood’s newest hot couple. But let the internet tell it, the coupling is messier and more incredulous than it seems!

We told you that Brown has been in the news lately after recently divulging the behind-the-scenes toxicity he experienced from his coworkers while starring on “Queer Eye.” Smollett has been keeping a relatively low profile since his hate crime hoax conviction was overturned, opting instead to spend his time catching Broadway shows, releasing an album, and planning his impending wedding to his then-fiancé Jabari Redd.

However, after exactly one year, the engagement between Smollett and Redd was called off at the top of June 2026, with TMZ reportedly citing the “Empire” actor’s desire to “move on” and “work on his music career” as the impetus.

RELATED: Is Jussie Smollett’s Hate Crime Hoax Saga Finally Over? We Have the Tea!

Now, it looks like part of that moving on includes moving on to a new love interest, as he and Brown were recently spotted out at a popular Los Angeles hiking trail together. In several pictures obtained by TMZ, the two looked more than friendly, with Smollett even lovingly cupping Brown’s cheek at one point.

What’s more is that Brown also recently spoke to “Real Housewives of Atlanta” producing alum Carlos King and confirmed that he was dating a Black man who was a celebrity. Though he failed to name Smollett specifically, Brown did refer to his new beau as “his equal” and confirm that he’s met “the one.” He also described the man as a “great human being” and someone he could “100 percent” trust with his heart. (These are some big words for a relationship that logistically has only been going on for about a month if the timing of Smollett’s broken engagement is true, but we digress.)

Although Brown and Smollett may be basking in the bliss of their new romance, the news of their coupling has completely rocked the internet, with many expressing their shock and skepticism over this seemingly out-of-the-blue relationship.

“All of the unhealed and unhinged people Karamo deals with daily, and he decided to have one at home?!” wrote one user on X/Twitter.

“Two delulu stunt queens,” said another.

“This is a Tyler Perry movie,” one other user said.

Added another: “They must really think people are stupid.”

On TikTok, other users felt like Brown and Smollett may be a match made in heaven due to their respective messy backgrounds.

“To find out that he [Brown] is dating Jussie Smollett, who staged a hate crime against himself, is not at all surprising. I’m glad they found each other, because their public identities are both awful, and they both leave a bad taste in my mouth. So to see that multiplied by them creating a union is…evil destiny,” user Colin DW said.

User DearBear50 shared: “I’ve been Black and g-a-y for a long, long time. And one thing I’m not buying, even if it’s on sale, is that Karamo Jussie Smollett relationship. And if you’re Black and g-a-y, you know why I’m saying this…it’s giving publicity stunt for us both. Jussie Smollett’s scandal has been [done for] almost a decade; he ready to be back in the mainstream, main red carpets. Karamo, he just wanna be famous. He is famous. Fame is his game. Yeah, no. I’m not buying it.”