Queer Eye’s Season 4 showcased even more of Kansas City. Between trips to the Country Club Plaza and the Crossroads Arts District, viewers got to know a collection of lovable heroes whose lives were changed for the better by the Fab 5.
Episode 2: Disabled but not really
Some Queer Eye episodes just hit viewers differently. Wesley Hamilton fits this to a T.
The hero’s episode chronicles his turn from bad boy into inspirational figure after a life-changing injury. And while Hamilton appeared to have completely turned things around, he still hadn’t completely escaped his past. Until the Fab 5, that is.
“The whole experience was exhilarating; seemed like it went very fast,” says Hamilton. “Every day had such an enjoyable and memorable moment that it still warms just thinking about it.”
With the help of JVN, Hamilton completely shed the persona that he’d quite literally worn even well past his injury. Karamo helped the hero face down his demons—and even reconcile with his attacker—paving the way for the former bad boy to fully embrace his new life.
“I learned that my true strength came when I allowed myself to be the most vulnerable,” says Hamilton.
The Season 4 star also finished production with a greater appreciation for his own community. Hamilton cites the Crossroads Arts District as a great place to shop and get your haircut, but also mentions that visitors need to travel to the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District to really see Kansas City and witness the history detailed in the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Now, with his new look, renovated home and the past finally behind him, Hamilton is ready to feel as much the role model for himself as he has been for so many countless others.
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- Union Station: Union Station is one of the icons in Kansas City culture and architecture. Visit for world-renowned traveling exhibitions, family-friendly experiences and other memorable good times.
- ULAH: A hip retailer that’s also LGBTQ-owned and -operated, menswear just means more at ULAH, making it excellent for finding duds that look as good as the ones Tan picked out for Wesley.
- Afterword Tavern and Shelves: Shown in the episode where Wesley met and reconciled with the man who shot him, Afterword is a cozy cocktail bar that doubles as a hip bookstore.
Episode 3: Stoner skates by
After a divorce, hero John Stoner reverted to his party animal ways of old.
His beautiful-but-messy home seemed more an undergrad fraternity house than a place to relax and rest, particularly for the hero’s adolescent daughter. Ever the optimist, John’s daughter made the best of her situation by playing the role of the adult in the Stoner household. But that wasn’t going to cut it anymore.
With the help of the Fab 5—and a surprise one-on-one lesson with an Olympic great—the big-time sports fan learns to love his daughter’s ice skating passion and finally become the adult she needs him to be.
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- Houndstooth: Custom-made and -tailored suits for the modern man, located right in the stunning River Market district.
- Blue Bird Bistro: Farm-to-table bites and meals are the star at this gem in the friendly Westside neighborhood.
- Line Creek Community Center and Ice Arena: Excellent Northland skating rink where John, his daughter and JVN got a personal skating session with Olympics legend Michelle Kwan.
Episode 4: How Wanda got her groove back
It’s amazing what heroes learn from their Queer Eye experiences.
Take Wanda Winters, for example. The drill team instructor and mom of two didn’t know what to expect, but soon discovered that she had a penchant for being on-camera.
“I thought I would be nervous, but wasn’t,” she says. “I like the cameras! I liked how every day was something different and didn’t know what.”
The Fab 5 excels at just this—helping people break out of their ruts, out of their daily routines. They know better than anyone that it’s in the daily grind where we can lose ourselves and forget about what matters most, such as our loved ones. Or, in Winters’ case, it’s when we can forget just how much we matter.
“How worthy and beautiful I am,” Winters says of what she discovered about herself.
Chalk up this success to the work that Karamo, Bobby, Tan, Antoni and JVN do for their heroes. There’s something special here, both in this episode and in the series itself. The Fab 5’s connection to the subjects featured in every season strikes a chord with audiences around the world in ways that other programs don’t.
It’s because Queer Eye isn’t just about helping people dress better or learn how to decorate their homes—it’s about helping everyone understand that their lives do have worth, and that their lives do matter. In world where it’s easy to become completely consumed by your work or your drill team activities or anything else, the Fab 5 remind us that there’s nothing wrong with taking time to love yourself. In fact, it’s essential.
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- Halls Kansas City: Founded by the mind behind Hallmark and located in Crown Center, Halls is a local icon and one of the premier department stores in the region.
- The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: Marvel at more than 5,000 years of human art and history in this beloved institution that regularly hosts festivals, exhibitions and other community events.
- Juke House: Viewers will remember the Juke House as the spot where Wanda meets with her daughters, but it’s best known in the city as a great hangout in the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District to catch live jazz and blues performances.
- Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center: A prominent cultural resource providing gallery exhibitions, workshops, film series showings and musical and stage productions.
Episode 5: On Golden Kenny
Grief devastates in countless ways, big and small.
In Kenny Yarnevich’s case, he was never truly able to leave the past behind when his beloved parents passed away. It showed. Yarnevich took up residence in his childhood home and didn’t change a thing for years.
Decades later, the lifelong bachelor has cleaned up his house and now looks to the future after working with the Fab 5 to love himself the way he loves his family—and the way they love him back.
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- The Antler Room: Karamo and Kenny have their heartfelt one-on-one at the bar of this wonderful small plates spot in Union Hill.
- The City Market: Ride the KC Streetcar to this iconic local gem that touts fresh produce, international cuisine and more fun for everyone.
- West Elm: Find this luxe furniture and décor store in the heart of the Country Club Plaza.
Episode 6: A tale of two cultures
Life often imitates art. But as Deanna Munoz found, the Fab 5 are just as authentic in reality as they are on TV. And that mattered.
The CEO/President of the Latino Arts Foundation found that, while she was proud of her heritage, she had become torn between two worlds: her Mexican roots and American culture. And when strangers come into your life to help you navigate that divide, their advice can fall on deaf ears because they don’t know the struggles that you face.
“I did not expect the outcome, as I was expecting to grow a little and take away so many learnings,” says Munoz. “However, what happened after our week with the Fab 5 was not only monumental but it is forever life changing—for not only myself but my family.”
In the episode, Munoz explains how her lack of fluency in Spanish made her feel less than. But through their authenticity and empathy, the Fab 5 helped her see the truth.
“I am a strong Chicana, I can make a difference and I do have a voice,” she says. “I am a CEO, a mom, a wife, a sister, an aunt and it’s ok to be all of these. I do not hinder any of my roles in my life, I can be strong in all and be passionate about all; I am a leader.”
As is seen time and again in Queer Eye episodes, so many heroes get caught up in everyday life that they’re unable to experience their home. For Munoz, the city itself helped her find her voice.
“It was so amazing to see how awesome the city was and is and how we as a community come together,” she says.
Now, she’s confident in her identity and her city. She loves showing off her amazing space at the Latino Arts Foundation, but also promoting all of Kansas City’s fantastic festivals that celebrate its diverse communities.
“We have so many [festivals] that include art, culture, community, and every time I experience one, I am more and more blown away at what the festivals bring the community,” says Munoz.
A fitting feeling for someone who does so much for her city.
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- Latino Arts Foundation: The Fab 5 helped Deanna secure the Downtown office space to house her foundation’s headquarters, where she and her team plan the annual Latino Arts Festival to showcase works from traditionally underserved members of the community.
- Finefolk: Find this trendy womenswear shop in the heart of the hip Crossroads Arts District to spruce up your wardrobe with modern looks.
- Hallmark: Deanna’s daytime employer and one of the most respected creative companies in the world. Go to the Visitors Center to experience the story of this locally founded international icon.
Episode 7: Soldier returns home
Kansas City is a tightknit community.
Some know this from the start—whether they’re born here or recently relocated—but for others, this realization isn’t quite as immediate. Sometimes, it takes a Netflix production to really drive the point home.
“I never pictured Kansas City being so welcoming and warming to outsiders,” says Mixon. “You see NYC and California being these typical cities, so it was really neat to see that KC can be that type of community and see the togetherness it brings.”
Viewers are likely familiar with Mixon’s loving nature, particularly toward his family and community of veterans. That said, the father and husband formed friendships beyond those with Bobby, Karamo, Antoni, JVN and Tan.
“I really enjoyed the Fab 5, but my favorite interaction was with the staff,” he says. “The sound guys and videographers were very down to earth and felt like that really cared about me.”
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, though, considering much of the production staff consisted of local industry professionals. Kansas Citians love to talk about their friendliness for a reason—because people are friendly here. And they love their barbecue.
“I wouldn’t be a Kansas City guy if I didn’t say barbeque and Joe’s Kansas City,” says Mixon of his favorite spots in town. “I really also enjoy Carmen’s Italian Café and definitely In-A-Tub tacos.”
It’s clear that the work Mixon does through the Veterans Community Project shows that he cares for his city and those in need. It’s this commitment that proves he’s a true Kansas Citian, through and through.
“I’m proud of the city and I can honestly say that we welcome everybody with open arms,” he says. “I’m proud to say that this is where I’m from.”
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- National WWI Museum and Memorial: Karamo and Brandon visit this fascinating national museum that pays tribute to the veterans who fought in the Great War—and adds context to how the conflict still shapes the world today.
- Lidia’s: Helmed by famed celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich, Lidia’s is a local treasure in the culinary scene that specializes in upscale Italian dishes and a matching ambiance ideal for dates, celebrations and networking events.
- Union Station: Union Station is one of the icons in Kansas City culture and architecture. Visit for world-renowned traveling exhibitions, family-friendly experiences and other memorable good times.
- Veteran’s Community Project: Cofounded by hero Brandon, the Veteran’s Community Project builds tiny homes for local vets in need of housing. Learn how to donate time or money by visiting the website.
Episode 8: Farm to able
Sometimes it’s easy to become content with who we are and how we present ourselves. Matt Moreland didn’t realize this until the Fab 5 visited.
“I’ve always been pretty content with where I am and never looked to change anything much about myself,” he says. “Being on the show, I learned that trying new things and opening up to new experiences is not only very rewarding but can also change your life.”
In more ways than one, Moreland’s experience on Queer Eye did just that. Take, for example, his Red Barn Ranch business. While it had hosted parties and events in the past, Bobby revitalized the concept with new décor, updated offerings and more. Family and friends were wowed. But Moreland also learned to love the big city outside which he’d always lived.
“Before filming, I hadn’t spent much time in Kansas City, but I’d always heard that there is so much to see and do,” he says. “After seeing it firsthand while doing the show, I was amazed at how much Kansas City really does have to offer, from the Plaza, to Downtown to the West Bottoms and more there is something for everyone.”
As for the rest, the Season 4 hero learned that all kinds of possibilities are open to those who are willing to change, including experiencing Kansas City.
“KC has all the amenities you would find in a larger city but still has the hometown feel and accessibility.”
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- Red Barn Ranch: Head to Harrisonville, Missouri, to check out Matt’s farmland business, which received a slick renovation from Bobby and hosts everything from weddings and special events to pumpkin fun in the fall.
- Amigoni Urban Winery: Sample wines of various vintages and styles at this rustic hangout based in the West Bottoms where Karamo and Matt had their heart-to-heart.
- Williams Sonoma: A well-known name brand that excels in luxury cookware, stylish home goods and other kitchen essentials.
- The Urban Lumber Company: Source lumber from Kansas City trees for your own at-home project, such as constructing handmade tables just like Bobby and Matt.
