British Queer Eye star Tan France becomes a US citizen and pledges to vote

Tan France, the fashion expert on makeover reality show Queer Eye, has become a US citizen.

France, one of very few out gay Muslims or out gay South Asian men on TV, came to Fame when Netflix rebooted Queer Eye in 2018.

He currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his husband, pediatric nurse and illustrator Rob France.

But he was born and grew up in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, in the northeast of England.

France posted on Instagram: ‘A few minutes ago, I officially became an US citizen! For me, this is monumental. It’s something I’ve been working towards for literally 20 years, which makes this all the more emotional.

‘And now, I will exercise my constitutional right as an American. Today, I will register to vote, and vote for the change I wish to see in OUR nation.’

Fifth season of Queer Eye out now

France took part in the socially-distanced citizenship ceremony on Tuesday. Photos he posted on Instagram show him taking the oath with his right hand raised. He also posed with his husband.

The 37-year-old will now hold dual US and British citizenship.

And in fact, he may not end up being a stranger to the UK. Several of the show’s stars are keen to film Queer Eye in Britain.

However, France told the UK’s Grazia that racism had driven him away from Britain. Both France’s parents are British Muslims originally from Pakistan.

He said: ‘I suffered so much racism here and it’s just not something I want to put myself through.

‘I love this country, I love what it potentially represents, but I just think that until they solve this problem or move forward with it, where you just are not attacked every day, I’m not willing to be here.’

The fifth series of Queer Eye dropped on Netflix last Friday. Meanwhile the streaming company has renewed the show for a sixth season.

France’s own Netflix show, Next In Fashion, debuted in January with Alexa Chung as co-host. However it has been cancelled after just one season.