Carson Kressley is known for having a huge personality on set, but when it comes to his real life, he can be quite the private person. When it comes to his relationship history, for instance, very little is known in the public arena about who he has dated.
The Pennsylvanian actor and designer rose to prominence in the mid-2000s, as one of the stars of Bravo network’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy reality series. Viewers and fans who noticed the lucid chemistry between him and interior design expert Thom Filicia on the show were quick to infer that there was a romantic affair going on between them.
Kressley, however, cleared up any such speculation in 2018. “We're more like brothers and we kind of grew up together in New York City,” he said. “We have never been romantically involved.”
For the last five years, Kressley has become a brand name as one of the judges on RuPaul’s Drag Race. In the same way he is laid back about his dating life, the TV personality is not one to unnecessarily flaunt his wealth. We do know, though, that he is currently worth an estimated $8 million.
Kressley Started Out Earning $3,000 Per Episode Of ‘Queer Eye’
Born on November 11, 1969, Kressley has always been a natural explorer. Before his days of fame, he competed in equestrian events at an early age, and was also elected into fraternity leadership at Gettysburg College.
Kressley shot to fame as one of the stars on Queer Eye. At the start of the show, his estimated earnings per episode were $3,000. These were the humble beginnings of what would turn out to be a very financially rewarding career for the artist.
In 2007, he started hosting How to Look Good Naked, a makeover show that aired on Lifetime. He was also a co-host in the second season of the ABC series True Beauty and competed in Season 13 of Dancing with the Stars.
RELATED: These Are The Richest 'Dancing With The Stars' Pros Of All-Time
Kressley began his career as an independent stylist and later started working for Ralph Lauren from 1994 until 2002. Here, he explored several areas in fashion, from men’s wear to corporate advertising. Among his multiple fashion-centric books is the 2016 New York bestseller Does This Book Make My Butt Look Big?
Kressley Is A Self-Proclaimed Fashion Savant
In late 2006, Kressley launched his own clothing line by the name ‘Perfect’ on the free-to-air TV network, QVC. His goal in doing so was to help people get the basics of fashion right, “but with a twist.”
In April 2012, he launched a new women’s collection called, ‘Love, Carson’ for ShopNBC. Step by step, Kressley was building himself up into a household name in the world of fashion and fashion critique.
In 2005, he was a judge for the Miss Universe pageant, and he would later commentate for Miss Universe and Miss USA in 2006. In addition to being a fans’ favorite judge on Drag Race, he frequently appears on Good Morning America and for the E! Network. The self-proclaimed fashion savant has critiqued red carpet fashions at high-profile events such as the Oscars and the Golden Globes.
RELATED: Here's Why 'Drag Race' Fans Are Furious Scarlett Johansson Is A Guest Judge
Kressley’s clothing brand is worth about $30 million today. The Emmy-Award winning personality’s fashion projects extend outside of the silver screen, and can even be found in the children’s section of bookstores across the country.
Carson Kressley's Current Net Worth Is Valued At $8 Million
Kressley is currently one of six contestants left in the Celebrity Big Brother 2022 house. Contestants on the show are reportedly a base figure of $100,000 to enter the house, on top of the $250,000 grand prize for the eventual winner. Even if he ended up victorious, these amounts are still somewhat of loose change to Kressley.
In recent years, there have been instances of celebrities flaunting their wealth at a time of extreme hardships around the world. A selfish Kim Kardashian birthday vlog, for example, elicited rage over her perceived tone-deaf insensitivity.
Kressley, who is in fact an active philanthropist and activist, is a breath of fresh air in that regard. With his mammoth $8 million net worth, he has made it a priority to give back, working with organizations such as (GLAAD) in its mission to provoke dialogue that accelerates acceptance of the LGBTQ.
In 2015, he hosted a karaoke benefit to raise awareness for liver cancer and viral hepatitis. Kressley also utilizes his voice by being on the board of directors at True Colors United, a nonprofit also dedicated to LGBTQ causes.
The makeover king also plays a part in ensuring the safety, welfare and well-being of animals through his collaboration with the American Humane Association.
