The Scandals HGTV Network Wishes You Would Forget
Reality television has become an American addiction, as viewers get an inside look at the lives of ordinary people who quickly become as famous as A-list entertainers. The shows are (supposedly) unscripted, which means anything can happen at any time for drama that turns into TV gold. Network producers also take a risk bringing these people on-air, as real people make mistakes like the rest of us, and without proper background research, things can get really messy, really fast. Here are the scandals that rocked the HGTV network.
Fixer Upper Couple Fined by EPA for $40,000 + $160,000 in Labor
Chip and Joanna Gaines' former TV series Fixer Upper focuses on their company Magnolia Homes renovating old houses around Waco, Texas. Some of the houses they worked on are decades old, and many were built before 1978 when lead-based paint was banned from being used on homes.
The Environmental Protection Agency investigated Magnolia Homes' handling of lead-based paint after a few episodes that aired raised questions over whether the Gaines were properly getting rid of the toxic paint. The EPA found multiple properties that Magnolia Homes worked on to be in violation. The couple is paid a $40,000 fine and completed $160,000 of lead abatement work to resolve the issue.
HGTV's Love It or List It Sued by Homeowners
The reality show features interior designer Hilary Farr and real estate agent David Visentin as they renovate featured homeowners' current homes, while also shopping for a new home to potentially buy. At the end of each episode, they choose to "love it or list it." One couple on the show, however, wasn't so happy with their home after it was renovated by the HGTV reality show.
Deena Murphy and Timothy Sullivan put down $140,000 for the remodeling of their home, but claim that the show only put $85,786.50 back into it, and spent the rest on production costs. Not only that, but windows were painted shut, while other sections of the home were left not painted at all, and some of the flooring had holes in it. Needless to say, the couple was furious and filed a lawsuit against the show's producers.
The Show Is Scripted, Fake, and Full of Flaws
Aside from the lawsuit, Deena Murphy and Timothy Sullivan put Love It or List It on blast, calling out the cast and crew for shooting a phony show that has no real merit to what it portrays on television.
The couple stated in the lawsuit against the show's production company, "The show is scripted, with roles and reactions assigned to the various performers and participants, including the homeowners. These characters are actors or television personalities playing a role for the camera, and in this case, none of them played more than a casual role in the actual renovation process." Ouch.
House Hunters Is Fake
In 2012, it was alleged by a blog that House Hunters is a fake show. The blog, Hooked on Houses, said that HGTV only cast participants on the show if they had already purchased a house. One participant named Bobi said that the producers "scrambled" to find houses to show and pretend like they were considering even though they actually already bought a house.
The properties weren't even for sale, they were allegedly homes of friends, according to blog writer, Bobi. Entertainment Weekly later sought to verify Bobi's comments, and she kind of backed out saying her experience wasn't "the norm." HGTV also released a statement but didn't really confirm or deny the truths of Bobi's comments.
Rehab Addict Secret Baby?
The host of Rehab Addict, Nicole Curtis, revealed that she not only had a secret baby but she also had a secret custody battle as well. In her book, Better Than New: Lessons I've Learned from Saving Old Homes (And How They Saved Me), she revealed that she kept her pregnancy with her second child a secret.
Having the child, a boy named Harper, led to a custody battle with his father, Shane Maguire. She hid her pregnancy on the show by only shooting from the shoulders up, and even strategically placing things in front of her belly, like a giant mirror. Nicole told People Magazine, "Having my newborn child's face plastered all over social media on a Facebook post where someone could cut and paste it and make it a meme, that wasn't for me."
Rehab Addict's Biggest Failure
Rehab Addict star Nicole Curtis is famous for renovating old houses in Minnesota and Michigan. There was one house she bought in Minneapolis for just two dollars in 2012 that she promised to renovate, but it's still unfished years later.
Curtis hasn't paid all of the necessary taxes on the house, and she didn't pay a contractor for his work. A years-long court battle took place between Curtis and the city over the house.
Nicole Curtis Deletes Facebook Post Alleging A Carjacking
Curtis was the victim of a robbery while visiting her hometown in 2015. At first, she posted about the incident on Facebook, saying that she was carjacked.
Later, she deleted everything about any carjacking, and then she deleted the entire post. Then she oddly blamed the police for the misunderstanding. We may never really know what really happened that day, and she wasn't initially available for comment after the post.
The Property Brothers' Bar Brawl
In 2016, one half of the Property Brothers duo got mixed up in a bar brawl in Fargo, North Dakota. It turns out it was Jonathan Scott, the construction half of the twins. Apparently, Jonathan got involved in some kind of scuffle with bar staff and had to be forcibly removed from the bar.
One of the staff members even told police that Jonathan pulled the "Don't you know who I am?" line, which never goes over well in these types of situations. There were no charges filed against him, so it seems as though it has mostly blown over.
The "Classic Fourth of July Table Setting Ideas" Mishap
In the summer of 2013, HGTV released a special segment titled "Classic Fourth of July Table Setting Ideas." In the episode, they made a rather crucial error when they thought it was a good idea to use an actual American flag as a tablecloth.
To add insult to injury, the show claimed that the flag was used "so spills can be easily wiped off and the flag can later be hung with pride on a flagpole." Obviously, this offended countless viewers who took to the Internet to rebuke the show. HGTV then released a formal apology for using the flag in such a manner.
Ellen's Design Challenge Scandal
Ellen's Design Challenge is a show that appeared on the HGTV network that was executive produced by Ellen Degeneres. During the first season, there was apparently a pretty big scandal after the winner was found to have stolen his ideas. Contestant Tim McClellan got his design "ideas" from a European designer named Simon Schacht.
This led to the winning title being stripped away from him and given to the runner-up Katie Stout. The show's producers, however, decided to do this all very publicly which couldn't be so great for Tim, who is the owner of a furniture store.
The Flip Or Flop Hosts' Relationship Troubles Were Well-Publicized
Working with your spouse in your professional career isn't for everyone and definitely has its challenges, even for the strongest of couples. Then-married couple Tarek and Christina El Moussa hosted HGTV's Flip or Flop since April 2013. The real estate agents purchase foreclosed houses in Orange County, California and renovate them into beautiful homes, while the progress is documented for the show.
In 2016 reports came to light of the couple not getting along, fighting both at home and around the production team. An incident that went under the radar for six months surfaced when people saw the couple's relationship was on the rocks. It led to Tarek being escorted home from a nearby hiking trail.
The Split Is Official
"Like many couples, we have had challenges in our marriage," the couple said in a statement in December 2016. The same day they announced that they have decided to separate after seven years of marriage, but would continue to attend counseling and decide the future of their marriage. Both took to Instagram to share their thoughts and state of mind with their followers at the end of 2016, cementing that there were changes in their family dynamic.
Tarek and Christina El Moussa were locked into a contract that requires them to film several more episodes in 2017, however awkward that might have been at the time.
Tarek Gave Details On The Divorce
Fans of Flip or Flop didn't know the exact details of what led to the couple's divorce for quite some time. But then in March of 2017, Tarek El Moussa finally spoke to US Weekly to shed some light on the split, while filming of the show went on. "It was a gradual thing over time. We were both very busy people with health issues and kids. We didn't fight, we just grew apart."
Tarek had a cancer scare, while his ex-wife Christina dealt with the aftermath of a miscarriage, and fertility challenges. Despite the divorce, the show must go on. "We'll be together for the rest of our lives because we have kids. We need to get along for the kids and for our sanity. Now we say, 'Hi, good morning.' We film together and talk about houses and the kids."
Fake Furniture
On the show Fixer Upper with the aforementioned Chip and Joanna Gaines, the homes at the end of each show are always outfitted in absolutely stunning décor. This is of course from furniture at The Gaines' own Magnolia Market which Joanna runs in Waco, Texas. Well, it turns out the Fixer Upper families didn't get to keep any of the furnishings!
What a letdown! Some steely-eyed viewers noticed that certain pieces were seen multiple times in different homes, and when questioned about it on their website, the Gaines said that the families may purchase the furnishings but it's all "dependent on their budget."
It Took a Month for Chip & Joanna Gaines To Address A Controversy
In November 2016, a rumor began circulating that the married hosts of HGTV's show Fixer Upper, Chip and Joanna Gaines, are "staunchly" anti-gay. The debate started because of the Gaines' ties to an evangelical church whose pastor openly stands against gay marriage.
In response to the controversy, HGTV quickly released a statement avowing that the network does not discriminate against any members of the LGBT community. The Gaines, however, did not comment publicly until more than a month later when Chip blogged, "Joanna and I have personal convictions." He then went on to say "Our family wants to fight for a world that knows how to lovingly disagree."
Losing HGTV Dream Homes
Since 1997, the HGTV program Dream Homes has given away a new home worth $1 million every year. Unfortunately, for the starry-eyed winner, HGTV does not help you out with the taxes that accompany such a majestic abode. Almost every winner with the exception of two has sold their homes because they were unable to afford the taxes.
The 2005 winner of the Lake Tyler house, Don Cruz, actually wanted to rent out the master bedroom suite on a nightly basis in order to try to pay the taxes. However, the City of Tyler rejected his proposition. He then realized that the house had an even higher value than what he thought so he sold the home. Perhaps, HGTV should make some sort of arrangement for helping winners pay the taxes on their new abode.
Joanie Curtis Testifies In Court Against Her Own Daughter
Curtis presents a pretty clean image on TV, but it hasn't all been roses and sunshine behind the scenes for her family.
In August 2016, Nicole's mother went to court to request a personal protection order against her own daughter. She accused her of yelling and threatening her in "mental fits of rage" over the phone and in person. We hope Curtis is a better mother to her own child than her mother was to her.
Nicole Curtis Threatened With Jail Time In Custody Fight
OK, OK, this is the last bit of information about Nicole Curtis. This lady has just been involved in a lot of scandals.
The issue with her mom wasn't the only time she ended up in court. In 2016, a judge threatened her with a jail sentence if she didn't pay outstanding attorney fees to her son's father. The judge didn't rule in Curtis's favor, so Curtis accused her ex of exposing her son to "extreme violence and danger" by taking him to a Black Lives Matter event.
Chip And Joanna Gaines Sued For $1 Million
Former business partners of the famous HGTV couple filed to sue Chip and Joanna Gaines for $1 million in damages in April of 2017. The four used to share ownership of Magnolia Realty, based in Texas, but the Gaines bought them out of their share while the beginnings of their HGTV show Fixer Upper were in the works.
John Lewis and Richard Clark claim the couple knew that company profits were about to skyrocket as the show would expand their visibility across the country. As reported by Fox News, the lawsuit stated, "Chip Gaines conspired to eliminate his business partners -- notwithstanding their long-standing friendship-- in order to ensure that he alone would profit from Magnolia Realty's association with Fixer Upper."
Flip Or Flop's Christina Was Remarried And Got A New Show
Two years after Flip or Flop costars Tarek and Christina El Moussa split up, Christina announced that she was getting a solo show. She also got remarried in a surprise wedding! She wed Wheelers Dealers host Ant Anstead in a secret "winter wonderland" wedding at their Newport Beach home in 2018. They had a child together, but by the end of 2020 had announced that they were divorcing.
As for the new show, called Christina on the Coast, it follows her as she renovates homes in Southern California.
Fake Flip Or Flop Courses
Back in 2016, it was discovered that Flip or Flop fans paid to attend a three-day seminar hosted by Tarek and Christina El Moussa. Supposedly, they paid to receive advice on how to flip homes on their home as well as have access to exclusive investors. However, those who signed up had been lied to with more than a dozen people claiming that Tarek and Christina El Moussa never even showed up for the classes.
Instead, the participants were shown a pre-recorded video because Terek and Christina were "too busy" to attend. Apparently, the course gave little to no advice except encourage the participants to sign up for more HGTV classes.
The Beginning Of Fixer Upper Is Staged
Much like House Hunters, it was revealed by third-season participant David Ridley that the beginning of the show is entirely fake. In a 2016 interview, Ridley revealed that to even apply for the show, you have to have already purchased a home.
He stated that "You have to be under contract to be on the show. They show you other homes but you already have one. After they select you, they send your house to Chip and Joanna and their design team." Basically, the entire first half of the program is unnecessary and staged.
Rumors Of Carter Oosterhouse's Misconduct
While Carter Oosterhouse got his start on TLC, he later scored a show on HGTV titled Carter Can. However, he was accused of misconduct in 2017 by Kailey Kaminsky, a former makeup artist on his show. She claimed that he coerced her into specific situations as far back as 2008 and that her claims led her to be fired and eventually hospitalized for depression.
Oosterhouse denied these accusations and said that the two had a mutual relationship at the time and that Kaminsky was the only crew-member he was ever involved with. He has been married to actress Amy Smart since 2011 and the two share a daughter.
Chip And Joanna Had Big Financial Woes Before HGTV
Before they started making money on their show Fixer Upper, Chip and Joanna were struggling to make ends meet. In 2012, they were sued by the city of Waco and the local school district for failing to pay nearly $25,000 in property taxes.
They also owed McLennan County about $3,500. After getting at least one extension, the debt was paid off in 2014. Luckily, their HGTV show became a success and now the couple is doing very well financially.
Alison Victoria Of Kitchen Crashers Destroys A Building
Alison Victoria announced on Instagram that she was working on renovating a building in Chicago. Well, that building was accidentally and improperly torn down.
She was just trying to knock down a wall and install a bay window, but demolition crews ended up destroying the entire structure. Alison got in a lot of trouble for failing to adhere to the rules of the city. You know what they say, think before you demolish.
The Property Brothers Are A Couple Of Clowns
Before Drew and Jonathan Scott ever picked up a hammer, they worked as clowns at children's birthday parties. It started out as a hobby, and then it turned into a job.
They got really into it and Jonathan even learned a few magic tricks. Drew thinks these magic tricks are the reason why nobody wanted to date them back in the day. We think they look pretty cute as clowns.
One Property Brother Is Married And The Other Is Dating Zooey Deschanel
After getting engaged in 2016, Drew and his longtime partner, Linda Phan got married in Italy in 2018. The ceremony was absolutely gorgeous.
Jonathan Scott split up with his girlfriend, Jacinta Kuznetsov, after two years together, but before that, Jonathan was married to Kelsey, an airline crew scheduler. That marriage only lasted two years. Today, he's doing OK in the relationship department as he's been with actress Zooey Deschanel for a couple of years.
Property Brothers Diss Tiny Houses
Drew and Jonathan Scott seriously dissed the concept of another HGTV show, Tiny Houses, while talking to the Omaha World-Herald in July 2016.
Drew said, "The problem is, tiny houses don't conform to code. It's fine if you want something that's kind of a travel camper, something like that, but to actually think about living in a tiny home, it's not feasible for most families." That's harsh, Drew. Real harsh.
Joanna Doesn't Like When People Rent Fixer Upper Homes On Airbnb
Some of the homes Chip and Joanne have renovated have ended up on Airbnb, and the couple isn't too thrilled about it. They said that the show's contracts would become more strict about the issue in the future.
A spokesperson for Magnolia Homes explained, "We want to honor our national viewing audience. We want to do remodels for clients' homes. That's the true intent of our show, and we want to ensure that does not get lost in this new vacation rental trend."
Chip Gaines Almost Ended Up In Jail Because Of The Family's Dogs
Before Fixer Upper became a success, Chip had a few run-ins with the law. In his memoir, he wrote that he got a ticket for letting his dogs run loose, but that the dogs never chased or attacked anyone.
Two people came forward to say that Chip's dogs really did attack them and left them with puncture wounds on their calves. Chip had to pay a pretty big fine and learn to keep his dogs under control.
The Final Reveal Is Not Always The Final Result
This is especially true for Love It or List It. Sometimes the designers run into problems that slow the whole renovation down. They have to make things look good on camera quickly, but what looks good on camera isn't always real-life ready.
Sometimes, the fabric isn't sewn onto pillows and furniture is positioned to hide flaws in the room that haven't been fixed yet. It's hard to get a house finished in such a short amount of time.
Designs Are Figured Out Way In Advance
According to Wendy Pruitt, a homeowner on Curb Appeal: The Block, design decisions were made before anyone involved with the show had even stepped foot on her property.
This isn't the way interior designers usually work in real life, but when you're working in a tight time frame, you have to speed things along. We think we all secretly knew that this was happening. It just makes sense to plan ahead.
The Town Scenes Aren't Always Filmed In The Same Town
On shows like House Hunters, you see the potential homeowners wandering down a nice street with beautiful storefronts, cute dogs, and lovely greenery. According to a guest who appeared on Curb Appeal, the cameras were actually in an entirely different part of town when they filmed the establishing shots for her episode.
They wanted to show a neighborhood that was a bit brighter and nicer than the one she lived in.
A Lot Of The Work Is Done By Local Subcontractors
Although there's always a featured designer on these HGTV shows, most of the actual work is done by local contracting companies.
Apparently, most of these workers aren't paid very well, but they do get to say that they worked for HGTV. We're not sure whether that's a good trade-off or not. Just remember, there are always people working behind the scenes when you're watching a "reality" television show.
It's Not Unusual For Scenes To Be Filmed More Than Once
Sometimes the scenes where the participants introduce themselves to us or discuss their feelings about different homes are filmed more than once. The homeowners (or prospective homeowners) are not actors, so it takes them a while to get a good take.
There have been times when a homeowner did something funny and producers asked them to recreate it so they can catch it on camera.
Participants On House Hunters Get Paid
Although they don't get paid very much, participants do get some money for appearing on House Hunters. One guest said that she was paid $500 for appearing on the show.
Also, the production crew treats everyone to lunch and snacks while the show is filming. That sounds like a pretty good deal. Most of the people who appear on this show are happy just to be on TV.
Fixer Upper Is The Hardest Show To Get On
Of all the HGTV shows, Fixer Upper is the hardest to get on. That's because it only films in Waco, Texas, so you have to be looking to buy a home within forty miles of the town.
You also have to have a minimum of $30,000 for renovations, fill out a lengthy application, and submit pictures of your family and the home you want to remodel.
House Hunters International Swapped An Older Couple For A Younger Couple
Now HGTV is super popular with people of all ages, but back in the day, the network was making an effort to appeal to younger viewers to expand their audience.
According to a lady whose home was featured on an episode of the show as a "reject home," the network hired a young, good-looking couple to fill in for a couple in their late 50 who were really purchasing a beautiful retreat in Mexico.
