EXCLUSIVE Two more HGTV shows face the ax as cancelation bloodbath spirals
'We had to stop the bleeding,' said the senior source, who claimed that revenues were underperforming and the network needed to act.
'We were hemorrhaging money. So in order to stop the bleeding, we had to have a bloodbath. It was calculated cuts to make things make sense, financially.'
Without warning, HGTV pulled the plug on Farmhouse Fixer, Bargain Block, Married to Real Estate and Izzy Does It. The sudden cancellations sent shockwaves through the HGTV fandom, and left employees of several shows fearing for their jobs.
'Decisions are still being made,' said the insider, who works directly with programming. 'It sucks for everyone involved but that's the TV business. Everyone understands that. Cable networks are struggling now, and we all have to make smart decisions.'
Farmhouse Fixer host Jonathan Knight confirmed that his show, co-presented by Kristina Crestin, had been axed on Wednesday after three seasons.
'A lot of you have been asking about the future of Farmhouse Fixer,' he said. 'I am sad to say HGTV has decided not to move forward with another season.
'While I'm still processing the reasons that led to their decision, Kristina and I are so grateful for all your support over the past three seasons. Television has been so incredibly fun for us.'
Ben and Erin Napier, the network's biggest stars, have not been affected by the cancellations
It was a surprise move by the network, given that former New Kids on the Block singer Knight is one of the most recognizable stars on the HGTV roster.
'He's well-known for sure,' said the network insider, 'but there are hosts on our shows who are more the face of the network. We're not getting rid of [Hometown hosts] Ben and Erin Napier anytime soon. They're probably the biggest stars we've got.'
The decision to keep or cut a show comes down to revenue, and the Napiers enjoy the network's highest ratings.
Each episode of Hometown garners around one million viewers, and is rebroadcast several times throughout the week.
Other top performers include Rock the Block, My Lottery Dream Home, 100 Day Dream Home, Castle Impossible and House Hunters International.
'Obviously, things can change but the ratings performers are probably pretty safe,' said the insider. 'House Hunters International is a bit more expensive to produce, but the ratings justify it.'
But some of the lesser-known shows, including Luxe for Less and Unsellable Houses, are facing uncertain futures.
The show Izzy Does It was an easier cancellation decision, the executive said, because it was just entering Season 2 and had not yet built a devoted fan base.
Host Israel 'Izzy' Battres has not issued a statement directly addressing his show's cancellation, but did respond to a fan online.
'Unfortunately, no season two,' Battres said, 'but we're truly thankful for everyone watching and supporting us!!'
Married to Real Estate's hosts Mike Jackson and Egypt Sherrod described the decision to axe their show as 'unexpected' in a joint statement.
'Mike and I just landed back in the States after an unforgettable family trip through the Mediterranean, and we're met with unexpected news: HGTV has decided not to move forward with Married to Real Estate,' it read.
'While the chain of events leading up to this is disheartening, we are deeply grateful. Grateful for four incredible seasons. Grateful for our amazing crew and supportive fans.'
The network insider acknowledged that the cancellations were 'brutal' but believes that all those impacted would find other projects.
'There are so many opportunities in home renovation media, whether it's on a network like HGTV or something online or something totally different. I am pretty sure everyone will land on their feet.'
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Daily Mail
5 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Jessica Mulroney's life after being 'ditched' by Meghan Markle: Stylist with lustrous TV contracts went from flying high as a VIP at the royal wedding to monetising Instagram Stories - after 'drift' with BFF following 'white privilege' row
They were once the besties that enjoyed soaring up to the height of the A-lister world together; but after a 'white privilege' row in the light of the Black Lives Matter movement saw Jessica Mulroney being dropped from lustrous media contracts, she and Meghan Markle appear to have long drifted apart. And without the clout of the Duchess of Sussex at her aide, the stylist, 45 - whose daughters were the the flower girls at the royal wedding in 2018 - seems to have taken to more grounded methods of making a living among the VIPs, including, most recently, monetised Instagram Stories. The influencer, who has been setting up a following as a fashion page on the platform, over the weekend shared a link encouraging followers to sign up for 'exclusive content'. According to Meta, Instagram subscriptions allow you to create posts, highlights and broadcasts 'for your most engaged followers at a monthly fee'. It's a far cry from Jessica's earlier gigs - as the woman who once dressed the First Lady of Canada and worked as a contributor for Good Morning America. Meanwhile Meghan - who herself has been curating a social media presence since January, with a whopping 3.9 million followers on Instagram, a Netflix lifestyle series and a new Montecito-aesthetics-inspired brand - hasn't been linked to once-bestie since the fallout five years ago. Despite their close relationship, insiders claimed that the Duchess had permanently cut ties with Jessica in 2020, after she became embroiled in a 'feud' with influencer Sasha Exeter. Jessica is said to have 'taken offence' to a 'generic call to action' post Sasha had shared about the Black Lives Matter movement. And without the clout of the Duchess of Sussex at her aide, the stylist, 45 - whose daughters were the the flower girls at the royal wedding in 2018 - seems to have taken to more grounded methods of making a living among the VIPs, including, most recently, monetised Instagram Stories In a follow-up video, Sasha said: 'What happened next was a series of very problematic behaviour and antics. 'I'm by no means calling Jess a racist but what I will say is this: She is very well aware of her wealth, perceived power and privilege because of the colour of her skin and that, my friends, gave her the momentary confidence to come for my livelihood in writing. Textbook white privilege really, in my personal opinion.' Following the claims, Jessica issued three public apologies but was dropped by a number of television networks, including Good Morning America. In one instance, commenting on a video clip shared by Sasha, Jessica said she was 'unequivocally sorry', writing: 'As I told you privately, I have lived a very public and personal experience with my closest friend where race was front and centre. It was deeply educational.' Insiders then claimed that Meghan had permanently cut ties with Jessica after she became embroiled in a race row with the influencer. An insider told Page Six that the duo's relationship was already on the rocks because the Duchess felt that Jessica was trying to 'make a career out of the friendship.' 'The white privilege row has really given Meghan the excuse she was waiting for to cut Jess off for good,' the source said. 'I don't know what the tipping point was, but Jess has been on the outs for some time. Canadian TV network CTV also cut off ties with the stylist, revealing that it would be pulling all episodes of her wedding-themed reality TV show I Do Redo from its platform. Jessica also also stepped down from the board of directors of The Shoebox Project, the charity she co-founded a decade ago to 'provide gifts to women living in shelters or accessing community support,' according to public records. 'In light of recent events, the charity supports Jessica's decision to step away from the Board of Directors,' read a statement from the organization at the time. Jessica took a two-month break from social media - but six months after the scandal, she shared what were understood to be DMs and text messages between herself and Sasha that the National Post's columnist Barbara Kay called 'a complete exoneration of Jessica from all the false allegations of racist bullying.' Kay concluded that Jessica 'is innocent of the moral crimes she has been so unjustly charged with. She added: 'She did not deserve the reflexive shunning the accusations called forth. But she has no wish for revenge. She wants only to resume the profession she loves with honour and dignity.' Sasha does not appear to have commented further on this. After growing distant from Meghan, Jessica's fashion partnerships also appeared to dry up for a time. In September 2020, Jessica addressed the rumours of rift between her and the Duchess. She wrote on her Instagram Stories: 'I'm going to tell this once and for all. Meghan and I are family. 'She is the kindest friend and has checked up on me everyday.' Six months later, Jessica shared a photo of the flowers she received from Meghan on her 41st birthday, on which she wrote: 'LUCKIEST FRIEND XXXX, THX MM.' The following year however, it became increasingly evident that their friendship had soured. In June 2021, the mother-of-three posted a cryptic quote on her Instagram Story, which read: 'Life changes. You lose love. You lose friends. You lose pieces of yourself that you never imagined would be gone. Two months later, she told her followers: 'It can be lonely having the world, friends distance from you and not even ask how you are. But, thankfully, you find the things that truly matter…' The following year, Jessica posted a picture of a sign reading: 'You are not too sensitive. You are not overreacting. If it hurts you it hurts you.' She captioned the post: 'I wish I had a seen this a long time ago. I hope it makes a difference in your day too.' Since, Meghan seems to have kept a distance from her former pal - with no mention of her in Harry's book Spare or the couple's 2022 Netflix documentary. Jessica was also not invited to take part in the Duchess's most recent project - With Love, Meghan. The lack of friendship between the pair is starkly different to how they once were -Meghan raved about her best friend on her defunct lifestyle blog The Tig, and her sons and daughter appeared alongside Princess Charlotte and Prince George as page boys and flower girls at the wedding. Before she married Prince Harry, Meghan would often gush about Jessica online - with the pair often going on holidays together. In December 2015, the Duchess said that 'the room stops' whenever her friend 'shows up at an event'. Referencing the 1980s US sitcom Out of This World, Meghan compared Jessica to the show's heroine Evie (played by Maureen Flannigan) - who has the ability to freeze time. Gushing about the effect Jessica has on people, Meghan described her as 'savvy and fashionable and tres cool, and also va va va voom pritaaaay'. She continued: 'And here's the other thing - she also happens to be an incredible stylist, clothing the likes of Canada's First Lady, Sophie Trudeau.' In her 2022 Netflix documentary, Meghan shared footage of the night Prince Harry proposed in 2017 - where she FaceTimed her friend 'Jess' as she walked the grounds of Kensington Palace. The following year, Meghan then asked Jessica's three children John, Brian and Isabel to be in her wedding party - while the stylist was given a starring role as she entered St George's Chapel alongside the Princess of Wales. The day of the royal wedding Jessica shared snaps captioned: 'Proud friend. Proud mom.' While she was still living in Toronto, the Duchess was regularly pictured at glamorous events with the Canadian mother-of-three. Meghan was all over the stylist's social media page years ago, and Jessica is even understood to have helped pick out the wedding dress for Rachel Zane - the Duchess's character on Suits. Royal expert Katie Nicholl told Cosmopolitan in 2018: 'They went to the same yoga and Pilates and became firm friends. 'Meghan really looks up to Jessica. She thinks she's a talented person, a wonderful mother, and a great best friend.' Jessica also helped introduce Meghan to some of her famous friends, including singer Michael Bublé. The pair amped up their social media presence of each other in 2016 and 2017. Posting in February 2016, Jessica teased a trip to the Cayman Islands with her gal pal. She said: 'Girls trip has officially begun with @meghanmarkle (which means don't bother me unless you have to).' That summer, Jessica shared a slew of candid photos showing her and Meghan on holiday in Italy a month after her first date with Prince Harry. Instagram snaps showed the two women sipping cocktails at sunset and having fun in the sun on the Amalfi coast. Meghan's holiday to Positano was one of her last jaunts as a single girl before her engagement. Sharing one snap, Jessica wrote: 'Happy wife happy life #fakehoneymoon. #MJxItaly #positano #posivibes.' The duo had also posed for fun pictures in a Soho House photo booth - showing that the Duchess had perhaps for a while been a fan of the luxurious members' club chain where she and Prince Harry met up for a 2016 date. The same year also saw Jessica take to social media to regularly support Meghan on a number of initiatives the star was involved in. 'This woman is busy,' she wrote in one upload. 'She juggles more in a day than most do in a week. 'And yet she still finds time to travel to Rwanda with @worldvision and creates global awareness for the water crisis. 'She is a boss. And I adore her #worldvision #watercolorproject @meghanmarkle.' And Jessica was there during the early days of Meghan's romance with Harry. The fledgling couple spent time with the Mulroneys, part of the Canadian political dynasty, before their relationship was made public in 2016. A source years ago told E! News: 'When Harry first started going to Toronto to visit Meghan, it was Ben and Jessica who had them over at their house for dinners because it wasn't easy for them to go out in public without the risk of getting spotted.' Jessica was also there for Meghan's first royal appearance at the Invictus Games in 2017. She continued to offer guidance as to what Meghan should wear for significant occasions. Jessica was also among several famous faces who organised Meghan's baby shower in New York City, which is understood to have cost a whopping $500,000. The lavish trip included a stay of at least two nights in the $75,000-per- night penthouse suite at The Mark Hotel, which is believed to have been rented for two nights, a roughly $420 dinner at The Polo Bar, over $14,000 for protection, and thousands of dollars in gifts. In 2019, Jessica said her life is an 'open book' but when it comes to a certain few things – such as her friendship with Meghan – her lips are completely sealed. 'This is my first interview that I've done since the wedding or anything,' Jessica told Harper's Bazaar. 'Listen, every person has to have a bit of privacy in their life. There are certain things I hold very dear and secret... There are things I'll never talk about for sure. 'My life is an open book, but there's always a few secret pages in the back that nobody will be able to read.' Meanwhile she also travelled to London to visit the Duchess after she welcomed her son Archie in May 2019. Jessica was spotted at Toronto's Pearson International Airport before boarding a flight to London with her five-year-old daughter Ivy in tow to visit the royals. 'Packing for our first Mother/Daughter trip and I'm screaming with excitement. Are matching shoes too much.' She also ramped up her defences of Meghan on Instagram, often posting cryptic messages which appeared to be directed at critics of the Sussexes. But following the influencer scandal, rumours of a Meghan and Jessica fallout kept brewing, going between hot and cold. Jessica sent social media into overdrive after posting a cryptic message about her 'true friends'. 'Thank you to our true friends for sticking by us. We could never have made it without you,' she wrote on Instagram. 'Silver lining: we finally know the a******s who we thought were our friends. Best gift we could have ever been given.' Since then, Jessica has not commented on allegations of her drifting apart from Meghan. Meanwhile, as the backlash against Jessica began mounting, Meghan remained quiet and distant on the matter and has not publicly spoken about her friend in years. One source told Daily Mail their friendship is no longer 'what it once was,' adding that this was due to the pair having 'just grown apart' and not because of the fallout between Jessica and Sasha. The insider added: 'Of course, Meghan has been worried about Jess. She'll always have love for her.' Despite this, Jessica once again came out in support of the Duchess ahead of her and Harry's broadcast of her bombshell CBS interview with chatshow legend Oprah Winfrey. The Canadian stylist said no one 'has ever had to deal with the pressure, the politics and the press' like Meghan in an Instagram post. Uploading a photo of the pair of them, she added: 'In the face of it all, I have never seen her wave from kindness, empathy and love.' Meghan that year also sent Jessica a huge bouquet of flowers to mark her birthday. Jessica shared a snap on her Instagram page of a large bunch of pink roses in a glass vase, penning: 'Luckiest friend, thanks MM.' It seems that since the fallout, Jessica has tried to rebuild her brand - this time, without Meghan by her side. After years of working with high-end designers, the mother has now partnered up with Canadian high street label Aritizia. She has also secured deals with the online retailers Revolve and Fwrd. 'January was the busiest yet most fulfilling month I've had in many years,' Jessica told her followers in 2024 when she shared video highlights of a trip to Los Angeles where she was 'working with and styling some of the most wonderful people and event'. After stepping back from The Shoebox Project in 2020, Jessica also appears to have worked her way back into the charity's good books. In November 2023, she attended the fundraising party with her daughter Ivy. Posting from the event, she wrote: 'Every year I am in awe of your generosity and support. What a night raising over 25k for women impacted by homelessness.' Although she didn't attend the event, the mother-of-three plugged the 2023 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards on Instagram. She wrote: 'There is so much talent in this country and I thank you for always making me feel beautiful in your designs. Good luck tonight. 'Despite everything going on in the world, it is still important to celebrate our own.' In July 2023, she also shared 'a little a preview' of a photoshoot she did in Italy with her Instagram followers. She captioned the post: 'Makeup and fancy free. Can't wait to share the entire piece.' In response to two comments asking if the shoot was for Vogue, Jessica didn't shut down the suggestion and answered with heart emojis. Not long after, in a post she later deleted, Jessica captioned a carousel of photos with the hashtags '#Vogue #Italy #FashionSpread.' What's more, Jessica also teased a potential I Do, Redo comeback last summer. She wrote on Instagram: 'If anyone knows me or what I love to do, it involves surprising brides and grooms with the wedding of their dreams. Finally, Im getting back into the game. 'Coming to a screen near you.' Throughout 2024, Jessica also shared snaps of 'dress fittings', and captured her and husband Ben's attendance at the The Horatio Alger Award - awarded to 'distinguished Americans to individuals who have achieved success in the face of adversity'. 'Spending time with the incredible members and touring some of the more historic destinations in the city were both a close second to hearing the inspirational stories of some of the most impressive young scholars in Canada and the US,' she wrote in the caption. 'My father in law was so proud of his membership. Ben and I look forward to continuing his work with them in our own way.' Meanwhile in February - sporting a very glamorous make-up looks, she penned: 'Doing this thing today for work with a brand I truly love. As I get older, I've gotten over the travel of it all. Nothing compares to spending time with my kids at home. Absolutely nothing.' As per her Instagram bio, Jessica is also the founder of the Female Empowerment Project, which is 'a group of female experts in the world of finance, law, manufacturing, marketing and social media mentoring small female founded businesses in the US and Canada'.
Daily Mail
35 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Tim Tebow and Miss Universe wife welcome first child together... and reveal heartwarming story behind baby's name
Tim Tebow and his Miss Universe wife have welcomed their first child together. The 37-year-old college football icon and his model wife Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters announced the news with an emotional post on Instagram on Monday. The couple shared a series of black-and-white photos of themselves in the hospital alongside their new daughter. The caption read: 'Our daughter is here! We couldn't be more grateful for the blessing and gift of this new little life. 'We're so grateful to the whole medical team that assisted us in the best way possible during my labor and delivery. From our doctor to our nurses and all the hospital staff — we are so grateful and thankful for you. 'To my sweet friend @hannahjanoe thank you for capturing one of the most special moments of our lives so perfectly. 'Thank you to everyone who's been praying with us over her arrival. We are so incredibly thankful for all of the love and support we've felt. 'We can't wait to share her name with you soon'. However, it didn't take long for that announcement. Just hours later, the couple returned to Instagram to share a joint post which revealed their daughter's name. The post read: 'Meet our daughter, Daphne Reign Tebow. 'Daphne is a name that's been close to my heart since I was a little girl. I never got to meet my mom's mother, but her sister, Daphne, stepped in as a grandma figure to me. 'And Reign… it's a name that holds so much meaning. But more than anything, her name reminds us that when you're adopted into God's family, you become a child of the King. You were made to rule and reign—not in power, but in purpose, love, and identity. 'So here she is — our daughter. Our answered prayer. Daphne Reign Tebow — created in the image of God. Royalty as His princess. Our biggest prayer over her is to reign in God's purpose for her life'. The couple first announced the news that they were expecting a child back in January in a joint Instagram post. The birth of their daughter comes five years after the couple got married At the time, the couple wrote: 'We're over the moon to step into parenthood together'. Tebow and wife married in 2020 and are celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary on January 20. After brief stints with Denver Broncos and New York Jets, the Philippines-born star Tebow was only used in the offseason or as a practice squad member by New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars before being released by the latter in 2021. He has also tried his hand in professional baseball in recent years, signing a minor league baseball contract with the New York Mets in 2016 and playing outfield for the organization for five years.
The Independent
35 minutes ago
- The Independent
Cierra Ortega exits 'Love Island USA' villa following backlash over resurfaced racial slur posts
Cierra Ortega, a contestant of this summer's 'Love Island USA' left the villa just a week before the finale of the hit reality series is set to air on Peacock. Her departure, announced Sunday, followed weeks of uproar from viewers after old posts from Ortega resurfaced that contained a racial slur against Asian people. The show's narrator, Iain Stirling, announced Ortega had departed 'due to a personal situation' early in Sunday's episode. Ortega becomes the second contestant this season to depart the show amid controversy due to past social media posts. Yulissa Escobar abruptly exited last month in the second episode after clips of her using racist language resurfaced online. Her departure was also not explained in the show. A spokesperson for the show declined to comment Monday. Ortega's family posted to her Instagram story Sunday evening following the announcement of her departure, asking the public 'for compassion. For patience. For basic human decency. 'While Cierra is not in the villa anymore, she is still away. She hasn't had the chance to process any of this or speak for herself," her family wrote. "But we know our daughter. We know her heart. And when she returns, we believe she'll face this with honesty, growth, and grace.' Her family said they, along with Ortega's friends and online supporters, have received threats, attacks and cruel messages on social media, noting that 'no one deserve that kind of hate, no matter what mistakes they've made.' 'Love Island USA' is an American spin-off of the original U.K. series and is airing its seventh season. The show airs daily except Wednesdays and brings young singles together in a remote villa in Fiji to explore connections with the ultimate goal of finding love. Couples undergo challenges and are encouraged test their romantic connections as new contestants are introduced. Islanders are routinely 'dumped' from the villa throughout the series as stronger couples form. The winning couple receives $100,000. The show, which strips contestants of their phones or access to the outside world, has previously asked fans to avoid cyberbullying contestants. Host Ariana Madix called for fans to stop doxxing and harassing the show's stars in a recent interview with The Associated Press. Ortega entered the villa at the end of the first episode as a bombshell, one of the first in a steady stream of new contestants who come in after the show began, often expected to disrupt existing couples and create new relationship dynamics. Ortega quickly coupled up with Nic Vansteenberghe, whom she remained with up until her departure. Her exit broke up one of the few consistent couples of the season. The couple had just announced a few episodes prior they were 'closed off,' a popular 'Love Island' phrase to indicate neither contestant was interested in exploring a connection with any other islander. 'Before Cierra had left, my mind was clear. I knew what the future would look like, and now, I'm lost,' Vansteenberghe said during Sunday's episode. Vansteenberghe stayed on the show as a single islander after Ortega left, and he ultimately re-coupled with fellow contestant Olandria Carthen before the end of the episode. Belle-A Walker, a contestant who was dumped earlier this season, took to Instagram to express heartbreak over Ortega's resurfaced posts. Walker, who is Asian American, said she is 'deeply appreciative' of the show's producers 'for taking a stand and making it clear that racism of any kind is not tolerated.' 'Asian hate is oftentimes overlooked and dismissed. But being a first-generation American, I have personally witnessed and experienced how real and hurtful comments like these are," Walker wrote on her Instagram story page. "It is my hope that this situation can help shed light on how big of an issue anti-Asian hate really is.'
