Latest news with #ChipandJoannaGaines
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Evangelical HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines spark outrage after casting gay couple on new reality show
Evangelical HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines are facing backlash from conservative Christians after casting a gay couple on their new reality show. The couple are executive producers of a new Magnolia Network series called Back to the Frontier, which drops three families near the Canadian Rockies and forces them to live like it is the 1880s for eight weeks. The families have no access to modern technology, no electricity or running water, and must harvest all their own food and tend to livestock. While the show sounds like must-see TV for Chip and Joanna's target audience, some viewers have expressed outrage over the inclusion of a gay couple on the cast. Texas-based couple Jason and Joe Hanna-Riggs are married with two twin boys, who they welcomed via a surrogate in 2014. In an interview with Queerty, the pair said that they signed up to do the show to 'normalize same-sex families,' but not all viewers are on board with their inclusion. Franklin Graham, who is the son of an evangelical pastor once praised by President Donald Trump, was among viewers weighing in on the series. 'I hope this isn't true, but I read today that Chip and Joanna Gaines are featuring a gay couple in their new series,' he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 'If It is true, it is very disappointing. While we are to love people, we should love them enough to tell them the truth of God's Word. His Word is absolute truth. God loves us, and His design for marriage is between one man and one woman. Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself sin.' Ed Vitagliano, who is VP of the American Family Association, insisted that the Magnolia Network should be 'expected to uphold' biblical values because the Gaines had been open about their faith in the past. 'This is sad and disappointing, because Chip and Joanna Gaines have been very influential in the evangelical community,' Vitagliano posted online. 'We aren't sure why the Gaines have reversed course, but we are sure of this: Back to the Frontier promotes an unbiblical view of human sexuality, marriage, and family – a view no Christian should embrace.' Other viewers also turned their ire directly towards Chip and Joanna, slamming the pair for including a gay couple on the show. 'I've never been a fan of the Gaines, but their normalization of so-called same-sex marriage and redefinition of family is a sinful capitulation to the god of this age. Sad but unsurprising,' wrote one. 'I hope the money from HBO was worth it to turn your long-time, loyal fan base against you by compromising your Christian values on family and sexuality. I hope you'll reconsider the things that led you to do this,' raged another. 'This is the closest I've come to seeing someone *literally* shoot themselves in the foot. You *have* to know that a large part of your base is professing Christians... whom you've now blown a Judas kiss.' Chip broke his silence following the backlash by slamming 'modern American Christians' in a post on X (formerly Twitter) 'Please stop pretending you're Christians. You're dragging the name of Christ through the mud,' wrote another. Chip has since responded to the controversy, posting on X, 'Talk, ask questions, listen... maybe even learn.' He continued, 'Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge first, understand later/never. It's a sad Sunday when "non believers" have never been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian.' Chip, 50, added, 'On our way to church... Y'all enjoy this beautiful Sunday!' Speaking to Queerty about their experience on the show, Joe and Jason said that they learned throughout the process that LGBTQ homsteaders did in fact exist in the 1880s. 'Well, from the homestead perspective, it was fascinating to learn that queer homesteaders existed — like, that's how a lot of folks kind of escaped, I guess, really being ostracized in cities,' Joe said. 'They would go to the frontier as a couple. So it was a common thing back then, and it's kind of the resilience of LGBTQ+ folks then, as well as it continues to be into into modern times.' The couple also discussed what it was like having to take on more traditional and defined gender roles on the series, with Jason taking on the female role. 'Taking on the female gender role, I learned that the homestead really revolved around women — they were the ones that were really making the homestead work,' he said. 'Because, while the man went out and did the physical labor, the women had to stay home and take care of the children, the garden, the laundry, the dishes and everything else, and then we were still expected to have food on the table when the husband came home from from the field,' he continued. 'So, without the women in the backbone of the homestead, homesteading would not have been successful, in my opinion.' has contacted Chip and Joanna for further comment. Back to the Frontier is currently streaming on HBO Max and The Magnolia Network. The show's official synopsis reads, 'Three American families leave the 21st century behind and attempt to survive as 1880s homesteaders – without running water or electricity. 'They tackle historical challenges and learn the skills that frontier families needed to survive a long winter.'
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Back to the Frontier' Families Reveal Why They Gave Up Electricity and Modern Comforts in Chip and Joanna Gaines' New Series (Exclusive)
'Back to the Frontier' Families Reveal Why They Gave Up Electricity and Modern Comforts in Chip and Joanna Gaines' New Series (Exclusive) originally appeared on Parade. No electricity, running water or the conveniences of technology. That's what three families signed up for in Back to the Frontier, a new series from Chip and Joanna Gaines. For eight weeks, the Lopers from Alabama, the Hanna-Riggs from Texas and the Halls from Florida lived as 1880s homesteaders—harvesting produce and raising animals—in a remote wilderness in Alberta, Canada. But why would someone (voluntarily) give up the comforts of modern living? They each had their reasons for choosing to do Magnolia Network's first social experiment, but for JasonHanna and Joe Riggs, it was an opportunity for their twin sons, Ethan and Lucas, to disconnect from their devices and take on new checking chickens for eggs. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 "In the 21st Century, our kids have it pretty easy. They don't really have a lot of chores and responsibilities, and we knew coming here that that would change. We knew that they would have to step up and start doing a lot of the things around the homestead that they wouldn't necessarily have to do," Jason told Parade during a visit to the frontier. "So I think we looked at it as, like getting off devices and trying to figure out how to navigate that, but also teaching a whole new set of responsibilities, and hoping that when we go back to the 21st Century, that that's something that they'll take with them as well." Over in another homestead, JeremeHall and his wife Lina and their three kids, Mia, Zoe and Jet, wanted to learn, grow and see what it was "like to go backwards." "This is such a drastic change from our regular life that it has brought so many lightbulb moments that were like, 'Wow. Life can be simple, but still so full of stuff,' right? You can learn how to cook. You can learn so many different things if you really focus on it, and that's what we've had the time to do here," Lina said. Related: While the "1880s struggles [are] real," Joaquin Loper's experience on the frontier was very similar to how he grew up, and he wanted his sons, Landen and Maddox, to live it themselves. "My boyshave never experienced anything like this," Joaquin shared. "This is better than the stories I try to tell them and say, 'This is how daddy grew up. Be appreciative to what you have.' But living it? Living it, I knew, would change their whole concept of the way they look at things, the way they perceive things and the way they receive things, even the way they treat people and treat themselves." Back to the Frontier was additionally the perfect opportunity for Stacey Loper and Joaquin's sons to understand why they are the way they are as parents. "I think this experience kind of drove it home for Landen and Maddox. It's that level of appreciation, that humility, the honor and respect that you have for your parents, that you have for the work that they put in, like that's what we wanted to show them," Stacey said. For Joaquin, the social experiment was a lesson that "everything that we strive for in the 21st Century is not a necessity." Away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world, a newfound appreciation for the simpler things was gained. "Just because life can be simple, it can still be very meaningful and you can find so many happy moments if you just keep it simple," Lina pointed out. When watching the show, Stacey hopesviewers see love, struggle, unity and family. "That they also see that you can navigate marriage, you can navigate family, you can navigate parenting amongst the struggle of life itself," she said, adding, "That your struggle, your trauma, your experiences don't have to be passed down to the next generation. Sit down and have a conversation with your kids, sit down, let the electronics go and just be engulfed in what you have right in front of you, that love of family that was created by the hand, the heart and the minds of the people from the 1880s." Joe, too, encourages others to put devices away and have family time. He said, "I think most people are mindful of their screen time, but it reinforced for us to really limit it, especially in the evenings, and make the time as a family to not just have our dinners together, but also game nights and other activities and having those experiences as a family is what's most important. Jason added, "Focus on the foreground and not the background." But what exactly is homesteading? Modern homesteader Melissa K. Norris explained to Parade, "The best overall generalization [of modern homesteading] is going to be looking to become more of a producer than a consumer, so that you're producing through your own hands, in your own home, etc, more things than you're just consuming and bringing in." Norris noted that a lot of the elements of modern homesteading and the homesteading the families did on the show are the same. As long as someone is teachable and enjoys learning, Norris thinks anybody can learn to homestead. The expert said, "You have to be teachable and have a learner's heart, and you absolutely have to be resilient because you're gonna face failures. There's no way you can't and so if you're someone who's like, 'Oh gosh, this was too hard,' or 'I had this setback,' and you don't have resilience or the ability to bounce back, you're not gonna make it." Back to the Frontier will stream on HBO Max and air on Magnolia Network at 8 p.m. ET with a new episode released every Thursday over the course of the show's eight-week run. Next, 'Back to the Frontier' Families Reveal Why They Gave Up Electricity and Modern Comforts in Chip and Joanna Gaines' New Series (Exclusive) first appeared on Parade on Jul 11, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cracker Barrel Employee Explains the Real Reason Behind Decor Changes: "Where Are the Rocking Chairs?"
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." We get it—change is hard. And that applies to just about everything in our lives, from relationships to jobs to our favorite restaurants. Beloved Cracker Barrel has been switching things up lately, and some longtime customers are having trouble adjusting. Select Cracker Barrel locations have been updating their decor, and a recent remodel in Smyrna, Tennessee, is getting some buzz on social media. One person on Tik Tok shared a video of a bright white space and captioned it, "What in the Chip and Joanna Gaines is going on here?" On another video, viewers noticed that the rocking chairs seemed to have been replaced by Adirondack chairs, and the antiques were scaled way back. One commented, "I'm having an unreasonable amount of rage about this." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Last year, a Cracker Barrel representative told Country Living that 25-30 locations are undergoing a "pilot remodel test" as a part of a multi-year strategic transformation plan. According to the rep, "The focus is on refreshing the store in a noticeable, but attractive way, but in a way that still feels like Cracker Barrel. For example, in some locations, guests will see different, new more comfortable booth and banquette seating options. The stores are also testing lighter paint options, new fixtures and lighting, and repositioning décor – all changes designed to enhance the guest experience by providing an environment that feels lighter, brighter, fresher, and cleaner." sanfel - Getty Images A commenter on Reddit who says he's a maintenance worker at Cracker Barrel entered the chat and gave an insightful opinion, writing, "These remodels are soooo needed, y'all!" He continues to explain that it's all about keeping the restaurants clean, writing, "First off, the lattice being taken down is a huge improvement because it collects tons of dust. Not having to deal with that means less dirt buildup and a cleaner atmosphere the lighter colors in the remodel aren't just for looks—they actually help us spot dirt and messes more easily. Try cleaning brown off of a brown wall! With the new colors, we can make sure every corner is spotless." The employee continues to explain, "Another huge win is that the old decor, like globes and lanterns, used to need meticulous cleaning every night. While they were part of the charm, they also trapped dust and grease. With less of that to worry about, we can focus on keeping the store clean in ways that truly matter, and the cleaning process has become so much more efficient." Have you noticed a change at your Cracker Barrel? You Might Also Like
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cracker Barrel Employee Explains the Real Reason Behind Decor Changes: "Where Are the Rocking Chairs?"
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." We get it—change is hard. And that applies to just about everything in our lives, from relationships to jobs to our favorite restaurants. Beloved Cracker Barrel has been switching things up lately, and some longtime customers are having trouble adjusting. Select Cracker Barrel locations have been updating their decor, and a recent remodel in Smyrna, Tennessee, is getting some buzz on social media. One person on Tik Tok shared a video of a bright white space and captioned it, "What in the Chip and Joanna Gaines is going on here?" On another video, viewers noticed that the rocking chairs seemed to have been replaced by Adirondack chairs, and the antiques were scaled way back. One commented, "I'm having an unreasonable amount of rage about this." Last year, a Cracker Barrel representative told Country Living that 25-30 locations are undergoing a "pilot remodel test" as a part of a multi-year strategic transformation plan. According to the rep, "The focus is on refreshing the store in a noticeable, but attractive way, but in a way that still feels like Cracker Barrel. For example, in some locations, guests will see different, new more comfortable booth and banquette seating options. The stores are also testing lighter paint options, new fixtures and lighting, and repositioning décor – all changes designed to enhance the guest experience by providing an environment that feels lighter, brighter, fresher, and cleaner." sanfel - Getty Images A commenter on Reddit who says he's a maintenance worker at Cracker Barrel entered the chat and gave an insightful opinion, writing, "These remodels are soooo needed, y'all!" He continues to explain that it's all about keeping the restaurants clean, writing, "First off, the lattice being taken down is a huge improvement because it collects tons of dust. Not having to deal with that means less dirt buildup and a cleaner atmosphere the lighter colors in the remodel aren't just for looks—they actually help us spot dirt and messes more easily. Try cleaning brown off of a brown wall! With the new colors, we can make sure every corner is spotless." The employee continues to explain, "Another huge win is that the old decor, like globes and lanterns, used to need meticulous cleaning every night. While they were part of the charm, they also trapped dust and grease. With less of that to worry about, we can focus on keeping the store clean in ways that truly matter, and the cleaning process has become so much more efficient." Have you noticed a change at your Cracker Barrel? You Might Also Like
Indianapolis Star
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
🌼 Joanna Gaines just dropped a new Hearth & Hand with Magnolia spring line at Target!
AI-assisted summary Joanna Gaines just dropped a new Hearth & Hand with Magnolia spring collection at Target. The collection features outdoor entertaining items like serving platters, kiddie pools and planters. Prices start at $4 and the collection is available in-store and online. The internet's favorite hostess just unveiled a new spring home collection that's designed to help you conquer the season in style. ICYMI: Joanna Gaines released a new addition to her popular Hearth & Hand with Magnolia line at Target, with a focus on all things spring and outdoor hosting. In typical Magnolia fashion, the collection reimagines the season's most treasured staples with a whimsical (and colorful) twist—think scalloped serving plates, plaid kiddie pools and rattan planters that are primed for indoor or outdoor use. Despite the elevated nature of the Target launch, prices start at just $4 and offer something for every type of host to shop—whether you're planning a backyard pool party, barbecue with friends or a neighborhood block party ahead of Memorial Day. . Hearth and Hand with Magnolia Vintage Wood Radio and Bluetooth Speaker Infuse a vintage flair into your next outdoor party with this wood radio that's equipped with all the bells and whistles of a modern Bluetooth speaker. $50 at Target Hearth and Hand with Magnolia Woven Paper Picnic Basket Tote What better way to enjoy the spring weather than with an outdoor picnic in your backyard or local park? This basket tote will help you transport all of your picnic essentials with ease. $30 at Target Hearth and Hand with Magnolia Plaid Inflatable Kiddie Pool No pool, no problem. Treat your kiddos to a day filled with water play, courtesy of this stylish kiddie pool that won't stick out like an eyesore in your backyard. $40 at Target Hearth and Hand with Magnolia Textured Kitchen Towels Round out your spring kitchen decor with these textured towels that'll add a welcomed pop of color. $10 at Target Shop Hearth & Hand with Magnolia spring arrivals Don't miss out! Get weekly deals, trends and product recommendations from USA TODAY Shopping delivered straight to your inbox. What is Hearth & Hand with Magnolia? Hearth & Hand with Magnolia is one of Target's best-selling collections—with Target-exclusive products that are available both in store and online. It was created in partnership with the founders behind the famous Magnolia brand, Chip and Joanna Gaines, and frequently releases new seasonal collections which include a range of products like kitchenware, home furnishings, decor and more. How to shop the Hearth & Hand with Magnolia collection: The entire Hearth & Hand with Magnolia line is available to shop exclusively at Target. Mattress shopping? Get free white glove delivery and up to $600 off Saatva mattresses Worried about tariffs? Switch to a budget-friendly phone plan to save on monthly bills Save up to $1,456 on Gordon Ramsay-approved HexClad cookware Save up to $600 on sustainable sleeper seating at Sabai Design's sale 77% off a lifetime Microsoft Office license ends soon! Grab this deal while you can
