Chip and Joanna Gaines were the stars of “Fixer Upper,” a popular HGTV home renovation show in Waco, Texas. The show ran for five seasons from 2013 to 2018. Chip Gaines became a household name in the industry, but what happened to him after the show ended?
Despite the show being incredibly popular, “Fixer Upper” only aired for a few seasons. In late September 2017, Vox reported that Chip and Joanna announced that the fifth season would be their last. The couple listed their reasons for ending the show, including needing to rest and pay more attention to their family.
RELATED: The Downfall of Chip and Joanna Gaines
However, Yahoo Entertainment reported that they weren’t off of TV for long at all. Instead of appearing on HGTV again, the duo announced that they would be returning to TV on their own channel. Magnolia Network officially launched in 2022, with Chip and Joanna starring in several shows in the last few years, including “Fixer Upper: The Hotel” and “Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse.”
Destination Waco serves as a reference for tourists visiting Waco, Texas. They shared that the couple also have several businesses in the area, including a coffee shop, a seed and supply store, a baking company, a shopping center, and others.
Chip and Joanna Were Fined by the EPA
Off the television and outside of their business, Chip Gaines has experienced some troubling times throughout his long career. US Weekly reported that Chip has been through a number of scandals that many fans may not know even happened.
First of all, he was sued by two former business partners. They alleged that he persuaded them to sell their interest in his company (Magnolia Realty) just before “Fixer Upper” premiered for only $2,500 each.
According to them, he didn’t say that the show would be broadcast on HGTV across the USA. He also failed to mention that the Magnolia brand would be frequently talked about and featured in the show. Many years later, Chip settled with the former partners out of court.
RELATED: What’s Wrong with Rachael Ray?
Chip and his wife also landed in hot water with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a few years ago. According to the EPA, they broke the Renovating, Remodeling, and Painting Rule (RRP Rule) on the show, when they didn’t take the proper steps to minimize lead exposure when working on older homes.
They were forced to pay a $40,000 fine for the infraction. In addition to that, they also donated funds to help decrease lead paint hazards in Waco homes and created content to educate others about the dangers of lead exposure.
Since “Fixer Upper” became a major success, it’s had a noticeable impact on the real estate and tourist markets in Waco. Home prices in the city have gotten more expensive, property taxes have risen, and there is much more tourism and a greater desire for short-term rentals there as well. All of this has pushed some people out of Waco, as they can no longer afford to live there.
