Highlights
- Chip and Joanna Gaines have built an impressive empire with a combined net worth of $50 million while raising their five children.
- Fans have noticed a change in their dynamic on ‘Fixer Upper,’ with some suggesting they need to ‘fixer upper’ their marriage.
- Despite challenges and rough patches, Chip and Joanna have remained committed to each other, with divorce never being an option for them.
The on-screen and off-screen interactions between Chip and Joanna Gaines have become visibly different from what they were when the pair first started hosting their famous home improvement show Fixer Upper in 2013.
The hardworking couple have created their empire from the ground up and amassed a combined net worth of $50 million. While they were building their businesses, however, they were also building a family. They have been raising their five children in a stunning Victorian-style home in Crawford, Texas, near Waco.
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Despite their professional success, their marriage appears to have gone through some rough patches, with fans saying that the couple needs to “fixer upper” their marriage. Could this be the reason behind the said changes in Chip and Joanna’s relationship on Fixer Upper?
Chip And Joanna Gaines “Couldn’t Stand Each Other” On Fixer Upper: The Castle
When Chip and Joanna Gaines launched their TV series Fixer Upper in 2013, fans immediately seemed to love their dynamic. Chip was known for being the goofy one, while Joanna appeared calmer and more level-headed.
While they seemed to be rocking it professionally, some fans nonetheless noticed some moments during the show that had them thinking there might be trouble in paradise. In a Reddit thread, fans pointed to specific instances in newer episodes, where Chip came off as a nuisance to Joanna, who “didn’t seem to enjoy his antics anymore.”
Chip & Joanna Gaines’ Fixer Upper Franchise:
Title |
Released |
Dates |
---|---|---|
Fixer Upper |
HGTV |
2013-2018 |
Fixer Upper: Behind the Design |
HGTV |
2018 |
Fixer Upper: Welcome Home |
Magnolia Network via Discovery Plus |
2021 |
Fixer Upper: The Castle |
Magnolia Network via Discovery Plus |
2022 |
Fixer Upper: The Hotel |
Magnolia Network via Discovery Plus |
2023 |
Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse |
Magnolia Network via Discovery Plus |
2024 |
The Gaineses’ relationship particularly came under scrutiny in the 2022 spin-off miniseries Fixer Upper: The Castle was “almost unrecognizable” compared to the early days of the show: “It’s like watching a couple that’s trying not to argue in front of the kids,” the viewer commented, adding that they found the dynamic “so hard to watch.”
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In an interview with Access Hollywood, the couple pushed back. Chip explained that despite enduring rough patches in their marriage, divorce had never been an option. “We have issues and trials and errors just like anybody, but divorce or leaving one another is not really an option for us,” he said, as was later reported by Yahoo! Entertainment.
Chip And Joanna Gaines Are Said To Be Polar Opposites Of Each Other On Set
Chip and Joanna Gaines might have great chemistry once the cameras start rolling, but they are otherwise said to be polar opposites of each other on set. “Watching them on Fixer Upper, you can see how their different personalities complement each other, but it also seems like it can be a source of tension,” observed one fan.
According to a Reddit user who claimed to have worked on three of their shows, the couple have quite contrasting personalities, which is usually apparent, even behind the scenes.
“Chip is loud and obnoxious like he is on TV, but in a harmless jock way,” the user said. “He’s friendly and definitely plays up his personality for the camera, but that’s part of making good TV.”
In stark contrast, they characterized Joanna as a “consummate professional” who “doesn’t like filming more than she has to. They also described her as “a one-take wonder,” who is “incredibly natural in front of the camera.”
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In an interview with TODAY, Chip acknowledged that the only reason their personal and professional relationships had lasted as long was because of her perseverance. “Ten years ago, certainly 20 years ago, when we first started, I thought I was extremely charming,” he said. “[But] after 20 years, I think [she’s] just got a very high grace threshold.”
Has Fame Changed Chip And Joanna Gaines?
If fans are right, and indeed the interactions between Chip and Joanna Gaines have changed for the worse over the years, it might also point to a change in personality for one or both of them. But has fame played its part in any such transformation, if at all?
There are those who appear to believe that success may have played a part in altering the couple’s dynamic. “I haven’t really noticed a real change in their relationship; however, I would not be surprised that success changes them,” a Reddit user commented.
This shift could be attributed to their professional interactions taking precedence over spousal intimacy, according to another. “[Chip and Joanna] literally run an empire now,” they noted, suggesting that their public interactions were more “business-like and professional” rather than affectionate.
Another user drew a comparison to the relationship of HGTV star Kortney Wilson, who also hosted a home improvement show alongside her husband (Dave Wilson), but ended up divorcing him after turmoil in their union. “Yup, reality shows kill marriages. Look at my beloved Dave and Kortney Wilson,” the fan wrote.
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Chip did get into trouble for comments he once made about wealth and fame in a social media exchange on X. In response to a joke by a fan, he said, “Money is boring.. everybody’s got money.” This comment was seen by fans as out of touch, with one user writing, “Said by someone who doesn’t have to worry about money.”
What Have Other People Said About Working With Chip And Joanna Gaines?
Fans might have their opinions about Chip and Joanna Gaines’ relationship dynamics over the years, but many within the crew complement say they have enjoyed working with the pair on the show.
Hatley Moore, a former producer on Fixer Upper openly shared his experience working with the Gaineses in an interview with Bleep Mag in 2018. He had great things to say about working on Fixer Upper, calling it “a special time” and praising the positive vibes between employees. Moore said that he became part of Chip and Joanna’s “tight-knit family,” and enjoyed watching their rise to fame.
Another producer, Michael Matsumoto, had a similarly positive experience. He spoke about how he and his family enjoyed living in Waco, and appreciated the community they built with the Gaines there. Matsumoto praised the special projects featured in the final season, and expressed overall satisfaction with his time on the show.
Despite these overwhelmingly positive accounts from those who worked behind the scenes on Fixer Upper, some fans continue to speculate that fame may have introduced challenges to Chip and Joanna’s relationship.