In late September 2017, Chip and Joanna Gaines announced the conclusion of their tremendously successful home renovation TV series, Fixer Upper, which has captivated fans since its premiere in 2013.
Their poignant letter, posted in a post, showed both regret and excitement as they disclosed that the show’s fifth season would be final. “It is with mixed feelings that we share the news that Season 5 will be our final,” they wrote.
They reflected on the melancholy parting, acknowledging their show’s significant influence on families across the country. “It’s painful to say goodbye to the very thing that brought us all together and allowed our families to grow alongside each other, with your unwavering support reaching us through the television screen.”
While Chip and Joanna have stated their intention to settle down and spend more time with their children, questions have been raised regarding their future as a picture-perfect, traditional couple.
Aside from the difficulties of sustaining a solid relationship, they are embroiled in external dramas that may lead to disagreements.
We’re concerned about Chip and Joanna’s marriage and their expanding business: Chip is currently entangled in a lawsuit alleging fraud.
Chip was sued in April 2017 by his former business partners, John L. Lewis and Richard L. Clark, who accused him of fraud.
According to the court paperwork obtained by KWTX, Chip tricked his associates into selling their Magnolia Realty stock soon before the TV show Fixer Upper was announced.
According to the lawsuit, Chip engineered his partners’ dismissal to reap the benefits of Magnolia Realty’s involvement with the show alone.
The lawsuit claims “at a critical juncture when only the defendants were aware of Fixer Upper’s accelerated production and its imminent impact on their lives and business ventures.”
The lawsuit, which seeks more than $1 million in damages and non-monetary compensation, also cites alleged instances of Chip threatening Clark and Lewis via text messages.
Chip angrily rejected the claims in return. Before filing the complaint, he denied that Lewis and Clark had contacted him regarding their Magnolia Realty shares.
Chip turned to Twitter to express his surprise, writing, “By the way, I’ve had the same cell phone number for 15 years and the same email address for 20 years.” Did anyone pick up the phone or send an email? Four years later, ‘friends’ filed a lawsuit. Hmmm.”
Chip’s attorney told Fox News he was confident in fighting the allegations. “We are confident that these allegations will be proven false,” the lawyer said. “It’s disheartening to see people try to take advantage of Chip and Joanna Gaines’ hard work and success.”
However, the reporter said Lewis and Clark’s counsel provided a different perspective, implying that they contacted Chip. The attorney indicated that once Chip forwarded the matter to his legal agent, there were negotiations between the attorneys.
With a four-year statute of limitations in Texas for these charges, the attorney argued that bringing a lawsuit became the only realistic option because settling became impossible due to the parties’ unwillingness to negotiate.
Aside from the legal issues, Chip and Joanna were accused of homophobia. The couple’s membership in Antioch Community Church, notorious for its opposition to same-sex partnerships and apparent support for disputed LGBT conversion therapy, prompted harsh condemnation.
The claims triggered a storm of criticism aimed at Chip, Joanna, and their show. HGTV quickly responded, rejecting charges of homophobia and claiming that none of their programs discriminate against members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The network reaffirmed its commitment to portraying characters from all walks of life.
Before expressing his thoughts on the Buzzfeed article and following the controversy, Chip supported the journalists involved and expressed his respect for them.
He advised people to approach the situation compassionately and avoid speculating whether they would publish a formal statement. Chip’s tweets emphasized the need to treat others with love and respect, regardless of their differences.
Joanna has opted to remain mute on the subject of homosexuality for the time being, keeping her own beliefs private.
Furthermore, Chip and Joanna’s relationship could be strained if they have opposing opinions on growing their family. The couple’s negative views on having additional children have been a source of anxiety, with the possibility of a breach or, at the very least, battle inside their marriage.
They have two daughters, Ella and Emmie Kay, and two sons, Drake and Duke.
Joanna mentioned her intention to persuade Chip to have another kid during an AOL Build Series event in October 2016. Her desire to grow their family was reinforced in June 2017 when she discussed the potential of another baby or twins.
Joanna emphasized her children’s demands, especially Emmie’s sudden openness to having a younger brother, which she saw as a promising indicator.
In a playful answer, Chip joked that Emmie might be losing her mind when the family discussed a new addition.
His words revealed a different point of view, indicating that he believed they had attained the optimal number of children and that their family was complete.
Their body language, in addition to their verbal expressions, has been scrutinized, casting doubt on the strength of their bond. Chip shows his trademark warmth and joy in the Fixer-Upper farewell video, always smiling.
However, Joanna’s mood appears uneasy, as if she is on the edge of tears or is trying to keep her emotions in check.
Body language experts made an interesting remark about their seating arrangement. Despite sitting beside each other and holding hands, Joanna’s legs are turned away from Chip, indicating a possible withdrawal or lack of desire on her behalf.
Finally, the conclusion of Fixer Upper was a watershed moment in Chip and Joanna Gaines’ lives.
While their decision to leave the show was motivated by a desire to prioritize family and personal growth, concerns about their relationship, ongoing legal battles, homophobia accusations, diverging views on expanding their family, and subtle signs of disconnected body language have cast doubt on the future of their marriage and empire.
Only time will tell how they navigate these difficulties and whether their bond will endure the current strains.