The Wades Are Making Waves As TV's Newest House Flippers
Admit it, HGTV is lit. We're all guilty of indulging in the extravagant property transformations and quirky relationship dynamics that DIY reality shows like Fixer Upper or Flip or Flop have to offer, but one of our favorite couples is about to add some color to the renovation game and we are here for it.
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade recently announced that they are taking a step away from their rigorous professional careers to become television's newest house flippers.
HGTV said in a release that the show would feature the couple fixing up an outdated ranch style-home in an up-and-coming Miami neighborhood on the HGTV half-hour special, All-Star Flipper. Union and Wade will collaborate with their construction team to add value and square footage to the property by adding a second-story master suite and transforming the home into a sleek and modern showplace that will be sold to a fellow Floridian.
The superstar couple is proud to call Florida "home" again after Wade's highly publicized trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers to back to the Miami Heat.
According to Union, she's always had a passion for remodeling and says that their latest project idea came after renovating her own home. She said:
"Ever since we renovated our house a few years ago, I've been a little real-estate obsessed.It took a while, but I finally convinced Dwyane that we should try flipping a house."
Wade added:
"And we're doing it to raise money for charity. So how could I say no?"
Move over Chip and JoAnna.
The DIY renovation market is thriving, but it's rare that we see black couples at the forefront of these renovations. Flipping the Heartland premiered on HGTV in 2015 and starred married YouTubers Daniel and Melinda Wiafe who sought to remodel homes in the Tulsa area, but the series unfortunately only lasted on air for one 13-episode season. Also, in 2017, HGTV announced Fort Worth couple Ashley and Andy Williams as the new hosts of Flip Or Flop, but aside from these examples, Union and Wade are among the first couples of color to shake up the market.
And it's about damn time.
Union and Wade first announced their collaboration with HGTV using the hashtag #TheWadeUnion when they were house hunting in 2016, but there was no release date. Now, we finally get a glimpse at the Wade's DIY remodeling skills for one night only, but we certainly hope that the network takes the hint and adds more color to their reality TV roster.
You can catch our favorite couple buy, flip, and sell their Miami fixer upper on HGTV April 12 at 9:30 ET/PT. This project will serve as the Wade family's latest act of giving back, as the proceeds from the property sale will be donated to a charity of their choosing. Union and Wade are setting a trend of generosity among entertainers and also donated $200,000 to March for Our Lives fundraiser last month.
Representation is important in all genres of media, because black women love granite countertops, quaint breakfast nooks, and big ass farm sinks too, damn it.
Featured image via HGTV
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage