The HGTV star reflects upon the car accident that changed his career. He also looks back at the changes in home renovation shows since Trading Spaces.

Ty Pennington is TV's most trusted carpenter and host of home renovations since 2000. But he almost made it big in a different profession: male model.

The 58-year old HGTV star, revealed earlier this year that he first got his big break when he was 27 as a male model and was featured on the cover of J. Crew catalog -- before a "horrible accident" changed his career.

"I love the way we say trajectory because that's exactly what it was." Pennington laughed as he spoke with TooFab about the new season on "Rock the Block," which is back for its fourth season on HGTV.

Pennington shared a recreation and the original image of the January cover. He explained in his caption that he was "catapulted out from a barreling jeep and sliding across a razor-sharp road on my backside" one week after he learned he had been chosen for the cover. He said, "Somehow I survived... but my buttocks unfortunately did not."

His modeling career was ended in his wake by the crash and subsequent "staples, stitches" He said that the portfolio photos were used as toilet paper after someone broke into his brother’s car. Looking back, Ty has an admirable perspective on the whole thing and how it led to him where he is today.

"Everyone knows that a career as a male model is a lucrative one. I was making maybe $100 per day, but it's interesting to me that I felt like I had finally achieved my goal with the J. He shared that Crew cover, the phone was going to go off the hook and the universe literally took me out of that future." "I didn't know it at the time, but it forced me back to construction work. I wouldn't have gone to the audition for Trading Spaces if I hadn't been back in construction. Because my agency didn't call me anymore.

He said that he has always tried to get through any opportunity that presented itself because you never know what it might lead to. He also stated that modeling helped him to feel comfortable in front of the camera which would be a huge advantage when he got a job on TV. "To this day I believe people hire me because they make other people feel comfortable on camera. He said, "Like, that's mine gift." But, he also added, "But yeah, it's funny that there's a path we don't even realize is being laid for us."

Pennington started his career in TLC's "Trading Spaces" in 2000. He then went on to host "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" and many other shows on HGTV such as "Rock the Block" or "Battle on the Beach". The landscape of home renovation has changed a lot over the past 20 years, even though Pennington's first show gave only $1,000 to renovate one room.

"Trading Spaces is in many ways the first show to give tools to homeowners, and it made us all DIY-ers. Pennington said that Pennington loves to see the evolution of it all. "We are now at the point where so many images are appearing on our screens that people are more open to taking design risks now that they have seen so many.

It's just like how we are with food. We used to eat only iceberg lettuce, but now we're eating a lot more. He said that it's the same with design, and added that the variety and willingness of viewers to take risks have made the show more interesting.

"That's why I want to be dazzled visual. I'm an expert on what's out there and what we can do, so I don't need a blank canvas. He said, "I want to see some good designs."

Four teams of HGTV stars renovate identical homes measuring 5,000 square feet on the same Colorado cul de sac. Each team has a budget of $250,000. The pair that adds the greatest value to the property is the winner. Ty hosts the show. Other competitors include Jonathan Knight, a New Kids on the Block alum, and Kristina Crestin, Bryan and Sarah Baeumler from "Renovation Island," Michael Smith Boyd (Luxe or Less), and Page Turner and Mitch Glew of "Fix My Flip."

"Look, Trading Spaces, we were doing rooms at $1,000. It's like The Beatles playing Germany in these dive clubs. Ty said that you learn your trade when the extras are taken out of under someone, and pull the rug out." He then made comparisons between his earlier days and the current project. "But that's what I believe happens when you take these artists and designers and put them in a space they have never walked. It's only six weeks for them to finish this thing. That's what I love most about it.

"I don't find it easy to be impressed, but I've been doing this for a while. These kitchens are amazing, each and every one. It's obvious that this is going be an exciting season. There's so many flavors. It was a lot of work and the guys were tired. I'm proud of them. Jonathan is a rock star on stage and on the streets. I was surprised to learn that. No joke. "He really worked his arse off, I'm impressed."

Knight and his co-stars had to do some hard work, but Pennington was happy to watch the rest of the team at work.

"I'm like, "Hallelujah! I have made this!" He exclaimed, "I'm finally the guy that doesn't need to sweat and can barely stand up on the ladder anymore!" "Being the host is great, but I'm also very competitive so I'm wondering what I would do."

"I understand that sometimes people need to ask themselves if they are making the right decision. Are I moving in the right direction? Who would have thought that I'd be the voice for reason? "He added about his motivational talks with the competitors. "Sometimes, we question ourselves, especially when the entire world is going to be watching. This is the pressure I see in people and I love the fact that I have enough experience so I can say, "No man, you guys keep the course, you're on track."

This advice is also applicable to Pennington's career. Watch him perform today on HGTV's "Rock the Block", which airs March 6.

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Title: Rock the Block's Ty Pennington Was Nearly a Male Model, But Life Had Other Plans (Exclusive)
Sourced From: toofab.com/2023/03/06/ty-pennington-rock-the-block-interview/
Published Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2023 21:47:47 +0000

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