Honest Renovations returns for its second season on The Roku Channel on August 23rd. The series follows co-hosts Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis as they work with families to renovate their homes.
Ahead of the Season 2 premiere, MobileSyrup spoke with Alba and Mathis to learn more about what to expect.
When you set out to make Season 2, what were some of the things you wanted to do differently or expand upon this time around?
Jessica Alba: I think one of the key elements is just being able to showcase more diversity in our families.
Lizzy Mathis: I think diversity all around. So when we think about diversity, you instantly think of different ethnicities and things like that, of course, which is a big deal, obviously, for me and Jess. But also different family structures and different family types. I was raised in a single-parent household, so that was important for us to show. We both had multi-generational families in our household, so grandparents living in the house – that was a big thing to show this year. Same-sex couples was a really great thing to show that we were able to tap into this year. So, different ways that people can relate about how families are structured was a big important thing for us, too.
Alba: Another one is just having different ages and stages of children. So that was also the diversity we wanted to showcase. We have teenagers and kids who are out of the house and in college or working, and they come home for summers and for holidays in one of our families. Others, we have a one-year-old baby and she’s a first-time mom. And others, they have triplets and a bonus baby. And they’re all young in preschool and in primary school. So being able to just show also the diversity of different ages and stages of kids was really important to us.
One of the highlights of the first season was how vulnerable and emotional it could get with the families. What did you learn about navigating those spaces in Season One that you’ve brought into Season Two to inform your approach for working with the families?
Mathis: I think just take our time. I think that you have to realize that when a family lets you into their house, we’re strangers to them. They don’t know us, we don’t know them. And so that first meeting that you see on camera is the first meeting that we’re having with this family. And so we want to be as open as possible. We want to be as conscious as possible that this is a very vulnerable moment for them, and just take it easy. We come in with open hearts, open minds, and they do the same. And what you see is a very genuine kind of connection that we’re able to have with all of our families. But really, just taking into consideration that everyone’s challenge is going to be different. Everyone’s transition is different. And we’ve been able to live through a lot of things in our life, and collectively, Jess and I come together as a team to really help the families in any way we can.
You’ve previously talked about how you’re both sort of a yin and yang. Jessica might have more bolder ideas while Lizzy may emphasize the functionality. How has your dynamic in this season evolved? Would you say there are things you’ve learned about each other doing the show that you’ve brought into Season 2?
Alba: I would say that we have a nice balance of being able to make bold decisions, but then also having functional design. That really is the nexus of how we operate and what this show really is about. And also being able to have a wow factor. You don’t really want to see a ‘before and after’ of a space and it look not that different. So we also are considering it feeling and looking satisfying, for the families, for the audience, all of it.
Mathis: Obviously, when we’re working together, we do have a great yin and yang, and we bounce off of each other very well. But this season, we’re really having a great time. I mean, we had a great time in the first season, too, but it’s almost like you settle into it. Last season was our first time doing six houses at one time. So for us, we were feeling like we were constantly juggling in the air at all times, and the emotions of the families and the house design and then each other. And it’s so much happening even behind the scenes. And so this season, I think we settled into it a little bit more. I think we knew what we could bring to the table, even with each other, and we just wanted to have a good time. So it’s fun, and you see that on camera.
Of course, this is a family show, and parents, like yourselves, will obviously get a lot out of it. But others will also be exposed to the show through their families watching it. For instance, I’m not a parent or someone who owns his own home, but I’ve seen my mum watch renovation shows and learned about them through that. So for younger people who are maybe in similar situations, what do you hope they could take away from Honest Renovations?
Alba: I think they’re going to get good tips and tricks, and I think it’s always satisfying, no matter if you’re single or if you have a family, to just watch these before and afters. Before and afters are great. And our show is just a little bit different because we do have a friendship. You do get to giggle with us, and it’s very emotional, and sometimes you might shed a tear and have a little cry, but it’s like the heartwarming, wholesome tear, and it’s fun to go on that journey, no matter if you’re single or if you have a family,
I know it might be hard to pick a standout, but is there a family or story this season that you’re particularly looking forward to showing?
Alba: I love all of them.
Mathis: I love them all. It’s like asking us to pick a favourite child – it’s not going to happen!
Alba: They were all so unique and so different from one another. None of them could possibly replace another. It was a great season.
Mathis: Honestly, I think that we just did a great job this season. I honestly do. Pat our own backs. I’m going to pat your back. [pats Alba’s back]
Alba: [laughs]
Mathis: Because I just feel like our families were just so relatable, and our families were real, and they were going through real things. And I think that sometimes on TV, you see a lot of manufactured drama. And I just think that this show is just so different. It’s just so refreshing. And I think that the audience is going to see it and love it.
Jessica, I have to ask before we go: Deadpool & Wolverine was this big celebration of Marvel’s cinematic history. Chris Evans made an appearance from your Fantastic Four movies, and the end credits scene was this lovely tribute to all the movies that you and your peers made. You popped up in those credits a little bit, too. I was curious: what was your reaction to hearing about that and everyone now looking back on those movies more fondly?
Alba: I loved my time doing Sue Storm in the Marvel Universe. So anytime anybody brings it up, it’s warm and fuzzy feelings because I had a great time. And Fox was ahead of the game, and they were paving the way a lot before Disney bought the Marvel franchise. So yeah, I think it’s cool and I love Disney as well. So I’m a fan of all of it and I was honoured to be part of the Marvel Universe.
Honest Renovations can be streamed for free from Roku devices.
Image credit: Roku
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