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Joanna Gaines Shares How She Copes with Negative Opinions in the Media

Photo from Joanna Gaines Instagram

Joanna Gaines Shares How She Copes with Negative Opinions in the Media

By Movieguide® Staff

Magnolia founder Joanna Gaines recently discussed the toll that fame has on her family but offered several healthy ways to cope with the negativity.

Gaines published an essay called “A Time for Forward Motion” in the Magnolia Journal.

“Some years ago, Chip and I found ourselves in a world we’d never known with no instructions or road map,” wrote Joanna, who co-founded their now booming Magnolia brand alongside her husband of 17 years, Chip.

“When our show took off, we couldn’t have imagined all the beauty and blessings that would follow for us and for our family — all of which we’re continually grateful for,” Joanna said, referencing the duo’s first show FIXER UPPER. “But it didn’t take us long to realize that being a part of this new reality also meant being a part of the news cycle. Stories get written about us, about our family, our plans, our supposed beliefs and politics.’ We’ve been through it enough now to know that it’s just part of the territory, and a lot of times it’s so unbelievable we can’t help but laugh.”

However, the mother of five confessed that sometimes the negative comments and opinions are hard to ignore.

“Every now and then, a headline or story will strike a nerve regardless of how off the mark it may be. Those times are harder to reconcile because we’re human, and the idea that ‘it’s just part of the territory’ doesn’t make untrue accusations any less painful,” Joanna wrote, adding that Chip is generally better at laughing off the headlines.

“Then there’s me, the one who wants to right the wrong. Who wants to call foul because I thought we all knew to play fair,” Joanna said.

Some of the negative accusations have come due to Joanna and Chip’s faith.

Movieguide® previously reported:

Chip and Joanna Gaines, FIXER UPPER duo and founders of the Magnolia Network, said that God revealed himself in their relationship despite their opposite personalities.

For Joanna, God used Chip to push her out of her comfort zone and take more risks.

“I feel like God had a funny way of bringing me Chip to almost have this reality of what it’s like to follow Christ, which is a lot of the things are going to push you to a place of discomfort,” Joanna said. “It helps me get it out there, because it’s healthier to be out there than it is just let it all kind of play in my mind.”

“I don’t want to be in the box anymore. I don’t want to play it safe because where the impact is is over here on the other side,” Joanna added. “I was made for a reason, and I need to let whatever God has created me for— that needs to be known. I don’t need to stay hidden.”

Although Joanna is candid about her insecurities as a young girl, she said Chip played a significant role in how she viewed herself and her faith.

“My walk with God when I was little and all the way up until like my 20s was always if you play by the rules, you’ll be blessed,” Joanna said. “But then I met Chip, and I feel like now it’s when you take a step out in faith when it makes absolutely no sense, I think that’s where the greater reward is. There’s no telling where that will take you.”

Joanna shared more in Magnolia Journal, writing, “I know I’m not the only one who has felt this way—misunderstood, misrepresented, missed altogether. Not by a long stretch. And I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of feeling stuck in the muck and mire of a social culture that is robbing us all of deep and true connection—of joy, peace, honest understanding, and empathy.”

The popular homemaker continued: “Maybe you are too. And maybe now is the time to declare that we’re not willing to give that up. Not yet. Not when they are the very things that make life worth living and loving.

“We have somehow fooled ourselves into thinking that real connection is too hard to come by these days. But I’ve witnessed too many moments that prove otherwise. A shared moment of beauty, a glimpse of humor, of lightness, of heroic pursuits, of people living for one another—and I’m convinced all over again that there is more light than dark, more life than death, more hope than anger, more joy than sorrow, more gratitude among us than we sometimes remember. So let’s fight for a world that won’t so easily forget. A world that is slow to anger and rich in compassion. A world that would rather be loving than be right. A world that keeps moving forward. And I can think of no better time than now,” Joanna concluded.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.