Chip and Joanna Gaines: ‘Throwing in the Towel’ Was Never an Option
By Movieguide® Staff
FIXER UPPER stars Chip and Joanna Gaines recently told ACCESS HOLLYWOOD that divorce was never an option for the couple who experienced unique pressures in the spotlight.
Ahead of their official launch of their Magnolia Network on July 15, the Gaines said that after five children and 18 years of marriage, they are “in it forever.”
“One thing that I would say our superpower is, is that Jo and I are not quitters,” Chip said. “Throwing in the towel is not something that honestly ever even comes to mind. And I would say that happened pretty early in our relationship where we just thought that divorce or leaving one another is never even an option for us.
“And so somehow that little foundation has really served us well because things have definitely been challenging,” he added. “We’re not perfect, and we have issues and trials and errors just like anybody. But I would say that it’s funny when you say ‘throwing in the towel.’ In fairness, I would admit if we had considered it along the way. But relationally, we’re in it forever.”
Movieguide® previously reported on the Christian couple’s marriage:
In a 2016 interview with I Am Second, Chip and Joanna explained how their differences helped them pursue their careers and trust God with the outcome.
“Joanna is like the purest, most stable person I’ve ever met,” Chip said. “I would have been the guy on a horseback riding off into the wilderness. I mean, that’s who I sort of was by nature. And Jo could not be more opposite than that.”
“I have learned so much about order and structure and processes through my wife,” Chip continued.
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.”
Despite COVID-related delays, their Magnolia Network launches on July 15.
“We can’t believe it,” Chip said. “We are not worthy. This is not real. This must be a dream. I can say that we are just freaking out. We are so excited. When we hear you say, ‘how does this feel?’ this makes us remember that this is, in fact, real, and … it makes us kind of scared. We’re nervous.”
