Summary
- Chip and Joanna Gaines faced a multi-million dollar lawsuit from their former literary agent over a contract dispute involving book publications and profits.
- Despite facing criticism and challenges throughout their career, the couple has continued to build their brand and business, releasing multiple bestselling books that reflect their friendly and relatable style.
- Chip and Joanna have remained mostly quiet about the lawsuit, but they have shown resilience and a commitment to their work, sharing their personal and professional experiences with their fans through their books.
Chip and Joanna Gaines have been on an intense ride for the past decade or so. Their HGTV series Fixer Upper was such a big hit that it led to their own TV network, Magnolia. The couple also has a brand that includes a magazine, cafes, public appearances, and huge social media platforms.
It hasn't all been easy, though. Homeowners have criticized Chip and Joanna and not everyone is pleased with the renovations and work that they have done. While Chip and Joanna have celebrated the publication of several books, their literary ambitions haven't been an entirely smooth experience, either. What happened when a literary agent sued Chip and Joanna Gaines?
What Is The Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit Involving Joanna And Chip Gaines?
In 2018, Joanna and Chip Gaines had to pay some money because the Environmental Protection Agency realized that they used lead paint. This isn't the only problem that they have had to deal with, however.
In December 2022, TMZ reported that a literary agent sued Joanna and Chip Gaines.
According to TMZ, Chip and Joanna Gaines signed with David Vigliano from Vigliano Associates. He negotiated a contract that said that they would write five books that would be published by HarperCollins. The contract was for $12.5 million and dates back to 2017.
As Vigliano claimed, Joanna and Chip decided that Chip would write one book by himself. They also thought they should only have to publish four books instead of five. But because the contract was for books that Joanna wrote, the fact that Chip's name was on a book meant that their literary agent wasn't going to make as much.
According to The Daily Mail, the couple was represented by Westport Entertainment Associates LLC. They then switched to United Talents Agency once two of Joanna's books had come out.
The Daily Mail also reported that Vigliano Associates is looking for a trial, $1 million at a minimum because of "damages," and "7.5% of total advances, bonuses, and royalties."
Joanna and Chip Gaines have co-authored one book together called "The Magnolia Story," which was published in 2016. The book goes into detail about the couple's journey and how they built their brand and business. Since then, Joanna has written three cookbooks called "The Magnolia Table" along with her 2022 memoir "The Stories We Tell: Every Piece Of Your Story Matters." These cookbooks are definitely a big part of the Magnolia/Fixer Upper brand since they have a down-home, down-to-earth kind of vibe.
In 2019, Joanna's children's book called "We Are The Gardeners" was published. The following year, Joanna's design book "Homebody: A Guide To Creating Spaces You Never Want To Leave" was available, along with her second children's book "The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be."
Chip has written two books: "Capital Gaines: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff," which was published in 2017. A few years later, he wrote "No Pain, No Gaines: The Good Stuff Doesn't Come Easy," which came out in 2021.
Did Joanna And Chip Gaines Talk About The Book Lawsuit?
It doesn't appear that Joanna and Chip Gaines have commented on their former literary agent suing them. There also aren't any updates since the story broke in December 2022.
It's possible that, since it hasn't even been one year since the lawsuit began, the situation is still ongoing. Fans might hear more if it is settled.
In the past, the Fixer Upper couple has been criticized quite a lot. Sometimes they talk about how they feel about a certain situation, and sometimes, they stay quiet.
According to Country Living, in 2018, Daryl Austin wrote a piece for USA Today and said that the Gaines have such busy lives now. They wrote, “Frankly, I wonder where they even find the time to brush their teeth, let alone spend quality, one-on-one time with each child daily.”
Chip wasn't happy with that. In April 2018, he tweeted, "I dont know daryl, & he clearly doesnt know me. But for the record: If there is ever a need w/ my family (1st), I'll shut this circus down so fast it will make your head spin. BUT jo & I believe, w/ God anything is possible. Including having an amazing family AND career you love."
The couple seems to enjoy sharing the things that they have experienced in their personal and professional lives. They have spent the last few years writing books and each one has its own focus, although the couple's friendly and relatable brand is always front and center.
In an interview with People, Joanna and Chip Gaines talked about Chip's book "Capital Gaines" and Joanna said that Chip is known for talking a lot about his life.
Joanna told People, “When we were first dating, Chip and his buddies would sit around and tell ‘Chip stories’: all the crazy stuff he did. And I thought, ‘These guys are lying. This guy didn’t do this stuff.’ Then I got married to him and I’m like, ‘He is crazy.’"
As for Joanna, she seems to genuinely like sharing her design tips with her fanbase. While there are often negative stories about Chip and Joanna Gaines, they seem to stay positive throughout it all, and they remain committed to their business.
Joanna spoke to Elle Decor about her 2020 book "Homebody" and shared what she thinks people should focus on when working on their home.
Joanna said, "First, take the words design and style out of your vocabulary. It's most important to think, 'what is the story I'm trying to tell?' Once you do that, a lot of the weight falls off and the rules go away. You abandon the process of trying to choose right from wrong, and embrace the idea that what matters most is creating a home that is meaningful. Don't be intimidated, because the process at it's core isn't actually intimidating. That's when the everything becomes really fun."
