The Secret Struggles of a Superstar: What Really Happened to Drew Scott?
For years, the names Drew and Jonathan Scott have been synonymous with dazzling home transformations, playful banter, and the undeniable magic of HGTV’s most-beloved series, Property Brothers. Drew, with his sharp suits and real estate savvy, became a household favorite, the charming anchor of a renovation empire built on dreams and stunning reveals. Yet, beneath the veneer of on-screen perfection and multi-million dollar success, the life of Drew Scott has been a quiet crucible of personal crises, professional turbulence, and deeply emotional challenges that would test the resilience of any family.

While viewers watched the brothers flip houses, they were unaware that behind the scenes, the Scott family was facing a terrifying, mysterious health battle and that Drew and his wife were enduring a deeply personal heartbreak. This is the untold story of the struggles that almost derailed the dynasty, the hidden illnesses that brought them to their knees, and the iron-clad bond that allowed them to emerge stronger than ever.

The Mysterious Illness That Threatened the Family Bond
In 2019, as the seventh season of Property Brothers premiered, a collective whisper started circulating among the show’s devoted fanbase: Drew Scott seemed to be disappearing. His appearances were scarce, his energy subdued, and the internet quickly became a breeding ground for rumors. Media and viewers alike speculated that a bitter internal conflict had erupted between the famously close twin brothers, hinting that Drew was planning a permanent exit—perhaps to launch a cosmetics line with his wife, Linda Phan. The rumors were so persistent that the brothers were forced to publicly dismiss them, confirming that “somebody out there is just trying to create gossip.”

The heartbreaking truth, however, was far more tragic and private than any on-screen squabble. The entire Scott family was facing an agonizing health crisis involving their older brother, James Daniel, or JD Scott.

The “Brad Pitt of the family,” as Drew affectionately calls his elder sibling, was battling a mysterious, life-threatening health condition for over a year. The symptoms were terrifyingly erratic:

His temperature would spike dramatically, often soaring above 100

He suffered from extreme heat sensitivity, feeling as if his “skin was on fire.”

He would experience sudden passing out spells.

Flu-like symptoms and severe gastrointestinal issues plagued him daily.

Watching their older brother, who was unable to engage in any physical activity and was constantly on medication, fighting for his life left Drew and Jonathan feeling powerless. It was a dark, difficult time that brought the family’s dream to the brink of collapse, with Drew deeply affected and unsure if the illness would claim his brother.

Drew’s reduced presence on the show wasn’t a sign of conflict; it was an act of profound fraternal support. He intentionally withdrew to be there for JD emotionally, a sacrifice that demonstrated the deep family values instilled in the brothers since childhood. While Jonathan soldiered on with the demanding production schedule, the show itself didn’t feel the same to fans, who worried it was the end of an era.

The most agonizing aspect was the lack of a diagnosis. Doctors initially struggled to identify the exact cause, with one even suggesting that the ailment was a confluence of several issues. Finally, after a long and harrowing wait, JD received a definitive diagnosis: mercury poisoning and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Fortunately, JD eventually recovered, but the entire experience left an indelible mark on the family, especially Drew, who returned to the show with renewed appreciation for life and family.

The Private Pain of Parenthood: Drew and Linda’s Fertility Struggle
Just as the dust began to settle from JD’s health scare, Drew and his wife, Linda Phan, embarked on another deeply personal and emotionally taxing journey—the struggle to become parents. Though they are known for keeping their family life private, the couple made the courageous decision to openly share their fertility challenges, a move that resonated with millions of fans worldwide.

The couple, who married in a beautiful destination ceremony in Italy in 2018, had always envisioned a house full of children. In fact, when they moved to Los Angeles and began designing their new home, they planned every room with little ones in mind, with Drew even willing to sacrifice his beloved craft room for a nursery. But the dream was more difficult to attain than they ever imagined.

After several unsuccessful attempts to conceive naturally, they sought the expertise of a fertility endocrinologist. The key factor complicating their efforts was Linda’s pre-existing condition: Graves’ disease. This autoimmune condition affects the thyroid gland, and in Linda’s case, it was a related link that made conception profoundly challenging.

The couple bravely pursued Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and multiple rounds of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), a process that is famously taxing, especially on the mother. Drew spoke candidly about their decision to try again, acknowledging, “IVF is really hard on the mom.” Yet, driven by their unwavering desire for a family, they persevered.

Their resilience was rewarded after two years of treatment. In December 2021, they shared the joyous news with their fans: they were expecting a baby. In May 2022, their son, Parker James, was born. The miracle of their first child was followed by another beautiful addition to the family: Piper Ray, born in May 2024, successfully resolving the couple’s fertility issues and completing their dream.

From Bankruptcy to Blockbuster: The Foundation of the Scott Empire
The Property Brothers’ current success—with Drew and Jonathan now each worth over $100 million—can easily mask the significant financial struggles they faced before their HGTV fame. Their journey to a real estate empire was forged in debt, failed dreams, and the resilience to pivot.

Jonathan, who initially poured all his resources into a dream of becoming the next David Copperfield, faced a devastating betrayal when he trusted the wrong person, who stole all his expensive magic equipment. The loss was so complete that he was forced to file for bankruptcy, plunging him into a period of deep depression.

Drew, meanwhile, pursued his passion for acting in Vancouver, taking classes, networking, and working production crews. Despite his hustle, the financial realities of the entertainment industry quickly caught up to him. He found himself over $100,000 in debt, far from the success he had hoped for.

Their shared financial distress ultimately led them to focus on real estate, a venture they had begun in college by leasing a seven-bedroom property and subletting the rest for a profit. This initial success, born of necessity and hustle, taught them the valuable lesson of due diligence and financial discipline, strengthening their security in what would eventually become a massive real estate and media enterprise. They founded Scott Real Estate Incorporated and, in a crucial pivot, Scott Brothers Entertainment, shifting its focus from independent film to creating original television and digital content.

The Property Brothers’ Professional Turbulence and Unwavering Growth
The Scott Brothers’ career has not been without its professional controversies. One of the most significant was a lawsuit filed by a Las Vegas couple, Mindy and Paul King, who claimed a renovation filmed and aired on Property Brothers left their home riddled with serious faults and health hazards.

The couple claimed to have paid nearly $200,000 for their dream home remodel only to be left with a moldy dishwasher, sewage leaking into their cupboards, and a collapsed sink due to wrongly installed pipes. They accused the contractors and the production company, Click, of prioritizing a “good look for TV” over structural integrity. The lawsuit accused Click—the production company the Scotts worked for at the time—of being unlicensed in Nevada and hiring inexperienced contractors. While the suit did not name the brothers personally as defendants, it highlighted the risks and potential pitfalls of filmed renovations.

The Scott Brothers have since launched their own production company and continued to expand their intellectual property at HGTV, showcasing their commitment to quality and growth. Their new series, including Backed by the Bros and Don’t Hate Your House with the Property Brothers, alongside the renewal of their popular Celebrity IOU, demonstrate their continued dominance in the home renovation space.

Drew Scott’s journey is a powerful testament to the idea that success is often forged in the fires of personal struggle. From the brink of financial ruin to the terrifying uncertainty of a brother’s illness and the heartbreaking challenge of fertility struggles, Drew has navigated intense private turmoil. Yet, through his trademark charm, unwavering family bond, and sheer resilience, he has emerged, not just as a contractor or a realtor, but as an inspirational figure whose story resonates far beyond the walls of the homes he helps to renovate.