Beyond the Renovation: Unmasking the Real-Life Struggles of HGTV Star Drew Scott
Drew Scott, the charming, suit-clad real estate expert and co-host of HGTV’s juggernaut show, Property Brothers, has spent over a decade transforming fixer-uppers into dream homes alongside his twin, contractor Jonathan Scott. Their playful banter, combined with stunning home transformations, has cemented their status as cable television royalty. Yet, beneath the veneer of seamless television magic and multi-million dollar deals, the Scott family has been quietly navigating a series of deeply personal crises that would test the resilience of any family.

From mysterious health emergencies that threatened a beloved brother’s life to a grueling, emotionally taxing journey to parenthood, and even explosive lawsuits, Drew Scott’s life off-camera has been anything but smooth. This is the in-depth, human story of the Property Brother’s untold struggles, the emotional toll they took, and the inner strength that allowed Drew to emerge—like one of his signature renovated homes—stronger than before.

The Vanishing Act: A Health Crisis Shakes the Family Core
The year 2019 brought an unexpected shift to the dynamic of Property Brothers. As the seventh season premiered in September, fans began to notice Drew’s conspicuous absence from the screen. The immediate fallout was a flurry of media and fan speculation. Rumors exploded across social media—fueled by the lack of clear information—suggesting a professional falling out between the inseparable twins. Whispers suggested an internal conflict had reached a boiling point, with claims even circulating that Drew was leaving the show to launch a cosmetics line with his wife, Linda Phan.

The brothers were quick to dismiss the baseless gossip, but the true reason for Drew’s scarcity was a private tragedy unfolding away from the cameras. The Scott family was facing a trying moment as their eldest brother, James Daniel, or JD Scott, became gravely ill.

JD Scott, whom Drew affectionately described as “the Brad Pitt of the family,” was battling a mysterious health condition that lasted for over a year. The symptoms were terrifyingly strange: his body temperature would often spike dramatically, he’d experience the sudden, shocking sensation of his skin being on fire, and then, without warning, he would pass out. Coupled with severe flu-like symptoms, gastrointestinal issues, and an extreme sensitivity to heat, the vibrant older brother was left unable to engage in physically demanding activity and was forced onto daily medication.

For Drew and the entire family, this period was one of agonizing helplessness. They were forced to watch, feeling powerless, as JD struggled to find a diagnosis, uncertain if the illness would eventually take his life. The initial medical community struggled to pinpoint the cause, suggesting it might be a complex combination of ailments. It wasn’t until much later that JD finally received a proper diagnosis: mercury poisoning and chronic fatigue syndrome.

In the face of this emotional ordeal, Drew made the tough decision to withdraw partially from the show to provide essential emotional support to JD, while Jonathan carried the bulk of the on-screen demands. The chemistry of the duo was missed, leading some fans to fear the end of the Property Brothers journey. Fortunately, JD eventually got back on his feet, but the experience left an indelible mark on the family, reinforcing the depth of their bond.

The Long Road to Parenthood: Battling Fertility and Graves’ Disease
With his brother’s health improving, Drew returned to the show full-time, but another deeply personal battle was just beginning. Drew and Linda Phan, known for their privacy, made the brave decision to open up about their struggles to conceive—a journey far more challenging than designing a perfect nursery.

The couple, who married in Italy in 2018, had planned for children since moving to Los Angeles and designing their dream home, with Drew even being ready to sacrifice his own craft room to become a nursery. However, after several failed attempts to conceive naturally, they sought the help of a fertility endocrinologist. It was then that Linda’s health struggles were directly linked to their inability to conceive: she had Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid gland.

This revelation led them down the difficult road of fertility treatments, including IUI (intrauterine insemination) and IVF (in vitro fertilization). Drew spoke candidly about the grueling nature of IVF, acknowledging the immense toll it takes on the mother. After two years of persistent effort and emotional resilience, the couple’s dreams finally came true. They shared the joyous news with their fans in late 2021 and, in May 2022, welcomed their first child, son Parker James. The family grew again in May 2024 with the birth of their daughter, Piper Ray, successfully resolving their fertility issues and completing the family they had dreamed of.

From Dream Home to Legal Nightmare: Lawsuits and Professional Evolution
Despite their soaring popularity and success, the Scott Brothers’ empire was not immune to professional turbulence. In a highly public and damaging incident, a Las Vegas couple, Mindy and Paul King, who had paid nearly $200,000 for a home renovation filmed and aired on Property Brothers, sued the production company behind the show.

The couple alleged that the renovation, which looked beautiful on camera, left their home with serious faults and health hazards, including a moldy dishwasher, sewage leaking into cupboards, and a collapsed sink due to improperly installed pipes. Frustrated after their pleas for help were allegedly ignored, the Kings filed a lawsuit accusing the production company, Click, and its subcontractors of doing a shoddy job. The lawsuit further claimed that Click was not licensed in Nevada and hired inexperienced contractors.

While the Scott Brothers were not personally named as defendants, the scandal was a stark reminder of the complexities and potential pitfalls of large-scale, televised home renovations. Since the incident, both Drew and Jonathan have severed ties with Click and launched their own production company, Scott Brothers Entertainment. They have also expanded their intellectual property with HGTV, launching new series like Backed by the Bros and Don’t Hate Your House with the Property Brothers, alongside the continued success of their popular Celebrity IOU.

The Path to Success: From Debt to a Real Estate Empire
Before the multi-million dollar empire they command today, both Drew and Jonathan faced significant financial hardships. Jonathan, who initially dreamed of a career in magic, was left bankrupt and depressed after a trusted associate stole all of his expensive equipment. Meanwhile, Drew’s passion for acting led him to Vancouver, where he took acting classes and networked, but ultimately found himself in deep debt, over $100,000.

These setbacks proved to be crucial learning experiences. Following a pivotal moment where Drew found himself drowning in debt, he sent Jonathan an email, a simple request for his marketing template, and pivoted fully toward real estate. Drawing on an early entrepreneurial spirit fostered by their father, who had them selling nylon-covered hangers at age seven, the twins pooled their talents. Drew got his real estate license, and Jonathan focused on construction and design.

They started small, famously leasing a seven-bedroom property across from their university, repairing it, and subletting rooms for a tidy profit. They moved on to purchasing and flipping homes, eventually co-founding Scott Real Estate Incorporated in 2004.

Their big television break came in an unexpected way. Drew was initially considered for a show called Realtor Idol. While that show never materialized, producers at Click were captivated and developed a concept for a show focused on My Dream Home, originally intended to have a female co-host. Upon learning Drew had an equally talented and complementary brother, the concept evolved into the iconic show we know today: Property Brothers. Picked up by HGTV in 2010, the rest is television history.

From overcoming a life-threatening health crisis in the family to enduring the personal agony of fertility struggles and the pressures of public scrutiny, Drew Scott’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience. His ability to navigate these turbulent waters while maintaining his professional charm and continuing to build a massive media and real estate empire is the true transformation story that fans find so deeply compelling. He remains an inspirational figure, proving that even TV’s biggest stars face life’s hardest challenges with courage and grace.