The array of programming on HGTV raises questions about the friendships among its stars, especially behind the scenes. Hosts Dave and Jenny Marrs first crossed paths with “Farmhouse Fixer” star Jonathan Knight in 2023 while collaborating on “Home Town Takeover,” where they worked together to enhance the city of Fort Morgan, Colorado.
Their connection was rekindled during an episode of “Farmhouse Fixer,” where Knight shared an Instagram post of the two sitting on a couch, expressing his admiration for Jenny and her husband, Dave, saying, “Can’t tell you how much I admire her and her husband. Always love spending time with them!”
Jenny captured their fun evening, sharing how they danced, sang, and ignored the heat while cheering for Knight
Living in Bentonville, Arkansas, the Marrs welcomed Knight when he visited their hometown in June 2024 with New Kids on the Block. Before reconnecting, Knight made a stop at Marrs Mercantile, their home decor store, showcasing his purchases in an Instagram video that noted, “tour bus decor,” alongside a green check mark indicating satisfaction with his shopping spree.
That evening, the Marrs enjoyed a backstage experience at the Walton Arts Center. Jenny captured the fun on Instagram, sharing, “It’s always an absolute blast cheering our friend Jonathan Knight on during a show! We laughed, we danced, we sang until we lost our voices and ignored the heat because it was just so much FUN.”
Jonathan Knight balances two extraordinary careers, transitioning from boyband heartthrob to home renovator. At just 16, he was chosen by producer Maurice Starr in 1984 to be part of a boy band, which included a young Mark Wahlberg.
After achieving chart-topping success for a decade, the group disbanded in 1994 as the members sought different paths. They reunited in 2008 to release their fifth studio album, “The Block,” and embarked on their first headlining tour in a decade, “The Magic Summer Tour,” in 2024, following their eighth album, “Still Kids.”
Knight’s pursuit of home renovation emerged from the group’s desire for new directions. Balancing his passions has kept him busy, with Knight explaining in a 2022 interview with People how his dual commitments often intertwine.
He described the challenge of being present in both arenas, particularly during the MixTape Tour. “There would be days when I would get off the stage at 11 at night, jump on a plane right after the show, fly all night, film all day, and then get back on a plane and go perform the next show,” he recounted.
Reflecting on the demands of his schedule, Knight acknowledged the difficulty in the moment but now takes pride in his achievements. “In the moment, I was like, ‘oh my gosh, this sucks.’ But I look back on it now and I’m proud I was able to accomplish that.” He emphasized the importance of taking things “step-by-step,” illustrating how he manages to thrive the chaos of his busy life.
