Every reality show relies on edits to shape the story, but Roku Channel‘s Honest Renovations hosts Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis reveal that nearly everything they film makes it to the screen, raw and unfiltered.
”Because we have such a limited amount of time, we really don’t have a ton of room for error,” Mathis tells Collider. “So we really have to live with our choices and make the most of it. Also, we’re in Season 3, so we have a little bit of it down pat; we kind of know exactly what we’re going to do. We’re efficient with our time, and to be honest with you, we really have to be efficient with the family’s time. Because they move out. They only have a very limited amount of time. So we’re trying to move very quickly to get them back in the house as quickly as possible.”
Alba explains there’s a method to their filmmaking madness, noting that including the most unedited footage makes the show feel far more relatable. ”Each family is going through very different things in their life, personally and emotionally,” she explains. “So we always allow for whatever’s really going on to surface and to be part of our storyline.” Adding, “So people at home, no matter what they’re going through in life, they can see themselves. Someone in our show and with the renovations and the solutions we come up with, a lot of it is just managing your space in a more effective and efficient way. So we’re hoping people can get inspired to maybe renovate a space in their home when they watch the show, because they may be running into a lot of the same issues as our families.”
Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis Reveal the Biggest ‘Honest Renovations’ Lesson
Alba and Mathis reveal the biggest lesson they’ve taken away from Honest Renovations. “Build more storage!” Mathis exclaims. “Honestly, every time we end every season, Jess and I look at each other and we’re like, how do we get more storage again? I think you just realize that over time, you do collect things, right? And especially with kids. Kids create memories, and they have school drawings and art projects and all these things that you don’t always wanna toss away. And as a family, you just create things, right?”
Alba adds that storage is always at a premium, regardless of the dwelling size. “The most important thing that everyone doesn’t have is storage. It’s so wild that no houses are built with enough storage!”
‘Honest Renovations’ Season 3 Is About Raw Vulnerability
Beyond the endless quest for storage, Mathis and Alba opened up about how the series has influenced them as parents. ”I think we’re always trying to quiet the idea that just because you’re a parent, you’re expected to have it all figured out,” Mathis says. “I think for us as moms of three, we’re constantly in this space of like, ‘Hey, we’re living life.’ And even in Jess and I’s position, that doesn’t go away.”
Alba adds, “ We really try to make our parents feel like they matter and that it’s not just about the kids and the family and sacrificing. But it’s also like what’s a space where you feel like you can rejuvenate, where you can rest? Where can you press the reset button? Because you’re only going to be as good to your kids or your loved ones.”
The Honest Renovations duo teased that, after two seasons of the show, Season 3 is going to be “a super-authentic show,” Mathis says. ”Our families are very vulnerable as well this season. And the stories are just heartwarming, and I think that’s the heart of the show that we really are proud of,” she shares.
Honest Renovations Season 3 is currently streaming on the Roku Channel. Seasons 1 and 2 are also available to stream.
