Everybody say love!
Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent took the world of HGTV by storm with their first season of The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project. The design and renovation show garnered a huge fanbase, with over 13 million people tuning into the first season.
With the second season underway, the hosts are thrilled audiences can see more inspirational stories every week.
"The show at its core is about love and showing people across the world a family like ours and that you can have this beautiful love story. [We're] really trying to show people that they can tackle their home and their space in a way that's much more emotional and much more thoughtful than just picking up a hammer and swinging. It means that people care and that people are enjoying connecting, which is really what we're hoping for," Brent tells Out.
By starring in a hit show on a major platform like HGTV, the husbands are honored to show their loving family on the screens of millions of people around the globe.
"For us, we know we have a responsibility to the LGBTQ+ community. It's a big deal. With everything going on in the world right now and all of this turmoil, it's a happy show. It is a show about a family just trying to figure out how to do what we do and raise our two kids," Berkus says.
The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project truly has something for everyone. Beyond the mind-boggling renovations that audiences get to watch each episode, both Berkus and Brent are grateful that LGBTQ+ youth can see themselves in a positive light on screen.
"We had this really special moment. We were out and this lovely woman walked up to us and said that her son came out last week and she was so depressed and devastated. That night, our show came on and she sat there in the living room and watched it with him. We reminded her that her son can still have the beautiful life that you obviously want for your children. That really speaks to what our experience has been. We lead with kindness, empathy, and understanding, and that is what we have received from people. You can learn a lot in the safety of your living room," Brent says.
Although the fathers are thankful they can show their love and talent on screen, they're also cognizant of the trailblazers that came before them in the fight for mainstream representation.
"We have such respect and admiration for the people that pushed this movement of equality. We know that we are standing on the shoulders of Harvey Milk, of everyone who's ever marched, of all of these incredible people who looked around and said society could be better. Now many years later, families like ours have an opportunity to be on television and on a platform like this," Berkus says.
Plus, the couple's adorable kids Poppy and Oskar are growing up in real time as the show continues to gain momentum.
"Poppy's been on the show since she was three, which is crazy. It's really this beautiful time in our lives. They're so sweet and we are obsessed with them. I can't wait to go see them tonight. I find myself anxious to be around them," Brent concludes.
The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project airs Wednesday nights on HGTV. To see the full interview with Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent, check out the video below.
Nate Berkus & Jeremiah Brent Thank the Fans for All the Love on HGTVyoutu.be