On Tuesday 24.09. Windy City Rehab returns to HGTV with all-new episodes as Alison Victoria continues to manage design and renovation projects throughout Chicago.
Ahead of the premiere, Victoria tells PEOPLE that this season is her “favorite because I’ve been through hell and back,” referring to past business issues documented on the show. But after taking time to rebuild, she sees her brand reaching new heights.
“I’ve never been happier, which has opened up so much more creativity,” continues Victoria, 42, explaining that she’s struck “this balance” between managing clients across the country, working on various HGTV shows (Battle on the beach, The ugliest houses in Americaetc.) and starting his own production company, Briefly Gorgeous.
“Because of everything I’ve been through, I can be a better designer,” he adds.
Adding to that is boyfriend and director Brandt Andersen.
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In June, the two made things official when they walked the red carpet together at the 51st Annual Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards, where Windy City Rehab was nominated for Outstanding Teaching/Instruction Program.
Although the show didn’t win, Victoria took to Instagram to share snaps of the pair embracing at the event alongside a quote from Rumi: “Ignite your life. Look for those who fan your flame.” Then she said Us Weekly that Andersen, 47, is “the most amazing man I’ve ever met.”
Now, months later, the HGTV star is paying tribute The case of foreigners director with the expression “special thanks” at the exit credits of the new season Windy City Rehab.
From left: Brandt Andersen and Alison Victoria on June 8, 2024.
Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock
“It’s a surprise for him,” Victoria says, before saying why she wanted to do it for him. “Brandt is a brilliant filmmaker and with his directorial debut, we traveled to all these festivals this summer. And when we first became friends, he was doing everything for his film — like sound and VFX stuff — and I was there for that trip, helping him on the way to be like a true partner as he is to me.”
And because they’re both in the same industry (“It’s so different, but so similar,” she says), Victoria feels like she’s “partnering with someone who understands your life.” She adds that she appreciates being “with someone who can give notes for my episodes,” noting that’s something she would do for Andersen.
The HGTV star then recalls sitting with Andersen during one of his final sound checks for his film, when she was about to go to the bathroom. However, before she could leave, he asked her to stay for a minute. “And I realized he wanted me to stay so I could see that he put me in the credits,” she shares.
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“And it was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me,” Victoria continues. “And the way I felt like, ‘Wow, he really sees me and values my input and doesn’t take it lightly. Like, he actually implements those changes into his movie because he believes in me so much and he trusts me so much.’ ”
She adds: “He was the same support and the same partner.”
So to recognize that, “I just thought, ‘Wow, if I could do this in a special way for him—and I know he would notice because he looks at these things like any movie director would—I know he and I will love it.’ Because what he’s done for me, this is truly the happiest period of my life and I owe a lot of that to him and this partnership that we have.”
Although fans will not physically see Andersen in the new season Windy City RehabVictoria says that his presence will be felt in the new episodes. “He’s such a part of me, so you’re going to see a big change in me because of him. So in that way, yeah, he’s very much a part of this season.”
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New episodes Windy City Rehab premieres Tuesday, September 24 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on HGTV.
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Source: HIS Education