Well, I guess you all heard the bad news by now, but for those who didn’t–brace yourselves–contrary to expectations (mine), I did not win the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway. Shocking, I know. But at least someone who could really, really appreciate it did, right?
Well, the jury’s still out on that.
If you didn’t see the reaction of the winner, you have to watch this. I just wanted to shout, “Calm down! You’re getting yourself too worked up, Honey! Just take a deep breath!” To the host, that is. I thought she might hyperventilate. But the winner was already calm enough.
You have to wonder what winner Stephanie Dee thought Lauren Lake (host of “Spice Up My Kitchen“) was giving her. A knock in the head? The HGTV message boards have been lighting up with crazy speculation.
I’ve read that she was drunk, had been fighting with her husband, hadn’t really entered the contest and knew nothing about it, and–my favorite–had already been told what was going on but was expecting Joan Steffend from Decorating Cents to come through the door. She was so disappointed to see Lauren Lake burst into the house instead that she couldn’t muster up any enthusiasm (like you would care who gave you the keys to that house?).
Whatever the reason–she was camera shy, in shock, or already too rich to care about winning–this is the most awkward moment I think I can remember seeing on live TV in a long time.
NOTE: If you’re looking for information on the Dream Home Winner 2009, click here.
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What is with that woman? That’s all the enthusiasm she could muster? It was like the host had shown up at her door to sell her some insurance. Weird!
I’m going to be honest and say it is too bad she didn’t win a new personality, because she needs that more than a dream house.That whole thing was so awkward to watch.
I think everybody’s too used to seeing over-the-top reactions from guests on game shows and talk shows and Extreme Makeover. Don’t people realize *all* those reactions are fake? Those “guests” are cast by professional casting people, then producers coach them how to react and then practice with them over and over, pumping them up until they’re crazed with excitement. Heck, even Publisher’s Clearing House reenacts their “surprises”. What you see with this woman is true surprise – maybe even shock. I heard a few minutes later, after the live show was over, she started bawling as the emotion overtook her. You folks are just mean.
Wow! This woman is totally pissed that she won. What a reaction? Awkward.
Aw, tvwatcher, we just found it odd and a little amusing. This is a friendly site. We’re not trying to bash anyone. I’m sure she’s a perfectly nice person who was probably overwhelmed, but it was such an awkward moment we all witnessed that it’s hard not to talk about it.
Strange reaction. She seemed angry and sad. Freaked us out to see it. Hopefully she’s happy with her family in her new home because there are a lot of people who entered who would have been thrilled.
I think her reaction was legit–total shock. The intolerable part was indeed the host. I had to stop watching after the first minute, it was just too uncomfortable! Happy Easter Julie!
Wow. That WAS awkward. Even if it was a “fake reaction” as someone suggested, was that the best take? Yikes.
How did I miss this? What a strange reaction. I had to stop it after a minute … I couldn’t stand the host or seeing the winner scratch her head any longer.
Well… gezzzz! I’m glad I wasn’t the only one in disbelief over the reaction of the winner/winners when they learned of their good fortune. I think people frim the mid-west are a little subdued anyway, someone needs to teach them how to get excited! Watching this got on my nerves. The host was giving it all she had. She was trying to make up for the lack of enthusiasm! And the HEAD SCRATCHING… I hope there will be Head & Shoulders in the Dream Home! It made me itch just watching her! Maybe she had a huge staff infection that was causing her scalp to itch. I am always happy to see people win something, but you also like to see how excited they are too. Kind of makes me feel like… give it to someone who would appreciate it enough to seem greatfull. Ohio
My take is that it was no surprise, that she had been tipped off and told to act surprised and delighted. Otherwise, how do you explain Lauren Lake just opening the door and going in??? This winner is so self conscious that she couldn’t bring herself to fake surprise. It was weird all right. So, now I know I don’t have to actually watch the damn giveaway show, that if I am the winner, I’ll know it in advance.
Lauren Lake is pretty much an idiot. I don’t watch her kitchen show because she lacks brains and the abiltity to connect with people. It shows in this interview as well. I hear she was a lawyer, I would not hire her to represent me. Lame personality very, very awkward tv moment.
My mouth dropped to the floor when she was told the good news and acted as if she did not care. She scratched her head, didnt smile and seemed like she could care less. To me she is someone who is spoiled, has too much, and doesnt deserve any more then she has. She did NOT even know a name of her favorite shows to watch. She had to think about it and try to come up with a name. Then when her husband was asked about watching HGTV with her, he said he “When i have too” !!!!!! They just gave them a 2.2 million dollar house and then they are going to down HGTV? HELLO people! I hope they enjot thier house and thier children do not grow up as unhappy and miserable as they are! Sorry to be mean but for goodness sake be happy!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS to you, Stephanie and Your Beautiful Family! Your children are precious!!! Oh, I can’t imagine what this must have been like to have been the lucky winner of what all of us only DREAM OF!!! I would have been a wreck and a blithering nut case to have had the TV hostess and cameras come in from no where and put me on the spot. But it’s YOUR spot to revel in!!!! Way to go!!! You and your family seem SO down to earth and absolutely lovely. Enjoy this INCREDIBLE GIFT that came to YOU!!! All my best to you all!!!
you are right – that was such a weird moment — so what are the dees doing now?
Lauren Lake pretty much freaked me out from the get-go. I couldn’t understand why she had to be so loud and over-the-top. It was irritating. My husband asked if it wasn’t possible for them to make her leave! Guffaw!! Of course Stephanie is excited to win the house, but probably a little intimidated too. She’s going to have to sell it anyway.
I agree! I was never so disappointed to see such a seemingly ungrateful, unappreaciative itchy headed idiot win such a wonderful prize in my life!! I really do not think they should have given that wonderful home to her!! if she truly deserved it don’t you think she
could have said” WOW, LAUREN, THANK YOU AND HGTV SOOOO MUCH!I Poor Lauren, I guess she thought she had entered the
twilight zone. I just want to say I would have loved too have had that adorable Lauren Lake in my home in Tennessee. Maybe better luck next year and maybe hgtv should consider having runners up and interviewing the prospective winners before just handing over such a PRIZE to an absolute WEIRDO!!!!
Stop being a hater
She’s overwhelmed. She said it quite a few times and was crying but didn’t want it to show. I think once her family and friends came closer, she started to let her guard down.
The body language doesn’t say hurray does it. She acts like this is a total intrusion. Or maybe the reality of two houses to clean has set in. I suspect a family fight was inprogress. or she was just mad that this woman just walked right into her house.
I totally agree with DMD. I does look like she was mad, and that constant flipping her hair back all the time, her husband didn’t even seem excited. I know if it was me, I’d be jumping up and down, I would be hugging Lauren, and thanking HGTV.
WEIRD! What’s with her?? OMG, she acted as if she couldn’t get over the fact that someone just walked into her house uninvited. Her husband wasn’t very enthusiastic either. Before the host walked in–I thought..oh-this is gonna be so amazing to see the looks/reactions on this family’s faces! But uh–no.. so boring. CRAZY STUFF.
Did this woman ever say thank you? Even if you were overwhelmed. wouldn’t that be like the very first thing you would say?? – but then she was okay when her friends were nearby, so the shock thing isn’t working for me. She acted mad – and really, so did her husband. I’m not crazy about Lauren either, but didn’t you just feel for her? It was like racing into a brick wall! They had to know she was coming – right? Lauren wouldn’t just walk into the house, would she? Sorry – just can’t get over this one . . .
She of course sold the house back to the developer. Happened to be in Key Largo this past weekend and thanks to some local info, went to see it. It now sits behind a chain link gate. There were supposed to be several other houses in the development but none are started. It kinda sad to see it sitting empty. Original value is 2.2m. Don’t know what she sold it back for but it would be recorded in Monroe Country fl.
My kids and I couldn’t believe how unexcited she was. My kids were very upset that she didn’t at least pretend to be grateful. I guess there must of been a lot of things going through her mind…like how to I pay the taxes. Any idea as to how much money a winner of a dream house needs to come up with when they win a home? I wonder how much she finally ended up with when she sold the home back to the developer?
I thought , my God, this woman doesn’t give a damn about winning this dream home that I have been trying to win for 10 of the past 11 years for my dear, wonderful husband who DESERVES IT SO SOOOOOOOO MUCH !!!! And I woulda been jumping up and down so hard the girls woulda bounced off the popcorn ceiling I’d've been soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo THRILLED !!!!!
This woman coulda give a s#!+ !!!!!!!!!!!! How awful for the host and all of us who wanted to win soooooooooo badly !!!!!!!
TOTALLY UNDESERVING !!!!!
Lauren Lake is weird! and she can’t design. If I have to see one more of her blue or green kitchens with cherry cabinets, granited coutner tops and wood floors..I will stab myself in the eye. EVERY one of her designs is the same. I stopped watching a long time ago.
Do we know if she did sell it back to the developer? I was there two weekends ago and everything is overgrown in the developement. I had toured the site back in February of this year and was told all houses were sold but it looks like the developer might be in foreclosure with the developement.
You guys have to keep a straight perspective.
The reality is, YOU CAN’T KEEP IT.
HGTV pumps it up and makes everyone think you will live in the house. Listen to the ads. THEY MAKE MONEY ON YOUR LOSS.
They need to make a dream house at around 400 to 500 thousand so that a winner can ACTUALLY KEEP IT. HGTV does not expect you to keep it and know that unless you have a lot of money, YOU CAN’T KEEP IT.
MSNBC quotes HGTV spokeswoman Emily Yarborough as saying: “Our vision of the dream is that it enables you to do what you want to do.”
He ( winner Mr Cook ) said the electric bill on the dream home is more than 10 times what he currently pays.
( winner Mr. Cruz ) The contest’s 2005 winner, Don Cruz, moved from suburban Chicago to Tyler, Texas, to take possession of his dream home, a lakefront property valued at $1.5 million, plus furnishings. But taxes on his winnings are expected to total more than $650,000, and local officials slammed the door on Cruz’s plan to pay his bills by renting the boathouse and a master bedroom
HGTV spokeswoman Emily Yarborough emphasizes that the network still doesn’t expect winners to actually live in the Dream Home.
( 2004 winner Ms Nakao ) Ordinary people cannot keep a home like that,” she said from Sacramento, Calif., where she lives.
Mr Cruz states that he is not allowed to do anything to the property because you do not win the property, it is rented to you on a 30 year lease.
Monthly maintenance runs about $2500.
The intent is not for a winner to actually KEEP the house but to have to Sell it. WHy doesnt HGTV just hand you a check for the 2 million dollars and cut the BS????
Reality says you will be lucky to just sleep in the bed.
Try to win the contest but I would not be jumping up and down and screeming knowing the next day I need to find a realtor.
HGTV needs to get reality based.
I don’t know Stephanie personally but I am from Solon and know others who do and it’s really ridiculous the amount of crap she’s had to take from this. There’s even websites saying her reaction is because she’s racist since Lauren is black. Firstly, she was confused and irritated because her friends wanted to have a party at her house for her birthday, which wasn’t for awhile yet and she had no idea why they were insisting on having it so early. Then either someone told her she won or she figured it out herself, but she was so nervous and emotional once she realized it that she didn’t know what to do. After they taped her reaction she was crying and everything, but she was too shy and embarrassed when the cameras were there. She was trying to keep a straight face so she wouldn’t be crying on TV. Not everyone jumps up and down and screams when they are happy. Lighten up people. Give the girl a break.
Yes, it was very odd the way the 2008 winner acted. But, I am with HGTV realist (Jan.2 2009). Reality is, how many of us would be able to keep the house? I know people who live in the Keys and also in Calif. VERY expensive to own a home in these areas.
For the month of January it is fun to ‘dream’ and think how you would redecorate and etc, but try coming up with the tax money. How many of us can really quit our jobs and move our families to the dream home.
HGTV needs to take a survey on the income range the people have that enter their contest. Build a home that is less than 500,000. Or, cut cost by not putting so much knick knack’s in the home! My 1st thing I would do is have a garage sale and get rid of 3/4 of that crap! And, what is with the bright green paint in the master bedroom? HGTV needs to get rid of the interior designer. I love HGTV and watch it 6-7 times a week, but they do need to get down to reality on their ‘dream’ home.
What’s the deal with the 30 year lease that HGTV Realist spoke of??? When you say property are you referring to the house or just the land? If you could afford to live in it, what happens 30 years from now.
As for the girl’s reaction. Ya’ll just jealous and your tirades are the equivalent of a 2 yr old tantrum! GET OVER IT!
i don’t blame her. i would not want people with cameras in my house for everybody to see.
I agree that Lauren Lake was a very poor spokes person for HGTV.
She scared me just watching it. But Normally people do scream when they are suprised with a house. Yes, they should also take into consideration the cost of the house. There is a higher percentage of middle class people that enter the contests, and just dream of a better house then the one they have. There should be a balance in how they weigh the cost of the house and the decorating. The goal is to better someones life, not to cause future distruction of their finances.
When I watched this, I was completely embaraced for this woman. First of all, like one of the other posters, I can imagine the anxiety realizing that this person is going to walk through the door that is going to film you on live TV. I, myself get so irritated if someone throws me a surprise party or something, as I am a bit of a control freak and don’t like things being done behind my back. Plus, when you normally don’t have ALL your friends and family over on a regular basis and are not party type people, of course she was probably just very annoyed at all these people in her house for an “early birthday party” and once she figured it out she was probably just mad that her friends didn’t tell her and had to figure it out herself. Personally, I think if they wouldn’t have staged this party for her, causing her anxiety and just telling her husband and coming to the door…she probably would have had a different reaction to say the least.
ERock:
Mr Cruz won the Dreamhouse. He did not win the property. The property was leased to put the Dreamhouse on it. I do not know the particulars or if this is true for all Dreamhouses but if HGTV is trying to retain some kind of control over your win, then leasing the land is the way to go. In 30 years they can raise the lease to some rediculous amount and they have a house again. It also allows controls in how the home/land must be maintained. Any infraction can cause the land lease to be void.
Its just another part of HGTVs skulldugery where the DreamHouse is concerned.
I live in Tyler, Texas. The 2005 house is located on Lake Tyler, which is owned by the city. Anyone that builds or buys a house on Lake Tyler, gets a 99 year lease from the city, but dosen’t actually own the property. Construction is watched closely and monitored to protect our drinking water from the lake. The lease has nothing to do with HGTV.
If anyone has a brain, they would auction off the house as is ASAP and dance off with a large check to buid their own dream house, and have some cash leftover! Mr. Cruz was stupid to try to keep the house and not sell it asap- He didn’t even work and thought he could keep the house and rent out the boathouse.
Now, Stephanie appeared to be a complete basketcase…either someone tipped her off (and that person should be sued by HGTV for violation of a nondisclosure agreement) or her family member that came up with the idea of having HER birthday party early should be exposed as the biggest idiot of HGTV history and finally, I hope Stephanie sells the house and gets some anti-itch shampoo and maybe therapy.
WOW! I was wondering if I was the only one who felt that way! It really was VERY disappointing to see such a low-key reaction when you wish you were the big winner! I really couldn’t believe it as i watched it! One year later, I am once again hopeful to be the lucky HGTV winner and I will definitely show my appreciation…
By the way, isn’t there a rule that you cannot sell the prize for a certain amount of time?
I do agree that HGTV should keep up with the current state of affairs in the US and trim down the expense of the home. A beautiful, efficient, “green” home in the $500,000 range would be more realistic for today’s average person/family, also a 4+ bedroom floorplan would be better as more families are co-habitating in today’s economy.
Hey if I win this year’s Dream Home, I’m going to trade it for the Florida house! I wanted that one so bad!!! A smart crafty person would be able to figure out how to afford the home if pull your resources & ideas together and act conservatively …
I can’t believe how this woman acted. I disliked her instantly. I understand being shocked, but how about being a little graceful or smiling? And her husband was a dud too. She didn’t seem grateful in the least and was actually kind of rude. No wonder the host had to keep upping the “cheer factor”- trying to get a reaction out of her that wasn’t so lame. She seemed like such a snob, and a wet blanket.
For those who are criticizing HGTV about making it impossible for normal people to keep the house: first of all the whole contest is designed to get ratings, showcase certain designer’s talents as well as advertise products. It’s not really a contest to give someone a new home. For those that state “HGTV should keep up with the current state of affairs in the US and trim down the expense of the home”- I think that’s ridiculous. Its a “Dream Home” contest, not a “Slightly-better-than-average-home” contest. I feel sorry for someone whose dreams would be so limited. Way to aim low.
And second and most importantly, if she (or anyone else) is so concerned about the taxes on the house, and criticizes HGTV for this, here’s a solution for you: DONT ENTER THE CONTEST. Didn’t anyone ever hear the saying “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”? People seem to have such a sense of entitlement that even when they win an awesome prize, they still feel they are owed more. Get a reality check.
Didn’t she win some sort of cash ward in addition to the dream home and auto? I thought HGTV awarded her a check for $100K or $250K or something, which the net after tax could have at least partially paid the federal income tax on the prize?
If they did, does HGTV usually give a cash award each year? The rules for this year don’t indicate a cash award, but perhaps they “suprise” the winner with that to help defray taxes/insurance/etc.?
Recently, HGTV hasn’t been awarding cash for the taxes. But even when you sell the home, you still walk away with over $1 million cash after taxes, plus a lot of goodies and an invaluable experience. I interviewed 2005 winner Don Cruz (http://contests.about.com/od/sweepstakes101/a/doncruzhgtvwin.htm) to see whether he regretted winning, and the answer was not at all. In fact, he’s trying to win again!
The Dream Home Sweepstakes is great because HGTV profits and so do the winners. They wouldn’t give away a $2 million prize every year just to be nice. They do it for the buzz and the name recognition, and that’s totally fair if you ask me.
Sandra’s last blog post..Another Way for Circuit City Winners to Redeem Gift Cards
With the economy so dire, unemployment so high and our troops still not home… isn’t it nice to have a dream to shoot for? That’s what the HGTV dream home is all about. Yes… it makes good TV and helps build the HGTV brand…but it’s fun to enter and gives me a couple of blissful moments a day when I can forget about the chaos of the day and dream a little bit. So for those who continue to bash the contest….relax…in the big picture of things, entering the contest is a nice distraction.
Instead of dream house it should be call nightmare house. The taxes and upkeep will eat you alive. Google “the house that swallowed Don and Shelly Cruz” and you will want to dream no more. My luck I win after my mistakenly entered ,for first the time, before reading about the Cruz.
Give this poor woman a break! None of you have any idea what she was going through before HGTV’s cameras burst through her door. Society is so damn judgmental!
I couldn’t help but notice though when HGTV was walking up to her door, that she already was blessed with a nice home.
I hope I’m the 2009 winner. I’ll try to keep all of the comments in mind, and give you a reaction you won’t soon forget!
The look on her face when they walked through the door said two things: 1. I can’t believe someone just walked into my home 2. I was just upset by someone in the home. Tensions do sometimes rise when family is around and it looked like someone just said something that upset her. She did get better as the interview went along.
i have a completely different reaction to most everyone here and that is that i side entirely with the poor winner, stephanie, on this one.
she seems shy, like i am, and overwhelmed to have won, and VERY overwhelmed to suddenly be confronted with, not only an entire camera crew in her house, but what has to be the most obnoxious tv personality ever! lauren lake’s screeching commentary was grating within 3 seconds, and i was just watching, not having to interact with her or have her repeatedly shove the microphone in my face.
i think stephanie’s reserve was just part of her personality, but i got no feeling that she was ungrateful or had a fight with her family. not everyone has to jump up and down and scream like a moron to express their excitement. some people are much more low-key, and i would’ve been totally turned off by the presenter’s fake, loud enthusiasm.
ugh.
you know i won a brand new 2009 chevy malibu back in dec08. i freaked out. cried. screamed and had some kinda breathing problem on local tv. my daughter was there freaking out too. hummm perhaps she isnt from the area i am from (the hood) ? i dont know. i about stroked out. all i can say is God is awesome. i really needed that car.
This looks set up. The host walked straight into her house…isn’t that a little out of the norm?
The husband didn’t seemed to shocked either. Maybe he was in on it or they informed the winner beforehand so they had permission to barge into her house.
The woman is lucky. Her house looked nice and neat. If I was a winner I’d be so embarrased. Our house is in the middle of a construction that has been put on hold for years and looks horrible.
Ida: God IS awesome for doing that for you! God bless
I think the winner was high or drunk….her eyes are clearly glassy, notice the husband taking the glass quickly. She was either po’ed about something already and knew Lauren would be coming and was not ready to deal with her and the camera crew. She looked as though she did not want to be bothered at all, she was not even appreciative. I would not have been jumping up and down but I would have showed some gratitude…..it’s not everyday you win a home worth millions. The winner could have also been prejudice and didn’t want Lauren in her home….who knows. That is usually how prejudice people act…..been there. Lauren was clearly uncomfortable with the reaction and tended to overreact a bit. She probably did not know what to do herself…..I am sure this one threw her for a loop. Don’t give Lauren a bad rap, she may not be the best designer….a lot of them are not. She practices law in New Jersey, New York and Detroit. Lauren has also been a back up singer for Jay-Z, P-Diddy, Mary J Blige and others. She helps at risks students and travels with Bill Cosby doing motivational speaking. I don’t care what you say….the lady is talented!!!!!@#$%^
I agree, somehow she already knew she won and yes she looked high or drunk .What a coinsidence that all of her family and friends were at her house when hgtv showed up . It all looks very suspicious for hgtv.
That was painful.
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The winner did not look surprised at all and was mad she won. I think she knew about it way ahead of time and was thinking how p-o’d she was after knowing how much the taxes and insurance was going to cost her family and the prospect of how to get rid of it.
Was it just me or was that a happy birthday balloon the baby was holding on to while the husband carrier her/him into another room? There were more balloons in the next room, it was a birthday party, she could have shown a little more enthusiasm. But honestly, who gets excited about a house they will never be able to afford to live in?
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