LYNN — Renovation reality show “Military Makeover with Montel,” is coming to the city this summer, and they’re now searching for the right Lynn veteran to give a complete home makeover on TV.
The show, sponsored by General Electric (GE) Aerospace, will shoot part of its 35th season in Lynn this June, to be aired on Lifetime in August. A volunteer force will spend seven to 10 days renovating the selected veteran’s home before a “big reveal” featuring the show’s host, decorated veteran Montel Williams.
Before Feb. 14, producers must cast the right Lynn veteran to be featured on the show this summer. The show’s Senior Producer Joshua Adams said the ideal candidate will likely have children at home and be in their 30s or 40s. He said it’s challenging to select just one veteran family.
“Just a family that has a great story,” Adams said. “Obviously, they’re all deserving, so it’s always hard for us to narrow down and just pick one — we feel like we’re leaving others out.”
In addition, the right veteran must either be an active armed forces member, or have been honorably discharged, must consent to being taped and broadcasted, and must consent to a full background check.
Tricia Patella, a public relations and marketing representative, said that all military veterans are invited to watch the “big reveal,” which will feature a parade of first responders, and a local ROTC demonstration.
“They’ll see all their friends and family and they usually get emotional — it’s really beautiful. (Co-host) Art (Edmond) will bring them to the front door where Montel will welcome them back to their home and then they bring them inside and they let them see their home and it’s very emotional for everybody involved,” Patella said.
“I can think of few greater privileges than helping to provide worthy heroes and their families the type of forever-home they so desire,” said Williams. “Everyone involved states that it is a highlight of their lives to be a part of the Military Makeover process.”
The show’s designer and co-host Jennifer Bertrand said that renovations are customized to accommodate each individual family’s needs and desires.
“We are excited to come to Lynn and love on a new veteran family and their home,” Bertrand said. “The beauty of ‘Military Makeover’ is that it’s all about the individual family’s style, and it’s our job to bring their dreams to life.”
A spokesperson for GE Aerospace said that since is home to the company’s military aircraft manufacturing center, it’s only fitting that they sponsor, and take part in, a show that services veterans.
“Supporting veterans is a core part of our culture at GE Aerospace. Lynn is the home of GE Aerospace’s military business, making it the ideal location for the company and our GE Volunteers to lead the way in this worthy project,” the spokesperson said.
Edmonds, one of the show’s co-hosts, said the show is not only about giving veterans a new home, but about sharing their stories with the public.
“We always tell the human side of what our veterans go through, and we look forward to honoring a veteran family from Lynn, Massachusetts,” Edmonds said.
