Heidi Klum surprised her housekeeper of 17 years, Lucia, with an almost complete home renovation during the season six premiere of Celebrity IOU on HGTV on Monday.
“She’s always there for me, always and I know she always had my back and it feels good that I can now have hers too,” Heidi said.
Heidi teamed up with Property Brothers stars Jonathan and Drew Scott, both 45, to transform Lucia’s dark and dated home in Los Angeles’ Westchester neighborhood.
“Heidi said Lucia has been the rock she and her kids have leaned on for as long as she can remember,” Drew said.
“She’s been through all my pregnancies and chaos in my house,” said 49-year-old Heidi, dressed in a denim jacket and jeans. “But she’s always been there for me, in everything.”
Season Premiere: Heidi Klum surprised her housekeeper of 17 years, Lucia, with an almost complete home renovation during the season six premiere of Celebrity IOU on HGTV on Monday
Heidi said that Lucia has become part of her family.
“She really is someone in my house that I can’t live without,” Heidi said.
Heidi said Lucia was from Mexico and could have saved up and bought her own house.
“Meeting Heidi has been a blessing in our lives, our family,” Lucia told the camera.
Lucia’s daughter Lorena said they also feel like Heidi is part of their family. Heidi then explained that Lucia’s mother became very ill during the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually died, delaying Lucia’s plans to refurbish the house.
Heidi told the brothers that Lucia would be away for three to four weeks to visit her family, which would give them time to do the work. Before they started, Drew showed Heidi his runway walk that he recently heard from Cindy Crawford, 57, on an earlier episode and Heidi gave him some pointers.
Heidi then showed them Lucia’s house and they all agreed that the living room should be opened up. Heidi also pointed out that the house was dark and things needed to be lit.
“Heidi wants to give Lucia the house of her dreams,” Jonathan said. “So first we remove both walls that close off the kitchen and add light-colored, engineered hardwood from front to back to brighten up the whole space.”
High kicks: The 49-year-old model showed off some high kicks during the demolition
On the roof: The German-born beauty climbed onto the roof to help, despite not being a fan of heights
As a family: “She’s always there for me, always and I know she always had my back and it feels good that I can now have hers too,” Heidi said of Lucia
Modeling Tips: Before they started, Drew showed Heidi his catwalk walk he recently heard from Cindy Crawford, 57, on an earlier episode and Heidi gave him some tips
“I love it,” Heidi said, twirling around the kitchen excitedly.
“With Lucia, I just know this will improve their lives so much because we hit the heart of the house the hardest, and she’s part of our family,” Heidi told the camera. “So it’s so great that I can do something for her now.”
Heidi was excited to help the brothers with the demolition. She helped them tear up the floor first.
“Boy was it fun,” Heidi said.
Heidi used high kicks to knock over the cabinets.
“She’s kicking cabinets,” Johnathan said. “She drags things out. She just goes wild.’
“I like kicking everything,” Heidi said after kicking another cabinet.
“I suppose you can go to these rooms now and pay for them,” Heidi said to the camera. “Where you can pick up a hammer and really let out all your anger. Today I can do this for free at Lucia’s house!’
Heidi then hammered a cupboard top with a sledgehammer.
Likes to kick: “I like to kick everything,” Heidi said after kicking another cabinet
Anger release: “I think you can go to these rooms now and pay for them,” Heidi told the camera. “Where you can pick up a hammer and really let out all your anger. Today I can do this for free at Lucia’s house!’
“I broke that bad boy!” said Heidi.
Heidi also helped them knock down a wall.
“We absolutely have to stick to the timeline because I don’t want to be yelled at in German by Heidi,” said Jonathan.
The brothers also decided to build a small run to bring Lucia’s washrooms into the main building.
Heidi then made time to help them pick out the finishes, including countertops, cabinet colors, and other accents for the home. Each time, Heidi enthusiastically ran into the house with the swatches to see what the colors would look like. She turned around and danced with Jonathan after they made their final decision.
“It feels great to give back when you improve someone’s life, it feels really great,” Heidi said.
The brothers also replaced Lucia’s roof when they found out that Lucia’s roof was past its prime. Heidi bravely climbed the ladder to help nail down the roof shingles.
“I’ve never done shingles in my life,” Heidi said. “I don’t like heights, but I’m always up for anything.”
Nailed: Heidi bravely climbed the ladder to help nail down the roof shingles
Heidi used the nail gun and later said it was a lot of fun.
“It feels great to have this safe roof over her and her family’s heads,” Heidi said.
“Who would have thought, roofer Heidi Klum,” said Jonathan.
Heidi also helped put her long red fingernails into the floor.
“I didn’t know how easy it was to put down wooden planks,” Heidi said.
Heidi also helped them place the kitchen cabinets.
“The kitchen is the heart of the house, especially in Lucia’s house,” Heidi said. “It used to be all kind of dark, and it was all kind of higgledy-piggledy, now it’s like ‘Boom.’ It’s this loft. It’s just beautiful and light.’
Heidi laid the tiles in the laundry room.
New roof: “It feels great to put this safe roof over her and her family’s head,” Heidi said
Tiling: Heidi laid the tiles in the laundry room
“She’s meticulous,” Drew said.
“I’ve picked up so many new skills,” Heidi said.
“You’ve had your hands on every part of this project. I’m impressed,” Drew said.
“Thank you,” Heidi said.
Heidi said she liked tiling the most.
“If this modeling doesn’t work for much longer, I’ll continue with those brothers,” Heidi joked.
“I think she’s going to cry when she sees this,” Heidi predicted.
When Lucia returned to her house, Heidi was outside with a bunch of flowers. Lucia was a little shocked by the cameras.
She’s Back: When Lucia came back to her house, Heidi was outside with a bunch of flowers
“Lucia, I’ve been a little busy while you’ve been gone, but I did something for you,” Heidi said.
“Oh Heidi,” Lucia said.
“I didn’t do it all by myself, I had some help,” Heidi said. Jonathan and Drew then came out and said hello to Lucia.
“You’ve been with me and my family for 17 years,” Heidi said. “You took care of me and my kids and I feel like I can never repay you and I know that because of your mom and I know you always wanted to remodel your house so maybe with Drew and Jonathan’s help I can help you pay back, maybe a little.’
“Thanks for everything you do,” Lucia said.
Heidi then showed her the interior of the house.
“It’s so beautiful,” Lucia said. “This is another house, this is not my house.”
“It feels like a new house,” Heidi said.
“I like everything,” Lucia said.
Like new: “I like everything,” Lucia said as they pointed out the changes
Another house: ‘It’s so beautiful,’ Lucia said. “This is another house, this is not my house”
Lucia hugged Heidi.
‘A great surprise and everything is beautiful,’ said Lucia.
Lucia was excited to see her kitchen with the new stove and her very first dishwasher.
“Finally, this is a kitchen with a refrigerator in the kitchen,” Drew said. “It’s a space that will work for her and her family.”
‘I’m so happy,’ Lucia said.
Open space: The renovation opened up the house and illuminated it
Laundry Room: The washer and dryer have been moved inside after being outside
Heidi lay down on the floor and showed Lucia the tile floor she had laid by hand. Lucia and Heidi embraced. Lucia and Heidi then made German meatballs for everyone.
“We love you very much,” Lucia said.
“I love you too,” Heidi said.
Celebrity IOU returns next week on HGTV with Kristin Chenoweth, 54, getting help from Jonathan and Drew on a renovation for her property managers, Audriana and Jenny.