Kortney Wilson’s journey from country music singer to renowned home renovator is nothing short of fascinating. Alongside her husband of 18 years, Dave, Kortney has been the face of the real estate show Masters of Flip since 2015. Despite their shocking divorce announcement in 2020, the former couple continues to work together, leaving fans wondering how long this arrangement will last. Let’s dive into ten intriguing facts about Kortney Wilson.
1. A Star is Born
Born in Windsor, Ontario on February 8, 1979, Kortney was already performing by the age of 15. One of her first roles was as Annie with Royal City Musical Productions in Guelph. By 19, she had signed a management and publishing deal and teamed up with country music legend Reba McEntire.
2. Strumming the Strings of Success
In 2001, Kortney released her first two singles under the name Kortney Kayle. “Unbroken by You” was the most successful, reaching number 50 in the charts. Although a full album never materialized, she continued working in the industry, co-writing Ryan Tyler’s hit single “Run, Run, Run” in 2003. That same year, she and Dave Wilson (also a country artist) were released from their record contracts and met for the first time. They began performing together and were signed to Open Road Recordings as The Wilsons, but were dropped after a couple of years.
3. The Wilsons’ First TV Adventure
Masters of Flip wasn’t the Wilsons’ first TV appearance. In 2009, they starred in Meet the Wilsons, an 8-part series that followed their last attempt at making it in country music. The series aired between September 2009 and May 2010, ending after the first season.
4. Kortney and Dave: A Love Story
Kortney and Dave began dating in 2003 and soon started a family. They have three children: Lennox Esmee, Jett Wilson, and Sullivan James. In December 2019, they announced their separation after 18 years of marriage, sharing the news on Instagram.
5. Flipping Their Way to Success
After realizing their country music dreams might not come true, Kortney and Dave turned their attention to flipping houses. They had already made a $30,000 profit after renovating their first house and continued flipping part-time. Eventually, they decided to commit fully to the business.
6. Becoming the Masters of Flip
With their successful business, Kortney and Dave were approached by the W Network to star in a new TV show about buying, renovating, and flipping houses. Masters of Flip premiered in 2015 and quickly gained popularity. It has been nominated for Best Lifestyle Program or Series at the 4th and 5th Canadian Screen Awards and currently airs on HGTV in North America and other countries.
7. Learning to Compromise
Kortney, a self-confessed Type A personality, has learned to compromise with her children’s untidiness. She charges them $3 every time she has to pick up their laundry, but admits to folding their blankets herself if they don’t. In an interview with This Mom Loves, she shared her appreciation for her family’s differing priorities.
8. A Pescatarian Lifestyle
Kortney is a pescatarian, with her love for sushi preventing her from going full vegetarian. She also enjoys Greek salad and admits that wine is her go-to drink for solving problems on a Saturday night.
9. Championing Adoption
Kortney has always been passionate about adoption and even presented it as an ultimatum to Dave early in their relationship. After the birth of their second child, they adopted Lennox. Kortney is an active advocate for adoption and serves as an Adoption Ambassador with the Adoption Council of Canada.
10. The Art of Naming Projects
In a feature for Trnto, Kortney revealed her unique habit of naming her projects, such as “Colorful Queen Annie.” She explained that it helps define the direction of the project and ensures a consistent flow from room to room.
Follow Us
