Ty Pennington was a J.Crew Catalog cover model before a serious car accident ended his career

Ty Pennington Modeling Career

Ty Pennington Modeling Career

Ty Pennington/Instagram (2)

Ty Pennington had a taste of success as a model before a serious accident derailed his dream — and fatefully, led him to a career in carpentry.

The Trading Spaces And Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Alum, 58 posted a recreation on Instagram Tuesday of a J. He posted a recreation of a J. Crew catalog cover from 30 years ago, giving hints into his brief modeling career. Pennington, in both photos, is wearing nothing but swim trunks while he holds a razor and prepares to shave.

He said that the vintage photo was taken from his first modeling gig.

“Retrospectively, it is hard to believe that I was there. @jcrew He wrote: “cover.” “This image was the last straw in my hope of becoming a professional “Male Model.” Overnight my career seemed to explode… but alas, fate had other plans.”

He continued, “Only one week later I would be in a horrible car accident — catapulted out of a barreling jeep, sliding across a razor sharp road on my backside. Somehow, I survived… my buttocks sadly did not.”

He recalls that he was given stitches and staples to heal the wounds, but joked that they couldn’t “revive my newfound ‘body’ of work in modeling.”

RELATED: Ty Pennington Celebrates 1-Year Wedding Anniversary with ‘Best Friend’ Kellee Merrell in Sweet Post

Ty Pennington

Ty Pennington

Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Unexpectedly, the HGTV star reveals that he left his portfolio photos in his car unlocked and that someone found them. Inexplicably, he used them as toilet paper.

He writes that he was discouraged and “I hung up one decent headshot, grabbed my trusty toolbag and went back to building and carpentry.”

His handyman skills earned him another star role. “Nine years later, I would be called to audition for Trading Spaces… and the rest is ✨ history ✨,” Pennington concludes.

Pennington’s career began with TLC’s cult-favorite show. It ran from 2000 to 2009. It was relaunched in 2019. Later, Pennington was promoted to the role of host on Extreme Makeover for Home On ABC and later on HGTV, including Ty Breaker And Rock the Block.

RELATED: Ty Pennington Strips Down and Dances to Michael Bolton While Quarantining in a Hotel Room

ty pennington birthday

ty pennington birthday

ty pennington/instagram

Pennington is also enjoying a full and happy personal life. The HGTV star and his spouse, Pennington, were married in November. Kellee MerrellThe 34-year-old couple celebrated their first anniversary.

In an Instagram tribute, Pennington said that marrying his Canadian social media manager was the “best (and most easy) decision of his life.” The caption included a video montage with clips and photos from their 2021 wedding. In the caption, he said that he would recommend marrying his best friend 10/10.

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