Here’s why ‘Flip It Like Disick’ star Willa Ford was ‘hesitant’ about working with Scott Disick

Willa Ford and Scott Disick have a lot more in common than people may realize.

Both star on E!’s new house-flipping show, “Flip It Like Disick,” which follows Disick’s highly successful venture into real estate and how Ford uses her interior design expertise to bolster that success. But, to get to this point, both stars had wildly different paths that ultimately share similar qualities.

As a breakout pop star of the early ’00s with her Top 40 hit, “I Wanna Be Bad,” Ford was well on her way to continued popularity in mainstream music before several ups and downs led her to quitting the music business altogether, going into acting and then unexpectedly pivoting into design. 

SEE ALSO: Scott Disick reveals ‘the truth’ behind his new show ‘Flip It Like Disick’

Disick, on the other hand, rose to fame as Kourtney Kardashian’s club-going other half and fathering three children with the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star, before splitting from Kourtney, stumbling into a bad boy narrative for several years and then cleaning up his act. 

For both of them, “Flip It Like Disick” is an opportunity for “redemption,” as Ford told AOL’s Gibson Johns during her recent BUILD Series interview.

“Similarly, we have that path. When we talked about starting the show, we both knew that this was something that we wanted [viewers] to see the other side of both of us,” she explained. “We definitely have that in common, and it has not been an easy ride for either of us, but I do think this show will give people a little insight into that.”

12 PHOTOSWilla Ford out and aboutSee GalleryWilla Ford out and aboutNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 31: Willa Ford attends the Build Series to discuss “Flip It Like Disick” at Build Studio on July 31, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/Getty Images)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 31: Willa Ford attends the Build Series to discuss “Flip It Like Disick” at Build Studio on July 31, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/Getty Images)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 01:Willa Ford visits “Extra” to discuss the E! reality series “Flip it Like Disick” at The Levi’s Store Times Square on August 01, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 01:Willa Ford visits “Extra” to discuss the E! reality series “Flip it Like Disick” at The Levi’s Store Times Square on August 01, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIFORNIA – JULY 25: Singer / Actress Willa Ford visits Hallmark’s “Home & Family” at Universal Studios Hollywood on July 25, 2019 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIFORNIA – JULY 25: Singer / Actress Willa Ford visits Hallmark’s “Home & Family” at Universal Studios Hollywood on July 25, 2019 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)THERMAL, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 27: Willa Ford attends The Neon Carnival with “POKÉMON Detective Pikachu” and The LG Mobile Experience on April 27, 2019 in Thermal, California. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for LG)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JUNE 01:Singer Willa Ford attends Step Up’s 14th Annual Inspiration Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on June 1, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic)PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 26: Willa Ford attends Boots & Brunch by Jessie James Decker and JustFab at Avalon Hotel Palm Springs on April 26, 2019 in Palm Springs, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for JustFab.com)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JUNE 01:Willa Ford attends Step Up’s 14th Annual Inspiration Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on June 1, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JUNE 02:Singer Willa Ford arrives at the 14th Annual Inspiration Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 2, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 30:Willa Ford and Ryan Nece attend the #BrandlessLife Pop-Up With Purpose on April 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Brandless)Up Next

See Gallery

As far as how their paths initially even crossed, Ford told BUILD that it was simply “through a friend” who had recommended her for her interior design work 

“I don’t think it even dawned on him [that I used to be a] pop singer, at all [because] enough time had passed. So, I did a couple things for him, and he was really happy,” she recalled. “Cut to a while later, he called me and he said, ‘Hey, I’m doing this show and I would love to bring you on as part of the team. I’d love for you to consider it.’ After many conversations within my home, we decided to move forward.”

SEE ALSO: Khloe Kardashian and Scott Disick recall their craziest moments together: Watch!

For Ford, who shares son, Elijah, 2, with former NFL star Ryan Nece, those conversations stemmed from whether or not she wanted to give up her “normal” life away from the public eye in order to step back into the spotlight, albeit in a totally different capacity.

“I was really young the first time around that I was in the spotlight, and I had grown accustomed to bring pretty normal,” she said. “You know, having my husband and — he’s almost three now — my child, I knew it was going to take a little time away from my family, and I knew it could put me under a spotlight again for good or for bad.”

“My husband reminded me: You aren’t even the same human anymore,” she said of what it took for her to ultimately decide to sign on for “Flip It Like Disick.”

44 PHOTOSScott Disick out and aboutSee GalleryScott Disick out and aboutLAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 23:Scott Disick arrives at ARIA Resort & Casino on March 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for JEWEL Nightclub)LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 08: Scott Disick and Sofia Richie are seen on March 08, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by BG002/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 01:ET Canada Host Sangita Patel interviews Scott Disick during the celebration of The 5 year Anniversary Of The Concierge Club at The Globe and Mail Centre on February 1, 2018 in Toronto, Canada.(Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage)TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 01:Scott Disick attends the celebration of The 5 year Anniversary Of The Concierge Club at The Globe and Mail Centre on February 1, 2018 in Toronto, Canada.(Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage)LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 28: Sofia Richie and Scott Disick are seen on December 28, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by BG008/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 13: Sofia Richie and Scott Disick are seen on December 13, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 08:Sofia Richie and Scott Disick are seen during Art Week Party at Sugar Factory American Brasserie on December 8, 2017 in Miami, Florida.(Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sugar Factory)MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 08:Scott Disick is seen during Art Week Party at Sugar Factory American Brasserie on December 8, 2017 in Miami, Florida.(Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sugar Factory)MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 08:Sofia Richie and Scott Disick are seen during Art Week Party at Sugar Factory American Brasserie on December 8, 2017 in Miami, Florida.(Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sugar Factory)MIAMI BEACH, FL – DECEMBER 07:Sofia Richie (L) and Scott Disick attend Haute Living’s VIP Pop-Up opening of Alec Monopoly from Art Life and David Yarrow from Maddox Gallery at Fleur De Lis Ballroom, Fontainebleau Miami Beach on December 7, 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida.(Photo by Romain Maurice/Getty Images for Haute Living)MIAMI BEACH, FL – DECEMBER 06:Scott Disick and Sofia Richie attend DuJour’s Jason Binn And WellNEST Celebrate Miami Beach’s Art Basel Kick-Off at The Confidante on December 6, 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida.(Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Dujour)NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 20:Scott Disick go clubbing on October 20, 2017 in New York City.(Photo by Gotham/GC Images)BELLEVUE, WA – OCTOBER 13:Scott Disick enjoys signature donuts at Sugar Factory American Brassiere on October 13, 2017 in Bellevue, Washington.(Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for Sugar Factory American Brasserie)BELLEVUE, WA – OCTOBER 13:Scott Disick visits the Sugar Factory American Brassiere on October 13, 2017 in Bellevue, Washington.(Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for Sugar Factory American Brasserie)NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 08:Scott Disick and Kris Jenner are seen walking in Soho on September 8, 2017 in New York City.(Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 15: Sofia Richie and Scott Disick are seen on September 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by BG002/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 07:Scott Disick attends Kith Sport fashion show during New York Fashion Week at the Classic Car Club on September 7, 2017 in New York City.(Photo by Chance Yeh/Getty Images)NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 07:Scott Disick and Kris Jenner are seen walking around the Bergdorf Goodman Store on 5th Av on September 7, 2017 in New York City.(Photo by Pierre Suu/GC Images)NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Scott Disick gets dinner at Estiatorio Milos on September 06, 2017 in New York, New York.(Photo by Josiah Kamau/BuzzFoto via Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 02:Scott Disick is seen on September 2, 2017 in Los Angeles, California(Photo by SMXRF/Star Max/GC Images)ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – AUGUST 04:Scott Disick hosts The Pool After Dark at Harrah’s Resort on Friday August 4, 2017 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.(Photo by Tom Briglia/ WireImage)NEW YORK – AUGUST 02: Kim Kardashian and Scott Disick get lunch at Cipriani and shop at ‘Off White’ new store in Soho on August 02, 2017 in New York, New York.(Photo by Josiah Kamau/BuzzFoto via Getty Images)NEW YORK, NY – JULY 31:Scott Disick is seen in SoHo on July 31, 2017 in New York City.(Photo by Gotham/GC Images)LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 23:Television personality Scott Disick hosts a night out at 1 OAK Nightclub at The Mirage Hotel & Casino on July 23, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Photo by Bryan Steffy/WireImage)LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 22:Television personality Scott Disick hosts a pool party at the LIQUID Pool Lounge at the Aria Resort & Casino on July 22, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Photo by Bryan Steffy/WireImage)LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 10:Television personality Scott Disick attends the daytime party at the LIQUID Pool Lounge at the Aria Resort & Casino on June 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Photo by David Becker/WireImage)LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 02: Scott Disick is seen at LAX on June 02, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by starzfly/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 22: Scott Disick and Bella Thorne are seen at LAX on May 22, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by starzfly/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 20:Ttelevision personality Scott Disick celebrates his birthday at 1 OAK Nightclub at The Mirage Hotel & Casino on May 20, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Photo by Bryan Steffy/WireImage)LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 12: Scott Disick is seen on April 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by BG002/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 20:(L-R) Cooper Mount, Connor Treacy, television personality Scott Disick, a Liquid Pool Lounge employee and recording artist Everybody Knows LO celebrate Disick’s birthday at the Liquid Pool Lounge at the Aria Resort & Casino on May 20, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/WireImage)LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 03:Scott Disick and Robin Leach attend Sugar Factory Las Vegas Grand Opening on March 3, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas)LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 18:Scott Disick hosts Sugar Factory Las Vegas Grand Opening on March 18, 2017 in Las Vegas, NV(Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas)LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 09:Scott Disick is seen on February 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, CA.(Photo by gotpap/Star Max/GC Images)LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 03: Scott Disick is seen on March 03, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by BG002/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 28: Scott Disick is seen on November 28, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by BG001/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 16: Scott Disick is seen on November 16, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by BG002/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 30:Television personality Scott Disick arrives at 1 OAK Nightclub at The Mirage Hotel & Casino to host an ‘American Psycho’ Halloween party on October 30, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Photo by Mindy Small/FilmMagic)LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 17:Scott Disick is seen on October 17, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by gotpap/Star Max/GC Images)LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 13: Scott Disick is seen on October 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by BG002/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 20: Scott Disick is seen on September 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by BG012/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 12: Scott Disick and Kendall Jenner seen on October 12, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by BG001/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 02:Scott Disick arrives at 1 OAK Las Vegas in the Mirage Hotel and Casino on September 2, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Photo by Denise Truscello/WireImage)LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 13:Television personality Scott Disick arrives at 1 OAK Nightclub at The Mirage Hotel & Casino on August 13, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Photo by Mindy Small/FilmMagic)Up Next

See Gallery

Another aspect of the gig that gave her pause was simply the fact that it involved working so closely with Disick, who, as mentioned above, hasn’t had the cleanest track record over the years. Regardless of her hesitation, however, the former pop star said that working with the father of three has “been fantastic.”

“I was a little hesitant at first to see where this would lead, but there is a mutual respect. I respect him. I try not to have preconceived notions about what we all know of him from the past, moving forward into this [with him] as a client,” Ford said at BUILD Series. “I treated him with respect, and I think he did the same. No preconceived notions about me, really taking me seriously as a designer, and I think that mutual respect works really well for us on the show.”

“People ask me all the time what he’s like, and Scott is actually quite mellow in real life,” she went on. “His friends are actually the fire. [Laughs] He’s quite mellow, but he’s very witty and very funny and that’s unexpected in a dry way. I’m not sure that’s always come across the way he needed it to, but I think on the show you really see that.”

“Flip It Like Disick” premieres on E! on Sunday, August 4, at 9 p.m. EST.

Watch Willa Ford’s full BUILD Series interview below:

Source: Read Full Article