Flipping Out: Everyone Jeff Lewis Has Parted Ways With

Mar. 15, 2025

Tyler Meyerkorth (left) and Jeff Lewis on Bravo’s ‘Flipping Out’ reality series in 2018.Photo:Bravo/Getty Images

Bravo/Getty Images

House-flipper and interior designerJeff Lewisbecame well-known from the Bravo reality seriesFlipping Out. For 11 seasons between 2007 and 2018, viewers followed Lewis and his staff working on various projects for his consulting business, Jeff Lewis Design.

From employees who only lasted one episode and those who moved on after years of knowing Lewis, here is everyone the designer parted ways with fromFlipping Out.

01of 17Brant WiwiBrant Wiwi on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2007.BravoDuring the first-ever episode ofFlipping Outin 2007, Lewis went off on Brant Wiwi for pulling over to answer his phone for a personal call during business hours.“When you pull over to take personal phone calls, you’re taking advantage of my time,” Lewis said. “You could be working on the to-do list.” He fired him shortly after.“No, I’m quitting,” Wiwi said during the confrontation, to which Lewis responded, “I fired you before you quit, so you’re fired.”

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Brant Wiwi

Brant Wiwi on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2007.Bravo

During the first-ever episode ofFlipping Outin 2007, Lewis went off on Brant Wiwi for pulling over to answer his phone for a personal call during business hours.

“When you pull over to take personal phone calls, you’re taking advantage of my time,” Lewis said. “You could be working on the to-do list.” He fired him shortly after.

“No, I’m quitting,” Wiwi said during the confrontation, to which Lewis responded, “I fired you before you quit, so you’re fired.”

02of 17Stephen BowmanStephen Bowman on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2007.BravoLewis' infamous flip-out with Stephen Bowman because he kept asking for no onions with his meal was ultimately the downfall of this professional relationship.Bowman often complained about taking out the trash and cleaning up feces from a construction site, which Lewis said were attitude issues that led to his termination.

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Stephen Bowman

Stephen Bowman on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2007.Bravo

Lewis' infamous flip-out with Stephen Bowman because he kept asking for no onions with his meal was ultimately the downfall of this professional relationship.

Bowman often complained about taking out the trash and cleaning up feces from a construction site, which Lewis said were attitude issues that led to his termination.

03of 17Chris ElwoodChris Elwood on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2008.BravoJenni Pulos' ex-husband Chris Elwood was fired during season 2 ofFlipping Outafter Lewis installed a camera to see who had been going into his office and messing around on his computer.“This is not okay,” Lewis said. “This is not something I think we can undo. And I have decided at this point I have to fire you.”

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Chris Elwood

Chris Elwood on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2008.Bravo

Jenni Pulos' ex-husband Chris Elwood was fired during season 2 ofFlipping Outafter Lewis installed a camera to see who had been going into his office and messing around on his computer.

“This is not okay,” Lewis said. “This is not something I think we can undo. And I have decided at this point I have to fire you.”

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Chris Keslar

Chris Keslar on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2008.Bravo

“I really wanted to be the assistant that he needed, but the requirements of the job without some benefits to learn the business just weren’t worth it,” Keslar said.

Lewis apologized to Keslar and admitted to being insensitive sometimes, but ultimately, Keslar still quits. “It sucks,” Lewis said.

05of 17Trace LehnhoffTrace Lehnhoff on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ circa 2009.BravoAfter being hired as an intern right out of design school and later promoted to associate designer, Trace Lehnhoff was let go after Lewis and his then-partner,Gage Edward, went through his computer history to learn he’d been working on a personal project during business hours.

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Trace Lehnhoff

Trace Lehnhoff on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ circa 2009.Bravo

After being hired as an intern right out of design school and later promoted to associate designer, Trace Lehnhoff was let go after Lewis and his then-partner,Gage Edward, went through his computer history to learn he’d been working on a personal project during business hours.

06of 17Sarah BerkmanSarah Berkman on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ circa 2009.BravoEven family isn’t safe from a Lewis firing. Though he said it was one of the hardest terminations, he ultimately fired his sister-in-law because she was stressed and unhappy, which led to her making too many mistakes, including forgetting to write a budget for a client.Lewis pulled out a file of Sarah Berkman’s infractions and said that even though it wasn’t completely full, it was nearly there and he let her go.

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Sarah Berkman

Sarah Berkman on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ circa 2009.Bravo

Even family isn’t safe from a Lewis firing. Though he said it was one of the hardest terminations, he ultimately fired his sister-in-law because she was stressed and unhappy, which led to her making too many mistakes, including forgetting to write a budget for a client.

Lewis pulled out a file of Sarah Berkman’s infractions and said that even though it wasn’t completely full, it was nearly there and he let her go.

07of 17Jett PinkJett Pink on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2011.BravoAlthough Lewis once described Jett Pink as “the best house assistant ever,” he ultimately parted ways with the company sometime between seasons 5 and 6 to pursue other opportunities.

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Jett Pink

Jett Pink on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2011.Bravo

Although Lewis once described Jett Pink as “the best house assistant ever,” he ultimately parted ways with the company sometime between seasons 5 and 6 to pursue other opportunities.

08of 17Katrina StaggKatrina Stagg on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2012.BravoAfter working as an intern for Jeff Lewis Design, Katrina Stagg left during season 6 to pursue a career with Dunn Edwards Paints.

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Katrina Stagg

Katrina Stagg on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2012.Bravo

After working as an intern for Jeff Lewis Design, Katrina Stagg left during season 6 to pursue a career with Dunn Edwards Paints.

09of 17Andrew ColemanAndrew Coleman on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ circa 2014.BravoAfter Lewis caught Andrew Coleman in a series of alleged misrepresentations, including discrepancies on his resume, where he lived and whether or not he owned his apartment, Lewis approached Coleman to make sure he wasn’t a “compulsive liar.“This sparked an explosive episode, in which Coleman told Lewis that what he was asking him to clarify was none of his business.“He said it’s none of my business, but it is my business when you lie to me,” Lewis said before telling Coleman he was starting to doubt everything he’d ever told him.“Then doubt it,” Coleman responded. “It was nice working with you.” Coleman subsequently took off his mic and dropped it on the table before walking out, slamming the door and speeding off in his car as he threw his parking permit out the window.The pair ostensibly made up in the years following, as Coleman appeared on Lewis' SiriusXM radio showJeff Lewis Liveand the designer’s seriesHollywood Houselift with Jeff Lewis.

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Andrew Coleman

Andrew Coleman on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ circa 2014.Bravo

After Lewis caught Andrew Coleman in a series of alleged misrepresentations, including discrepancies on his resume, where he lived and whether or not he owned his apartment, Lewis approached Coleman to make sure he wasn’t a “compulsive liar.”

This sparked an explosive episode, in which Coleman told Lewis that what he was asking him to clarify was none of his business.

“He said it’s none of my business, but it is my business when you lie to me,” Lewis said before telling Coleman he was starting to doubt everything he’d ever told him.

“Then doubt it,” Coleman responded. “It was nice working with you.” Coleman subsequently took off his mic and dropped it on the table before walking out, slamming the door and speeding off in his car as he threw his parking permit out the window.

The pair ostensibly made up in the years following, as Coleman appeared on Lewis' SiriusXM radio showJeff Lewis Liveand the designer’s seriesHollywood Houselift with Jeff Lewis.

10of 17Joe PottsJoe Potts on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ circa 2018.BravoInitially, Lewis hired Joe Potts as a project manager before he moved into a role as an office assistant. Potts later became Jeff’s housekeeper Zoila’s assistant. But after seven months of attempting to find a place at Jeff Lewis Design, he was fired.“I created this position for you that I don’t really need,” Lewis said before telling Potts he was being let go. “And that just made me sad. It made me feel bad.”

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Joe Potts

Joe Potts on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ circa 2018.Bravo

Initially, Lewis hired Joe Potts as a project manager before he moved into a role as an office assistant. Potts later became Jeff’s housekeeper Zoila’s assistant. But after seven months of attempting to find a place at Jeff Lewis Design, he was fired.

“I created this position for you that I don’t really need,” Lewis said before telling Potts he was being let go. “And that just made me sad. It made me feel bad.”

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Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2017.Bravo

“I could say right now, ‘I’m leaving.’ And he wouldn’t f—— cry,” Lewis said. “But Matt says ‘I’m leaving’ and it’s just tears. Tears and hysteria.”

12of 17Ashlyn LeonAshlyn Leon on the Bravo reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2016.BravoAfter working asKendallandKylie Jenner’s assistant for four months, Leon was hired as a design assistant for Jeff Lewis Design. However, Lewis frequently teased Leon about attending music festivals and failing the ultimate test of singing “glow sharks.” She never showed up for work during the premiere of season 10.

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Ashlyn Leon

Ashlyn Leon on the Bravo reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2016.Bravo

After working asKendallandKylie Jenner’s assistant for four months, Leon was hired as a design assistant for Jeff Lewis Design. However, Lewis frequently teased Leon about attending music festivals and failing the ultimate test of singing “glow sharks.” She never showed up for work during the premiere of season 10.

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Taylor Patterson

Taylor Patterson (right) on Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2017.Bravo

After working at Jeff Lewis Design for 89 days, Taylor Patterson decided to send Lewis and Edward a performance review at 12:14 a.m., which began: “I’m approaching 90 days and thought now would be a good time to share with you both where my head is at…also we didn’t talk much about bonus structure when I was first hired.”

Patterson got very offended when he was fired and sent him a nasty e-mail in response, telling Lewis to “Go f— yourself, Jeff. You’re nobody. I fear for your daughter and her bleak chances of growing up to be a decent human being. I feel sorry for Gage too.”

14of 17Vanina AlfaroVanina Alfaro on the Bravo reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2018.BravoDespite Lewis saying he understood her decision to leave and begging her to stay, Vanina Alfaro ultimately decided to pursue her own business ventures.“If you want to ask for the moon, go ahead,” Lewis said during season 10. “When you have a good employee, you fight for them. I have to walk away from this knowing I did everything I could. This is it, this is a last-ditch effort.”

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Vanina Alfaro

Vanina Alfaro on the Bravo reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2018.Bravo

Despite Lewis saying he understood her decision to leave and begging her to stay, Vanina Alfaro ultimately decided to pursue her own business ventures.

“If you want to ask for the moon, go ahead,” Lewis said during season 10. “When you have a good employee, you fight for them. I have to walk away from this knowing I did everything I could. This is it, this is a last-ditch effort.”

15of 17Zoila ChavezZoila Chavez on the Bravo reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2016.BravoLewis' trusted housekeeper of 18 years, Zoila Chavez,retired in August 2017.“It’s been kind of rough,” Lewis told PEOPLE in a phone interview of their parting. “I’m happy for her new life, but of course we were sad over here and we miss her.“Over the years the pair had some serious ups and downs. In season 9, Lewis threatened to fire Chavez for walking out while he was preparing for a business trip.“You better think real carefully about what you’re doing right now because there’ll be no going back,” Lewis warned her in a tense voicemail during the show. “And I promise you — there’ll be no going back.” He didn’t end up firing her at the time.

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Zoila Chavez

Zoila Chavez on the Bravo reality series ‘Flipping Out’ in 2016.Bravo

Lewis' trusted housekeeper of 18 years, Zoila Chavez,retired in August 2017.

“It’s been kind of rough,” Lewis told PEOPLE in a phone interview of their parting. “I’m happy for her new life, but of course we were sad over here and we miss her.”

Over the years the pair had some serious ups and downs. In season 9, Lewis threatened to fire Chavez for walking out while he was preparing for a business trip.

“You better think real carefully about what you’re doing right now because there’ll be no going back,” Lewis warned her in a tense voicemail during the show. “And I promise you — there’ll be no going back.” He didn’t end up firing her at the time.

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Jenni Pulos

Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images

On Sept. 6, 2018, PEOPLE exclusively reported thatPulos and Lewishad ended their 20-year friendship.

“They found fame together so there was always this thought that nothing could tear them apart, but that hasn’t been the case,” a source told PEOPLE. “They’ll never come back from this.It’s over.”

Lewis addressed the issue onJeff Lewis Live, claiming that Pulos filed a complaint for “abuse and victimization,” and he was cleared of those claims before she allegedly reported him for wrongful termination.

“Her making this claim, itput my entire career in jeopardy,” Lewis said. “My family, my livelihood, everything.”

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Tyler Meyerkorth

Portrait of Tyler Meyerkorth from Bravo’s reality series ‘Flipping Out’.Bravo/Getty Images

On Sept. 30, 2020,PEOPLE reported that Lewis had fired Tyler Meyerkorth, his design assistant of four years, after a falling out over a potentially shady sofa purchase.

Lewis addressed the issue onJeff Lewis Live, explaining that he believed Meyerkorth secretly bought the piece of furniture for someone who was not a client of Jeff Lewis Design, but rather a friend or personal client he’d taken on outside the firm.

“I had an employee who was really loyal and I have a lot of respect for, who I consider a friend,” Lewis said. “I had to let the employee go. It was very traumatic.”

source: people.com