Welcome to Military Makeover with Montel®
2024 CBS Family Film and TV Award Winner for ‘Outstanding Reality Show’
Our military servicemen and women boast a proud history and a devoted dedication to serve. They are sworn to uphold the Constitution that guarantees our freedom, making the ultimate sacrifice when we need them most. But what about those who serve? Who serves them when they need our help?
Military Makeover with Montel® offers hope and a helping hand here on the home front to members of our military and their loved ones. Talk show legend and military advocate Montel Williams, a veteran of both the Marine Corps and the Navy, leads the Makeover team’s mission. This special series enlists conscientious designers, contractors, landscapers and other home improvement professionals to transform the homes and lives of military families across the country.
“In the nearly three decades since I retired from the Navy, I’ve never really taken the uniform off because standing up for those who are serving now and those who have served has been the greatest honor of my professional career.”
“In the nearly three decades since I retired from the Navy, I’ve never really taken the uniform off because standing up for those who are serving now and those who have served has been the greatest honor of my professional career.”
Our Leader
Montel began his professional career in the United States Marine Corps, becoming the first black Marine selected to the Naval Academy Prep School to then go on to graduate from the United States Naval Academy and become a commissioned officer. Williams earned a degree in general engineering and a minor in international security affairs and served in the military for nearly 22 years.
He is best known as the Emmy Award-winning host of The Montel Williams Show, which aired nationally for seventeen years. Along with being a New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Montel is a passionate advocate for veterans, education and health.
He serves on the board of directors for the Fisher House Foundation, The Research & Recognition Project and the Anne Romney Center for Neurological Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. In 2024, Montel was awarded the Selfless Service Award given by the Selfless Service Alliance to honor leaders in public service and industry.
The award distinguishes individuals who demonstrate a commitment to supporting veterans, the military, and their families. Montel is thrilled to be a part of Military Makeover, relishing the opportunity to give back to his fellow veterans.
The Crew
Art Edmonds
“I love hosting Military Makeover because I get to see firsthand the impact it makes on out veterans’ lives. Helping to tell their stories has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career”
Art Edmonds is a TV host, spokesperson and voiceover talent with over 25 years of experience. He is currently best known as the co-host of the TV series Military Makeover with Montel airing on Lifetime.
Since the show’s inception, Edmonds teamed with the late, great R.Lee Ermey, famed character actor and veteran, to give a complete home makeover to a deserving wounded U.S. veteran and his family. Now, Art serves on the series alongside talk show legend and prominent veteran advocate Montel Williams to give back to our service men and women.
Art is a versatile talent both on and off the screen. As a National TV spokesperson, he has represented numerous companies and products. Behind the microphone, Art has lent his voice as the narrator for the Discovery Channel’s hit series Caught!, all three seasons of the Nat Geo Wild fan-favorite Swamp Men, the Weather Channel’s docudrama Plane Xtreme, and two seasons of Nat Geo Wild’s acclaimed series Dr. K’s Exotic Animal ER.
Jennifer Bertrand
“Having grown up on military bases, the child of a USAF Colonel, I love giving veterans a breath of fresh air in their homes with the help of our amazing team and volunteers.”
Jennifer Bertrand brings her award-winning expertise and heartfelt passion to Military Makeover with Montel, where she transforms homes for America’s Veterans and their families as a gesture of gratitude for their service. Known for her approachable and impactful design style, Jennifer first captured national attention as the winner of HGTV’s Design Star, showcasing her talent to over 5 million viewers.
Beyond her role on Military Makeover, Jennifer’s work spans a wide array of meaningful projects. She has collaborated with Ronald McDonald House Charities, designing spaces for families in partnership with organizations like the NFL, MLB, and MLS. Her designs include NICU respite spaces at Chicago’s Northwestern Hospital and various projects in Tampa and Houston, all aimed at creating comfort and hope for those in need.
Jennifer’s portfolio extends globally, with projects in Costa Rica, New Zealand, Roatan, and Italy, blending her creative flair with a deep understanding of diverse cultures. She also partners with national brands, serves on Monogram’s Design Council, and contributes as a speaker and podcast host for the NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association).
Recognized for her engaging personality and design expertise, Jennifer is a sought-after national speaker and industry thought leader.
“I can’t call this a job. It’s a habit that I have. But it’s a fun habit that helps my veterans, and anything that helps my veterans, I’m game for. They told me I was retired from the Marine Corps—I just never retired. I just kept working. I associate myself more with these people than I do anybody else in the world. That’s the way it is.”
—R. Lee Ermey, The Gunny
