For 18 seasons of My Lottery Dream Home, viewers have grown accustomed to the vibrant, high-energy persona of David Bromstad. However, hidden beneath that flawless exterior was a soul scarred by past wounds. In an upcoming special set to premiere on December 19, the 52-year-old star will peel back the curtain on the darkest chapters of his life: from the haunting memories of childhood bullying and the devastation of substance abuse to his relentless battle with mental health.

When a House is More Than Just Bricks

The renovation of David’s sanctuary in Central Florida was never just a professional project; it was a survival therapy. What began as a simple kitchen remodel turned into a total reconstruction after nature intervened. Catastrophic flooding and mold growth forced David to strip the house down to its bare studs.

This period also marked a personal deadlock. The financial strain and emotional exhaustion forced David to halt the project for an entire year to embark on a journey of self-discovery. A transformative trip to his ancestral homeland of Norway became the turning point, allowing him to shed the “perpetually positive” mask and embrace the raw, unfiltered parts of himself.

Art – The Final Lifeline

During his darkest hours, when self-destruction and substance abuse nearly consumed everything, David found salvation in design. He admits: “As a creator, my house was the one thing that was keeping me going.” For David, pouring his soul into the renovation was his way of confronting the trauma of his school years—where he was tormented daily by both peers and administrators.

A New Philosophy Forged with HGTV’s Support

David expresses deep gratitude to HGTV for standing by him even when his journey “wasn’t pretty.” Their unwavering support for him as an openly gay artist struggling with recovery is a testament to the network’s commitment to authenticity.

Today, David has discarded the conventional advice to “never emotionally invest in real estate.” He believes that a home is where breath and memories reside, and therefore, it must be built with the heart. The reveal day of his completed home wasn’t just the end of a four-year project; it was the day David truly began his “happily ever after” surrounded by family and friends.