The Truth About Gage Edward And Jeff Lewis' Relationship
Former Bravolebrities Jeff Lewis and Gage Edward announced their separation in January 2019 after 10 years together, during which time they welcomed a daughter, Monroe, via surrogate. Although Jeff expressed hope that the two would reunite, especially since Gage still worked with the Jeff Lewis Design team for a while post-split, it ultimately wasn't meant to be. "I don't want to be your friend," the Flipping Out alum recalled during a February 2019 episode of Jeff Lewis Live about telling Gage he needed space (via The Daily Dish). "I don't want to hang out with you. I don't want to pretend like we're some happy family anymore and go to breakfast or frozen yogurt together. I want to spend time with Monroe independent of you."
Jeff and Gage have since dated other people, and they appeared to successfully co-parent Monroe, who was born in 2016. But just when you thought these two had found a groove, things went downhill fast. We won't divulge all the drama just yet, but let's just say it involves a custody dispute, multiple lawsuits, and public fights.
So put on your hard hat, folks, because the truth of this breakup is dicier than an active construction zone.
Gage Edward claims Jeff Lewis owes him money
In March 2020, Gage Edward sued Jeff Lewis for $125,000, claiming his ex didn't pay back a personal loan. Gage alleged he sold a vehicle he owned debt-free back to the dealership so he could help finance Jeff's "real estate projects and his business" in 2016, per documents obtained by The Blast. The real estate mogul, who agreed to pay interest on the loan, returned $50,000 ($25,000 was interest) of the funds to Gage, although he requested another $50,000 loan in 2018. Gage gave Jeff the money, and in December 2019, $25,000 had been paid back.
Although Jeff agreed to a payment plan, Gage alleged he missed the scheduled payments.
"I had four major multimillion-dollar homes under construction," Jeff said about the loan during an episode of his radio show. "I was strapped for cash, and he lent me money. So this was all supposed to be handled in the global settlement." He added, "For some reason, Gage has decided to hire a third attorney and reach out. I received a letter last week that they were going to potentially file a lawsuit in attempts to recover [the] alleged loan."
Jeff said he hasn't paid back the loan because "it is not the same amount" Gage claims. He also alleges the interior designer ex owes him a "significant amount of money."
Ah, a classic case of he said, he said.
Jeff Lewis and Gage Edward disagree over Monroe
During a February 2020 episode of his radio show, Jeff Lewis revealed that Gage Edward requested shared custody of their daughter, per The Daily Dish. He also requested the little girl's name be changed from Monroe Christine Lewis to Monroe Christine Edward Lewis, a move Jeff called "crazy." His reasoning? Edward is Gage's middle name and is a moniker he has used professionally. Jeff said that if Monroe's name is changed, she'll "have to re-learn it."
Jeff also speculated about the reasoning behind Gage's lawsuits, explaining, "I believe it's about money, but I also believe it's about punishing me. I think it's about hurting me, it's about punishing me." He added, "He knows how much I love Monroe. He knows that he's wrecking me. I think that it really has nothing to do with her best interest, nothing. I think it's about punishing me, I think it's about wrecking me, and I think it's about profiting."
As for Gage, he told People, To address the derogatory and slanderous statements being made about me would be putting my interest above our daughter's. The situation is being exploited for attention, which is sad because that ultimately only affects our daughter later. What I will say is that there are gross mistruths in the majority of what's been said."