HGTV Reveals Surprise Judges & New Twist for 2025 Season of ‘Rock the Block’

The newest season of “Rock the Block” will be full of surprises, including the HGTV debut of “Queer Eye” alum Bobby Berk as a judge. On March 4, 2025, the network announced new details about season 6, including an April 14 premiere date.

Among other surprises in the seven-episode season are the return of former “Good Bones” star Mina Starsiak Hawk as a judge, who last appeared on the HGTV in a three-week 2024 spinoff. Plus, there’s a new twist to the judging process. For the first time, teams won’t tour their finished spaces with the celebrity judges, ensuring “honest assessments of the layouts and design choices” each week, HGTV said.

When filming of the latest season wrapped in November, “Rock the Block” host Ty Pennington hinted on Instagram that changes were coming after fans complained that the judging wasn’t always fair. He told one fan, “There were some changes made. I think you’ll be happy?”

Season 6 of ‘Rock the Block’ Will Pit Veterans Against Rookies

As previously reported, the sixth season of HGTV’s most popular show will pit “Rock the Block” veterans against duos who are rookies on the show. All four duos will each have six weeks and a $250,000 budget to renovate their homes near Salt Lake City.

The veteran duos are longtime HGTV star Alison Victoria paired with past “Rock the Block” winner Michel Smith Boyd, and “Farmhouse Fixer” star Jonathan Knight with his brother and fellow New Kids on the Block member Jordan Knight,” who appeared with him on “Farmhouse Fixer: Camp Revamp” in 2024. The rookie teams consist of two HGTV couples: “Down Home Fab” stars Chelsea and Cole DeBoer, and “Renovation Aloha” stars Kaomhai and Tristyn Kalama.

“I have the best seat in the house to the toughest home renovation competition on television,” Pennington said in a statement. “And for the first time on Rock the Block, returning veteran teams will clash with rookie teams who have something to prove. They’ll test their skills and push their limits for not only bragging rights but, more importantly, to leave a legacy on the block.”

Here’s Every ‘Rock the Block’ Judge & Challenge for Season 6

As in past seasons, competitors will be given a specific space to renovate each week. Celebrity judges then determine a winning duo each week, who receive a cash prize to use on their next challenge.

But during the two-hour season premiere, they’ll have their work cut out for them, as they have to plan and renovate the kitchen, dining and living areas all at once. Berk — a renowned interior designer who left “Queer Eye” in 2023 and was replaced by former HGTV star Jeremiah Brent — will judge the “heart of the home,” deciding which that delivers maximum functionality and style, HGTV said.

Here’s a rundown of the other judges and the spaces they’ll be assessing:

• First-floor areas including the entry, mudroom, powder bath and den will be judged by Starsiak Hawk and “Help! I Wrecked My Home” star Jasmine Roth.
• The primary suite will be judged by “Divided By Design” stars Ray and Eilyn Jimenez.
• The four duos will then judge each others’ second-floor “bonus spaces” which include a playroom, gaming room, office, and wellness retreat. 
• “Battle on the Mountain” alum Kim Myles will judge the “multi-function lower levels,” which the duos will transform in different ways, including the creation of a pickleball court, a cold plunge and sauna, a theater and a wine room. 
• The decks and massive backyard transformations will be judged by season 5 “Rock the Block” champs and “Unsellable Houses” stars Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis.
• Finally, “Property Brothers” and “Celebrity IOU” star Jonathan Scott will view the completed homes and examine the duos’ home exteriors, guest rooms and balconies. He’ll then join Pennington to announce the winner of season 6, with the house determined by real estate experts to deliver the most value.

Mark your calendars — “Rock the Block” season 6 premieres on April 14 at 8 p.m. Eastern time.