'Celebrity IOU' Season 4 Episode 4: Ali Wong surprises her best friend with a home makeover
In the newest episode of 'Celebrity IOU,' Ali Wong is feeling especially generous. "I really wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for her," the comic says of her 20-year buddy in a sneak peek from this week's episode of HGTV's hit reality show.
Citadelle, comedian Ali Wong's college classmate, is a working parent who extends her home and heart to everybody. Ali is repaying a favor by remodeling Citadelle's drab basement into her home's party hub with the assistance of Jonathan and Drew. The comedian collaborated with Property Brothers' Jonathan and Drew Scott to help Citadelle, her closest mate of 20 years, rebuild her backyard and basement.
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Wong says the renovation is in part to repay Citadelle for allowing the 'Always Be My Maybe' actor to crash at her and her spouse Victor's honeymoon house for what was supposed to be two weeks when the comedian first relocated to Los Angeles. However, the two weeks easily grew into a whole year.
"You've always just been so giving to me," Wong says. Citadelle and Victor had only recently moved in together, and she had allowed Wong to stay with them for so long. Wong stated, "I'm basically a professional moocher. And if I don't give back to you soon I will not be able to continue mooching." Citadelle also assisted Wong's family during a tough period. Wong recounted a time when her father died and her mother was lonely in San Francisco, so she would travel to Los Angeles. Citadelle not only had the struggling comedian/actor in her second room, but she also had a senior citizen stay with her every weekend, and she didn't mind. "She really is like a sister to me," Wong said.
Citadelle, whom Ali claims isn't a crier, burst into tears as the Scott brothers shocked her with the makeover news. "I can't believe this is my life. I can't believe this is happening," Citadelle remarked. "I honestly feel like she doesn't owe me anything. I feel like her friendship has been such a gift." Citadelle, whom Wong refers to as "the rock" of their friend group, is also a busy parent who manages everything with her husband and children.
The daily to-do list for her is relentless and endless, and Wong believes that the gesture will provide her with much-deserved relief and delight. Wong also stated that she would not be where she is now without Citadelle, and that this is the least she could do for somebody who has given her so much.
Wong's signature mischievous side is on display in the promo for this week's episode, as she pulls down fireplaces and flooring with Jonathan and Drew. The video begins with Jonathan putting on a theatrical announcer voice and saying, "Coming up next, we've got Ali Wong!" Wong shouts and hits a shower wall with a sledgehammer at the same time. She barely makes a dent, which is amusing.
"It's scary, you're like an action hero. You're picking up these huge weapons basically and battling it out with this old a-- wall and these old a-- tiles," she describes the hands-on work. "They're literally glued and cemented to the floor. They're meant to stay there forever. Like that was the person's intention, like it was not to be drilled up by this 5-foot lady trying to do something nice for her friend."
Wong's episodes reveal she was very emotional for her pal. Citadelle describes the occasion as "like sunshine for the first time in a long time," which she seemed to enjoy. The married mother of two quips that it was one of the best four days of her life. "I'm just so touched that you would think of me, and it's completely exceeded anything I could have imagined. It's amazing."
HGTV airs new episodes of 'Celebrity IOU' on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
