Who Is Cory Miller From Good Bones?
The stars of HGTV's "Good Bones" are undoubtedly mother-daughter duo and real-life business partners Karen Laine and Mina Starsiak-Hawk. However, as capable as these two ladies demonstrably are, their impressive renovations couldn't happen without the hard work of a team of talented people, all of whom share the duo's love of their hometown, Indianapolis, where the show is set. Many of these employees are coming to the fore in their own right too. In particular, project manager Cory Miller.
The lovable, hands-on team player started out working for Two Chicks and a Hammer, the business founded by Laine and Starsiak-Hawk, long before HGTV came calling. As Distractify notes, Miller tends to stand out onscreen because he frequently works as Starsiak-Hawk's right-hand man, as well as alongside her brother, Tad Starsiak. "Good Bones" might be his calling card for years to come, but Miller is an impressive guy in his own right too — even if his pet pig tends to be more of a scene-stealer.
Is Cory related to Mina and Karen?
Although many of the stars of "Good Bones" are related, most notably its two leads, Cory Miller is technically an outsider. But he's treated just like family, thanks to Miller's close relationship with Tad Starsiak and his sister/co-host Mina Starsia-Hawk; according to Screen Rant, Miller has known the family since high school.
Speaking of family, fans of Miller will already be enamored by his adorable pet pig, Christopher Wallace Miller (Topher for short) who is so beloved he even has his own Instagram account. Miller clearly loves his job, as exhibited by the many work-related and behind-the-scenes shots he frequently posts on Instagram.
As The Cinemaholic notes, aside from little gentleman Topher, Miller also takes care of several dogs and cats and even has a load of chickens at home. He also reportedly fosters rescue animals, assisting with the adoption process alongside local organizations to ensure they end up in loving homes.
Why is Cory Miller called Toey?
Sadly, Season 8 of "Good Bones" is its last, as star Mina Starsiak-Hawk revealed during an episode of her podcast, "Mina AF," entitled "And That's a Wrap...Or Is It?" As she acknowledged, "It's the end of an era," adding, "I mean, I had to say goodbye to some people today that I have spent my last almost 10 years with."
Cory Miller appears on the show until the end but it remains to be seen whether he'll continue working with the Two Chicks and a Hammer business owners otherwise. However, if this really is the end, the contractor will likely ditch his sweet nickname, "Toey," which longtime fans of the HGTV show will have heard many times.
Miller confirmed in the comments of an Instagram post that the crew refers to him that way because: "Mina's niece Julie couldn't pronounce my name so we just rolled with it." Does the end of "Good Bones" also spell the end of Toey? We'll have to wait and see.
Is Cory from Good Bones married?
In August 2020, The Cinemaholic reported that Cory Miller was in a serious relationship with a nurse named Shelby Lynn Wade. They shared several animals, including Miller's pet pig and multiple dogs. However, the links to the Instagram posts featuring the couple appear to have been taken down, suggesting Miller and Wade may have broken up.
The HGTV star tends to post more about work than anything else, but in September 2022, he posed for a couple of shots with his brand-new Shih Tzu alongside a woman named Kayla Gould. Her profile is set to private but fans in the comments speculated that she might be his girlfriend (it's worth noting Miller also used "we" in his caption).
A follow-up post, again featuring the cute little ball of fluff, referred to "my humans," suggesting there was more than one person looking after the dog, whose dedicated Instagram says likewise, tagging them both. Miller doesn't seem like the type to gush about his romantic relationships online so, for the time being at least, his marital status remains a mystery. Or maybe Topher is the love of his life?
Does Cory still work for Two Chicks and a Hammer?
According to LinkedIn, Cory Miller left Two Chicks and a Hammer in 2021. That very same year, he launched his own business, Miller Built LLC, which specializes in "new construction, rehab, additions, kitchen/ bathroom remodel, & project management." Miller is listed as the company's independent owner. In June 2023, he announced a partnership on Instagram with Momentum Realty, so both groups could expand their services. The "Good Bones" fan favorite enthused: "Our collaboration combines Momentum Realty's expertise in real estate with Miller Built's renowned remodeling skills."
He continued, "Together, we aim to revolutionize the industry by providing comprehensive solutions that enhance property value and empower homeowners to build equity." Miller also joined forces with local business Eaker & Oak to stock the furniture in one of his corporate rentals. In another post, a commenter wondered whether Miller had fallen out with Mina Starsiak-Hawk but he clarified that there was absolutely no bad blood there.
The project manager still features heavily in Season 8, with Starsiak-Hawk confirming to Collider that the show simply wouldn't be the same without him. In fact, viewers don't get to see half of what goes on during their onscreen renovation jobs. "Cory and I have known each other since he was 11, and there's always more," she said, adding, "Cory knows how to push my buttons. I will say that for sure." With any luck, these two aren't done annoying each other while creating beautiful properties just yet.