diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 94302aa..fb1a455 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ dependencies {
 
 	modImplementation include("net.kyori:adventure-platform-fabric:5.8.0") // for Minecraft 1.19.4
 
+	modImplementation include("net.kyori:adventure-text-serializer-legacy:4.13.1")
+
 	// Uncomment the following line to enable the deprecated Fabric API modules. 
 	// These are included in the Fabric API production distribution and allow you to update your mod to the latest modules at a later more convenient time.
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/land/chipmunk/chipmunkmod/modules/CustomChat.java b/src/main/java/land/chipmunk/chipmunkmod/modules/CustomChat.java
index 0f39dfc..d274541 100644
--- a/src/main/java/land/chipmunk/chipmunkmod/modules/CustomChat.java
+++ b/src/main/java/land/chipmunk/chipmunkmod/modules/CustomChat.java
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import lombok.Getter;
 import lombok.Setter;
 import net.kyori.adventure.text.Component;
 import net.kyori.adventure.text.format.NamedTextColor;
+import net.kyori.adventure.text.serializer.gson.GsonComponentSerializer;
+import net.kyori.adventure.text.serializer.legacy.LegacyComponentSerializer;
 import net.minecraft.client.MinecraftClient;
 import net.minecraft.client.network.ClientPlayNetworkHandler;
 
@@ -40,6 +42,11 @@ public class CustomChat {
                 .replace("\\", "\\\\")
                 .replace("\"", "\\\"");
 
+        final LegacyComponentSerializer serializer = LegacyComponentSerializer.legacyAmpersand();
+
+        final Component deserialized = serializer.deserialize(sanitizedMessage);
+        final String messageWithColor = GsonComponentSerializer.gson().serialize(deserialized);
+
         try {
 //            final MutablePlayerListEntry entry = Players.INSTANCE.getEntry(client.getNetworkHandler().getProfile().getId());
 
@@ -48,11 +55,17 @@ public class CustomChat {
 //            final String prefix = GsonComponentSerializer.gson().serialize(Component.join(JoinConfiguration.separator(Component.empty()), displayNameComponent.children().get(0)));
 //            final String displayName = GsonComponentSerializer.gson().serialize(Component.join(JoinConfiguration.separator(Component.empty()), displayNameComponent.children().get(1)));
 
+            // TODO: make this code not ohio code.,.,
             final String sanitizedFormat = format
 //                        .replace("\"PREFIX\"", prefix)
 //                        .replace("\"DISPLAYNAME\"", displayName)
                     .replace("USERNAME", username)
-                    .replace("MESSAGE", sanitizedMessage);
+
+                    // these 2 lines are toooooo ohio code
+                    .replace("{\"text\":\"MESSAGE\"}", messageWithColor)
+                    .replace("\"extra\":[\"MESSAGE\"],\"color\":", "\"extra\":[" + messageWithColor + "],\"color\":")
+
+                    .replace("MESSAGE", sanitizedMessage.replaceAll("&.", "")); // TODO: make this not use regex
 
             CommandCore.INSTANCE.run("minecraft:tellraw @a " + sanitizedFormat);
         } catch (Exception e) {